1998 FORD MUSTANG parking brake

control switch is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Traction ControlYactive
This light momentarily
illuminates when the
ignition is turned to
ON. It also illuminates
when the Traction Controlysystem begins applying
and releasing the brakes and adjusting the engine
characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition. It will
be lit for a minimum of four seconds or for the
duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If the light remains on, continues to flash or
fails to illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If brake warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates
when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

HEADLAMP CONTROL
²Pull the headlamp
control toward you
to the first position
to turn on the
parking lamps, tail
lamps, license plate
lamps and marker
lamps.
²Pull the headlamp control toward you to the outer
position to turn on the headlamps (in addition to
the previous lamps).
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To
activate:
²the ignition must be turned on
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking
lamps position
²the high beam headlamps must be turned off
²the parking brake is released
Always remember to turn on your
headlamps at dusk or during inclement
weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL)
System does not activate your tail lamps and
generally may not provide adequate lighting during
these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a
collision.
Controls and features
16

Convertible (If equipped)
Do not store articles behind rear seat. Articles
stored in the convertible top stowage compartment
may break the rear glass window when the top is
lowered.
Lowering the convertible top
The convertible top can be lowered with the side
windows either up or down.
The convertible top will not operate unless the
parking brake is engaged. Do not lower the top while
the vehicle is moving because the top may be
severely damaged. Also, do not lower the top when
the top material is wet.
To lower the convertible top:
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop. Engage the
parking brake. Key must be in the ON position.
2. Check the convertible top stowage compartment
behind the rear seat to be sure it is empty and ready
to receive the top.
3. Unclamp the top from the windshield header at
both the right and left sides by pulling each clamp
rearward until the hook in the windshield header is
free. The clamps are flush with the header when in
the closed position.
4. Close the windshield header clamps immediately
after disengagement, to avoid cutting the top
material and to permit installation of the vinyl boot.
5. If the top has not
been lowered for some
time and sticks to the
windshield header,
push the front of the
top up slightly with
your hand to loosen it.
Controls and features
53

6. Push the convertible
top switch on the
console in front of the
armrest and hold until
the top is completely
stored.
7. Disengage the
parking brake.
Installation of the boot
1. Insert boot tongue
into groove located on
rear seat.
2. Push boot forward
until rear attachment
engages under
molding.
3. Push forward flap of
boot until both clips
engage under trim
panel edge. Repeat on
other side of vehicle.
SETPARKBRAKE
Controls and features
54

4. Tuck side
attachments under
molding. Repeat on
other side of vehicle.
5. Push and pull front
of boot to ensure
tongue is engaged into
groove.
6. Removal
Raising the convertible top
The convertible top will not operate unless the
parking brake is engaged. Do not raise the top while
the vehicle is moving because the top may be
severely damaged.
To raise the convertible top:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Engage the
parking brake. Key must be in the ON position.
2. Remove the boot cover and store it in the luggage
compartment.
3. Lower the front and rear side windows.
4. Push the convertible top button, holding it until
the top unfolds and moves forward toward the
windshield header.
Controls and features
55

5. Open both top clamps before the top meets the
windshield header
6. Continue to use the top motor to raise the top
until it has reached the fully closed position flush to
the header.
7. The two pins under the forward edge of the top
should seat themselves in the matching holes in the
header.
8. To fasten both clamps securely, push the clamp
handles into the header on the top until they are
flush with the header. Pulling down on the header at
the center grip while closing the latches may assist
in fastening the clamps.
9. Raise the front and rear side windows.
10. Disengage the parking brake.
REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM
The remote entry system allows you to:
²lock or unlock all vehicle doors without a key.
²open the trunk.
²activate the panic alarm.
²confirms that the vehicle is locked with a short
ªbeepº from the horn.
The remote entry features only operate with the
ignition in the OFF position.
Unlocking the doors
Press this control to
unlock the driver's
door. The interior
lamps will illuminate.
With the all-door
remote entry system,
press the control a
second time within
three seconds to unlock the passenger door.
Controls and features
56

Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not
allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes
at high engine RPM.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories
are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
²Make sure the
parking brake is set.
²Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual transmission:
²Make sure the parking brake is set.
²Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
Starting
84

STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5
(START) without
pressing the
accelerator pedal and
release as soon as the
engine starts. The key
will return to 4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is above ±12ÉC (10ÉF) and the
engine does not start within five seconds on the first
try, turn the key to OFF, wait ten seconds and try
again.
3. If the temperature is below ±12ÉC (10ÉF) and the
engine does not start in fifteen seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait ten seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
depress the accelerator and start the engine while
holding the accelerator down to the floor. Release
the accelerator when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach ±23ÉC ( ±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
86