1997 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

162
*
[GF05500( ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[GF06430(M )03/96]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary
depending on which type of transmission your
vehicle has.
[GF06460(M )03/96]
q
an automatic overdrive transmission with
transmission control switch
*
[GF06490(M )03/96]
q
a manual transmission
%
*
[GF06500( ALL)12/95]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[GF06600(MBC )12/95]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
%*
[GF06800( ALL)02/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[GF06900( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[GF07100(MBC )04/96]
To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to the ON position and the
shift lever thumb button must be pushed in.
*
[GF07200( ALL)12/95]
To operate:
*
[GF07300( ALL)12/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[GF07400( ALL)12/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[GF07500( ALL)12/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[GF07600( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

163
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[GF07700( ALL)12/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
*
[GF07800( ALL)12/95]
2. Apply parking brake.
*
[GF07900( ALL)04/96]
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position.
*
[GF08000( ALL)01/96]
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[GF08100( ALL)03/96]
WARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
*
[GF08200( ALL)03/96]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin
this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
[GF08300(MBC )12/95]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock in P
(Park) when you turn the key to the LOCK
position. When the gearshift is in any position
except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be
turned to LOCK or removed from the steering
column. TO REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift
lever must be in P (Park).
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

164 % [GF08500(M )04/96]
half page art:0010306-EThe positions of the console-mounted gearshift
*
[GF08700( ALL)01/96]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
%*
[GF08800( ALL)01/96]
R (Reverse)
*
[GF08900( ALL)01/96]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[GF09000( ALL)01/96]
N (Neutral)
[GF09100( ALL)12/95]
As in P (Park), there is no power transferred
through the transmission. However, the final
drive is not locked so the wheels are free to
rotate. The vehicle may be started in the N
position, but the ignition key cannot be
removed.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

165 %
*
[GF09200( ALL)03/96]
Driving
[GF09500(M )04/96]
Your vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on
the floor. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS)
is located on the gearshift handle. The
Transmission Control Indicator Light (O/D OFF)
is located on the instrument panel. You can put
the gearshift lever in any of the several
positions.
[GF09700(MBC )12/95]
The OVERDRIVE OFF light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle operation.
This allows the transmission to upshift and
downshift from 1st through 4th gears. When the
TCS is pressed, the Transmission Control
Indicator Light will illuminate (O/D OFF) on the
instrument panel. When this O/D OFF is
illuminated the transmission will upshift and
downshift from 1st through 3rd gears.
[GF09800( ALL)12/95]
If the O/D OFF light does not come ªonº when
the TCS is depressed or if the light ªFLASHESº
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition
persists, damage could occur to the transmission.
[GF10000(M )04/96]
To return the transmission to normal operation
(1st through 4th gear) depress the TCS marked
ªO/Dº again. This switch may be used to cancel
overdrive any time the vehicle is being driven.
Each time your vehicle is started, the overdrive
system will automatically be in the normal
overdrive mode and the O/D light will not be
illuminated.
%*
[GF10200(MBC )01/96]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[GF10300( ALL)12/95]
Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the
same way Drive works, automatically upshifting
or downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

166
*
[GF10400( ALL)12/95]
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth
gear Ðan overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at an appropriate consistent speed for
any length of time. This fourth gear will increase
your fuel economy when you travel at cruising
speeds.
[GF10500(MBC )12/95]
When to use D (Overdrive) Ð with
transmission control switch activated (O/D
OFF light illuminated)
*
[GF10700(MBC )12/95]
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does
not have adequate power for climbing hills,
depress the TCS.
[GF11000(M )04/96]
You can depress the TCS marked ªO/Dº at any
speed.
*
[GF11100( ALL)03/96]
When to use 2 (Second)
*
[GF11200( ALL)12/95]
Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or
to give you more engine braking to slow your
vehicle on downgrades.
*
[GF11300( ALL)03/96]
When to use 1 (Low)
*
[GF11400( ALL)12/95]
Use 1 (Low) when driving down steep grades. It
gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle
than 2 (Second) on the downgrades. You can
upshift from 1 (Low) to 2 (Second) or from 1
(Low) to Overdrive at any speed.
*
[GF11500( ALL)03/96]
P (Park)
*
[GF11600( ALL)12/95]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
rotating.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

167
*
[GF11700( ALL)03/96]
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
*
[GF11800( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[GF12000(MBC )12/95]
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if the lever is
adjacent to the P (Park) and you cannot move it
without pushing in the thumb button.
%
*
[GF12100(M )01/96]
Driving with a Manual
Transmission
%*
[GF12200(M )01/96]
Using the Clutch
[GF12300(M )12/95]
After starting the engine with the clutch pedal
pushed to the floor, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, hold your right foot on the brake
pedal. Release the hand brake. Move the
gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse) gear.
[GF12400(M )12/95]
To move the vehicle, pull your right foot off the
brake pedal and then slowly release the clutch
pedal. (You may need to press down slowly on
the accelerator at the same time that you release
the clutch pedal.)
*
[GF12500(M )01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold
your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch
life.
*
[GF12600(M )01/96]
Driving with your foot resting on the clutch may
cause the vehicle to jerk sharply when pressing
or removing your other foot from the
accelerator.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

168 %
*
[GF12700(M )01/96]
Shifting the Gears
[GF12800(M )12/95]
The gearshift can be in one of seven possible
positions, as shown below.
[GF12900(M )12/95]
one third page art:0010574-B
The positions of the floor-mounted gearshift
[GF13000(M )12/95]
Always push the clutch pedal all the way in
when you shift. You should upshift according to
the speeds given in the chart in this section.
%*
[GF13100(M )01/96]
Backing up
*
[GF13200(M )01/96]
To shift into R (Reverse):
*
[GF13300(M )01/96]
1. Bring your vehicle to acompletestop.
[GF13400(M )12/95]
2. Push the clutch pedal in all the way to the
floor.
[GF13500(M )12/95]
3. Then move the gearshift all the way to the
right and pull it back into R (Reverse).
[GF13700(M )12/95]
4. Once R (Reverse) is engaged, slowly release
the clutch pedal from the floor.
[GF13800(M )12/95]
If R (Reverse) is not engaged, continue to push
the clutch pedal in while you put the gearshift
back into Neutral. Then, release the clutch pedal
for a moment and repeat steps 2 through 4.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

169
*
[GF13900(M )08/95]
Upshifting
*
[GF14000(M )01/96]
Most of the time, you should upshift at the
following speeds:
[GF14100(M )12/95]
Shift Speeds for 3.8L Engine Models
[GF14200(M )12/95]
eight pica chart:0010311-C[GF14300(M )12/95]
Shift Speeds for 4.6L Engine Models
[GF14400(M )12/95]
eight pica chart:0010312-C[GF14500(M )12/95]
* In these gears, you may sometimes shift at
lower speeds than those we suggest to improve
fuel economy.
[GF14600(M )12/95]
Sometimes, you will upshift at higher speeds.
For example, you may want to stay in a lower
gear to gain more power for passing or for
climbing a hill. However, you must stay within
the allowable tachometer range when you
upshift or downshift. SeeTachometerin the
Index.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997