1997 FORD MUSTANG maintenance

209
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet be performed for
the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise,
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216
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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Neveruse:
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ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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[MC06400( ALL)03/96]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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one third page art:0060618-C
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NOTE: Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life.
If a replacement oil filter is used that
does not meet Ford material and design
specifications, startup engine noises or
knock may be experienced. It is
recommended you use the appropriate
ªMotorcraftº oil filter (or another brand
meeting Ford specifications) for your
engine application.
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Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
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NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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224as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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Checking Hoses
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Inspect all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. Repair or replace with
Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
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Adding Engine Coolant
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RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
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If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
[MC13200(MBC )05/96]
RWARNING
Never remove the radiator cap or vent
plug while the engine is running or hot.
[MC13400(MBC )05/96]
Follow these steps to avoid personal injury that
can be caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant.
[MC13500(MBC )12/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the
radiator cap or vent plug.
[MC13700(MBC )05/96]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to unscrew.
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3. Step back while the pressure releases.
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4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it counterclockwise, and remove
it.
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half page art:0011388-AFluid level for power steering
[MC21100(MBC )05/96]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification MerconHATF XT-2-QDX or an
equivalent.
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NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do
not drive your vehicle for a long
period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering
pump.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
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Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the
transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
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237
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Manual Transmission Fluid
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The fluid level and quality should not
deteriorate under normal driving conditions.
However, it is suggested that you have the fluid
level checked occasionally. If fluid is required,
seeLubricant Specificationsin the Index.
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Battery
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Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
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The Low-Maintenance Battery has removable
vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and
for adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte
level should be checked at least every 24 months
or 24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up
to 90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore often in temperatures
above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the electrolyte level in
each cell up to the level indicator. Do not
overfill.
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If the level gets low, you can add tap water to
the battery, provided the water isn't hard or
doesn't have a high mineral or alkali content.
However, if possible you should refill the battery
with distilled water. If the battery needs water
quite often, have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
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RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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Tire Rotation
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Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
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For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
[MC26300(M )12/95]
half page art:0010378-C
Rotating the tires
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