traction control FORD MUSTANG 2003 4.G Owners Manual

Brakes 138
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 142
Transmission operation 144
Vehicle loading 154
Trailer towing 156
Roadside Emergencies 157
Getting roadside assistance 157
Hazard flasher switch 158
Fuel pump shut-off switch 159
Fuses and relays 160
Changing tires 165
Jump starting 170
Wrecker towing 175
Customer Assistance 176
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 186
Cleaning 187
Maintenance and Specifications 194
Engine compartment 197
Engine oil 199
Battery 203
Fuel information 214
Part numbers 237
Refill capacities 238
Lubricant specifications 240
Accessories 245
Index 248
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Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
2

These are some of the symbols you may see on your
vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat
Installation WarningChild Seat Tether
Anchorage
Brake SystemAnti-Lock Brake
System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum
BasedTraction Control
AdvanceTracMaster Lighting
Switch
Hazard Warning
FlasherFog Lamps-Front
Fuse CompartmentFuel Pump Reset
Windshield
Wash/WipeWindshield
Defrost/Demist
Rear Window
Defrost/DemistPower Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window
LockoutChild Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Introduction
8

Low fuel
Illuminates when the
fuel level in the fuel
tank is at, or near,
empty (refer toFuel
gaugein this chapter for more information).
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the
overdrive function has
been turned OFF using
the transmission control switch (TCS) on the
gearshift. If the light does not come on or the light
flashes steadily, have your vehicle serviced as soon
as possible, damage to the transmission could occur.
Traction Controlactive
Illuminates when the
Traction Control

system is active. It will
be lit for a minimum of
four seconds or for the duration of the Traction
Control
event.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
To confirm the
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light is
functional it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned
to the ON position (alternatively for some vehicles
when the ignition is moved from the ON position to
the START position, the light will momentarily
illuminate just prior to reaching the START
position). If the light remains on, continues to flash
or fails to illuminate, have the ABS serviced
immediately. If the ABS light remains on, it means
the anti-lock brake system has malfunctioned and is
disabled, however, the normal brake system will still
function unless the brake warning light also remains
LOW
FUEL
O/D
OFF
ABS
Instrument Cluster
13

through the booster may be heard whenever the
brake is applied. This condition is normal. Vehicle
service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes
very poor, even when the pedal is strongly
depressed, it may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle
safely as soon as possible and seek service
immediately.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to decrease
the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power
steering pump fluid level below the MIN mark on
the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
TRACTION CONTROL
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Control
system. This system helps you
maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery road
Driving
142

surfaces.The system operates by detecting and
controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical elements already
present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to
be detected by the Traction Control
portion of the
ABS computer. Any excessive wheel spin is
controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems.
This process is very sensitive to driving conditions
and very fast acting. The rear wheels“search”for
optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Control
system will allow your
vehicle to make better use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which
makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on
snow, ice covered and gravel roads.
During Traction
Control
operation,
the traction control
active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of
sound coming from the engine compartment and the
engine will not“rev-up”when you push further on
the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
The Traction Control

on/off switch, located
below the radio,
illuminates when the
system is OFF. The
Traction Control
system will revert to the ON
position every time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a
very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Control
system off. This may allow excess wheel
spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking”maneuver.
Driving
143

If a system fault is detected the OFF indicator lamp
on the traction control switch will be illuminated and
your vehicle should be serviced.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a poor
traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s
specified size tires on a Traction-Lok rear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal
driving and should not be noticeable to the driver.
To reduce the risk of injury, never run the
engine with one wheel off the ground, such
as when changing a tire.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being
moved from P (Park) when the ignition is in the ON
position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park) with ignition in the ON position and the
brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the
brake pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
In the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from
the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement,
always set the parking brake.
Driving
144

To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided
on the fuse panel cover.
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 20A Cigar lighter
2 20A Engine controls
3—Not used
4 10A Right-hand low beam headlamp
5 15A Instrument cluster, Traction
control switch
6 20A Starter motor relay
7 15A GEM, Interior lamps
8 20A Engine controls
9 30A Mach 460 subwoofers
10 10A Left—hand low beam headlamp
11 15A Back-up lamps
12—Not used
13 15A Electronic flasher
14—Not used
15 15A Power lumbar
SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR FUSE INFO
4212345
76891011
131214151617
191820212223
252426272829
313032333435
373638394041
43
44
Roadside Emergencies
161

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
New vehicles are fitted
with tires that have a
rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades.
The Quality grades can
be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by
standards that the United States Department of
Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality
grades:The U.S. Department of Transportation
requires Ford to give you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the government has
written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climates.
Maintenance and Specifications
232

Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA,
A, B, and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A
and B represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Maintenance and Specifications
233

Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier for the driver to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving
at very high speeds for extended periods of time
may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade
as the tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to
provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some
climates, you may need to use snow tires and
chains. Use chains on the tires only in an emergency
or if the law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
•Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
•Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage your vehicle.
•SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
236