1998 FORD MUSTANG brake

MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission have a
starter interlock that prevents cranking the engine
unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a manual transmission,
you must:
1. Put gearshift in N
(Neutral).
2. Hold down brake
pedal.
3. Depress clutch
pedal.
4. Turn ignition to
position 5 (START) to
start the engine, let the
engine idle for a few
seconds, then shift into
gear.
5. Release the brake
pedal.
6. Release clutch slowly
while pressing down
slowly on the
accelerator pedal.
²Do 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.
1
24R3
5
1
2
34
5
Driving
98

Recommended shift speeds
Do not downshift into 1 (first) when your
vehicle is moving faster then 24 km/h (15 mph).
This will damage the clutch.
Upshift and downshift according to the following
chart:
Upshifts when accelerating
(recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 - 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 - 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Parking your vehicle
1. Disengage the
clutch, apply brake
and shift into N
(Neutral).
2. Set parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
1
24R3
5
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99

4. Turn the ignition key
to position 3 (OFF).
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may
move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use
1 (First) gear and set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the
gearshift to the right of 5 (Fifth) gear before you
shift into R (Reverse). This is a feature that protects
you from accidentally shifting into R (Reverse) when
you downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete
stop before you shift into R (Reverse). Failure
to do so may damage the transmission.
To shift into R
(Reverse):
1. Bring your vehicle to
a complete stop.
2. Push the clutch
pedal all the way to the
floor.
3. Move the gearshift
all the way to the right
and pull it back into R
( Reverse).
4. Slowly release the
clutch pedal.
If R (Reverse) is not
engaged, continue to
push the clutch pedal in while you put the
3
2
1
5
4
1
24R3
5
Driving
100

limitation could result in serious damage to the
vehicle and/or personal injury.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to
454 kg (1 000 lbs.) gross trailer weight with a
maximum tongue load of 45 kg (100 lbs.). Do not
tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at
least 800 km (500 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transmission, axles, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these components carefully
after towing.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight could
result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal
injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and
make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer if you
require assistance.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack
for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Driving
104

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type
brakes are safe if installed properly and adjusted to
the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal regulations.
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.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for
operation at the GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles.
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when
towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on
long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate excessive downshifting
and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal
transmission damage and void your warranty
coverage.
Driving
105

Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
your Scheduled Maintenance guide for more
information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs
and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs.
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106

Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission is submerged may allow water
into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Driving
107

Standard fuse amperage rating and color
COLOR
Fuse
Rating
Mini
FusesStan-
dard
FusesMaxi
FusesCar-
tridge
Maxi
FusesFuse
Link
Car-
tridge
2A Grey Grey Ð Ð Ð
3A Violet Violet Ð Ð Ð
4A Pink Pink Ð Ð Ð
5A Tan Tan Ð Ð Ð
7.5A Brown Brown Ð Ð Ð
10A Red Red Ð Ð Ð
15A Blue Blue Ð Ð Ð
20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue
25A Natural Natural Ð Ð Ð
30A Green Green Green Pink Pink
40A Ð Ð Orange Green Orange
50A Ð Ð Red Red Red
60A Ð Ð Blue Ð Yellow
70A Ð Ð Tan Ð Brown
80A Ð Ð Natural Ð Black
Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located below and to the left of
the steering wheel by the brake pedal. Remove the
panel cover to access the fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided
on the fuse panel cover.
Roadside emergencies
110