1997 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

170 %
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[GF14700(M )01/96]
Downshifting
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[GF14800(M )03/96]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill,
always downshift before the engine starts to lose
power. Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration
to increase speed again.
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[GF14900(M )01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
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[GF15000(M )01/96]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift
through each gear. Disengage the clutch and use
the brake as necessary. Downshifting through
the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel economy.
[GF15100(M )12/95]
NOTE: Do not downshift into 1 (First) when
your vehicle is moving faster than
15 mph (24 km/h). This will damage
the clutch.
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[GF15200(M )01/96]
Parking
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[GF15300(M )01/96]
To park your vehicle, shift into 1 (First), set the
parking brake fully, and turn off the ignition.
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[GF15400(M )01/96]
WARNING
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it
may move unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
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[GF15500( ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
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171 % [GF15700( ALL)12/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or the door latch
post pillar.
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[GF15800( ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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[GF15900( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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[GF16000( ALL)01/96]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
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[GF16100( ALL)12/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the
left front door pillar.
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[GF16200( ALL)01/96]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
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[GF16300( ALL)01/96]
q
the driver and passengers
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[GF16400( ALL)01/96]
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luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
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[GF16500( ALL)12/95]
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the tongue load of the loaded trailer
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[GF16600( ALL)01/96]
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the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
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172
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If you do not know the actual weights of these
items, use the following procedure to figure the
weight of a load:
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1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver,
passengers and luggage. You might take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
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[GF16900( ALL)01/96]
2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
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[GF17000( ALL)01/96]
3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
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[GF17100( ALL)11/92]
After determining this load, you must also make
sure that the total weight of your vehicle, plus
the load it carries, is less than its GVWR. Also,
make sure that the weight your vehicle carries
over each axle is less than the GAWR for the
respective axle.
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[GF17200( ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load
or remove cargo accordingly.
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[GF17300( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's
load or carrying weight in excess of the
amount shown on the tire decal can cause
rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
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173
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Trailer Towing
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Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
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[GF17700( ALL)12/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
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[GF17800( ALL)12/95]
q
Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (SeeTrailer towing specificationsin this
chapter.)
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[GF17900( ALL)01/96]
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Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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[GF18000( ALL)01/96]
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Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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[GF18100( ALL)01/96]
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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[GF18200( ALL)12/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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[GF18300( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a
temporary spare tire.
[GF18400( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the optional equipment
on your vehicle. See the following chart.
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174 % [GF18500( ALL)12/95]Trailer towing specifications
[GF18600(M )12/95]
six pica chart:0010320-C*
[GF19000( ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Tow
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[GF19100( ALL)01/96]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[GF19200( ALL)12/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
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[GF19300( ALL)12/95]
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
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[GF19400( ALL)12/95]
Using the hitch
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[GF19500(MBC )12/95]
Your vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a
trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you
must distribute the load in your trailer so that
only 10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer
is on the tongue.
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[GF20000( ALL)12/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
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175 %
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Connecting the safety chains
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Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
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[GF21200( ALL)12/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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[GF21300( ALL)12/95]
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue
and attach them to your vehicle's frame or
hook retainers. Never attach the safety
chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper
is not designed to bear the weight of a
trailer.
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2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
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If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
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Connecting the trailer's brakes
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Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them according
to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that
your trailer's brakes meet local and federal
regulations.
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[GF21900( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances
of having a collision greatly increase.
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176 %
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[GF22000( ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[GF22100( ALL)12/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
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[GF22300( ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting
system.
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[GF22400( ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
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Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[GF22800(MBC )12/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
[GF22900(M )12/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transmission and
you are towing a trailer, you should select gear
positions which will avoid jerking or excessive
engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in
1 (First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the
trailer is too big or heavily loaded for your
vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving in these
two gears while towing a trailer is not
recommended.
[GF23000(M )12/95]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the
manual transmission gearshift to a lower gear.
This will increase engine power on upgrades
and engine braking on downgrades.
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177 %
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If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
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[GF23200( ALL)12/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[GF23300( ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
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Driving Under Special Conditions
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Tips for Safe Driving
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[GF23800( ALL)01/96]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[GF23900( ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
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Driving in Bad Weather
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Slippery roads
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Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
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[GF24300( ALL)01/96]
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Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
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[GF24400( ALL)01/96]
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Drive slower than you normally would.
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[GF24500( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not use speed control.
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[GF24600( ALL)01/96]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
[GF24700( ALL)04/96]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
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[GF24800( ALL)01/96]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
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Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997