FORD MUSTANG 2004 4.G Owners Manual

Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts.
For more information on safety belts and their
proper usage, refer to theSeating and Safety
Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical
accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the
parking brake is set.
•Make sure the
gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle
with a manual
transmission:
1. Make sure the
parking brake is set.
2. Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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•Turn the key to 4
(ON) without
turning the key to 5
(START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
1
2
34
5
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
2. Turn the key to 5
(START), then release
the key as soon as the
engine starts.
Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five
seconds on the first try, turn the key to 3 (OFF),
wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try
again; this will allow the engine to crank with the
fuel shut off in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant
which aids in starting and heater/defroster
performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23°C (-10°F) or below. For
best results, plug the heater in at least three hours
before starting the vehicle. The heater can be
plugged in the night before starting the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not
use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
3
2
1
5
4
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped
for a long period of time, open the windows at least
2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal,
continuous grinding or continuous squeal sound is
present, the brake linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified service
technician. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Refer toBrake system
warning lightin the
Instrument Cluster
chapter for information
on the brake system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS). This system helps you
maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the
ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation may be
observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or
mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
The ABS lamp in the
instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the ABS may be
disabled and may need to be serviced.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Even when the ABS is
disabled, normal
braking is still effective.
(If your BRAKE
warning lamp illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced
immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous
force on the brake pedal; do not pump the brake
pedal since this will reduce the effectiveness of the
ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately,
allowing you to retain full steering control during
hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However, the
ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
Hydraulic brake booster system (Hydroboost)
(if equipped)
The Hydroboost system receives fluid pressure from
the power steering pump to provide power assist
during braking.
For Hydroboost-equipped vehicles operating under
normal conditions, the noise of the fluid flowing
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.
P!
BRAKE
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Parking brake
To set the parking
brake (1), pull the
parking brake handle
up as far as possible.
The BRAKE warning
lamp will illuminate and
will remain illuminated
until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the
handle up slightly, then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest
turning points (until it stops) for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low 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, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
12
P!
BRAKE
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may
also make the steering seem to wander/pull.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction
Control
system. This system helps you maintain
the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or
ice-covered roads and gravel roads. The system will
allow your vehicle to make better use of available
traction in these conditions.
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 and
should be no reason for concern.
The Traction Control

switch, located below
the radio, illuminates
when the system is off.
The Traction Control

system will
automatically turn on 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.
The traction control on/off status is shown by an
indicator lamp on the traction control switch. If the
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system is off, the indicator will be illuminated. If a
system fault is detected while the traction control
system in on, the indicator lamp on the traction
control switch will be illuminated and your vehicle
should be serviced.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions
can cause you to lose control of your vehicle
increasing the risk of severe personal injury or
property damage. The occurrence of a Traction
Control
event is an indication that at least some
of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the
road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If you experience a severe road event,
SLOW DOWN.
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.
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 the 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.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the
brake pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
When the key is in the ignition and in the
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.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift lever, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and remove
the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive
transmission with console gearshift and O/D off
switch
Your transmission is equipped with an adaptive
learning strategy found in the vehicle computer. This
feature is designed to increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the
vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may have firm
and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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normal and will not affect function or durability of
the transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning
process will fully update transmission operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected
or a new battery installed, the strategy must be
relearned.
Your automatic
overdrive transmission
provides fully
automatic operation in
either D (Overdrive) or
with the O/D OFF
switch depressed.
Driving with the
gearshift lever in D
(Overdrive) gives the
best fuel economy for
normal driving
conditions. For manual control, start in 1 (First) and
then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress
the brake pedal, then move gearshift lever out of P
(Park). Once you place the gearshift lever securely
into position, gradually release the brake pedal and
use the accelerator as necessary.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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