1998 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

ENGINE COOLANT
²3.8L OHV V6 engine
²4.6L V8 engine
Check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide
for service interval schedules. Be sure to read and
understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the
recommended interval, the engine coolant reservoir
may become empty. If this occurs, add engine
coolant to the coolant reservoir. For more
information on engine coolant maintenance, refer to
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not
use engine coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer
fluid outside of its specified function and vehicle
location.
Maintenance and care
137

Adding engine coolant
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
Do not mix conventional green coolant, orange
coolant or recycled coolants together in your
vehicle. Use only the type of coolant that your
vehicle was originally equipped with. If you are
unsure which type of coolant your vehicle
requires, contact your local dealer.
If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
reservoirÐDO NOT ADD DIRECTLY TO THE
RADIATOR. Add straight water only in an emergency,
but you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture of
coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add
enough of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to
bring the liquid level to the fill line on the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant reservoir cap, follow
these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
Maintenance and care
138

Change your engine coolant according to the
appropriate schedule listed in the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide.
Before adding engine coolant, check the color of the
coolant in your vehicle.
For vehicles with green coolant,use Ford
Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-19549±AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8±B) or an equivalent
premium engine coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A.
Do not add orange coolant or recycled coolant
to your vehicle originally equipped with
conventional green coolant.
For vehicles with orange coolant,use Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544±AA or a
DEX-COOLtequivalent that meets Ford
specification WSS-M97B44±D.
Do not add conventional green coolant or
recycled coolant to your vehicle originally
equipped with orange coolant.
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void your warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
For vehicles with green coolant,not all coolant
recycling processes produce coolant which meets
Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A, and use of such
coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Maintenance and care
139

For vehicles with orange coolant,no recycling
process has been approved at this time and use of
such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system
for leaks if you have to add more than 1.0 liter
(1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
±36ÉC [±34ÉF]), it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to the chart
on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the service
interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtV ATF.
Maintenance and care
140

If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
FILL
HOT
Maintenance and care
141

If your vehicle is
equipped with a 4.6L
V8 engine,check the
power steering fluid
level with the engine at
ambient temperature.
Allow at least one-half
hour after driving for
the power steering
fluid to cool.
1. Start the engine and
allow the engine to
idle.
2. Turn the steering
wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be
between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if
the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes.
Your transmission does not consume fluid. However,
the fluid level should be checked if the transmission
is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips
or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed.
To obtain an accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle
until it is at normal operating temperature
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has
MAXMIN
Maintenance and care
142

been operated for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a
trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated area for
normal operating temperature (H) or ambient
temperature (C).
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the ambient temperature is above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the
ambient temperature is above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However,
if fluid is added at this time, an overfill condition
Maintenance and care
143

could result when the vehicle reaches normal
operating temperature.
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC [150ÉF-170ÉF]).
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at ambient
temperature (10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the
safe range may result
in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible
damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating
condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type
is used. The type of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick handle and also in
theLubricant specificationssection in the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission
fluid may cause internal transmission
component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint)
increments through the filler tube until the level is
correct.
If an overfill occurs,
excess fluid should be
removed by a qualified
technician.
Maintenance and care
144