1998 FORD MUSTANG wheel

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

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows
key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
TILT STEERING WHEEL (IF EQUIPPED)
Pull the tilt steering
control toward you to
move the steering
wheel up or down.
Hold the control while
adjusting the wheel to
the desired position,
then release the
control to lock the
steering wheel in
position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the
vehicle is moving.
1
23
4
5
Controls and features
45

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not
indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's
brake system. In normal operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or intermittent squeal
or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the first few brake
applications in the morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking,
the brake linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be observed
during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled
with noise while braking under panic conditions or
on loose gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads is
normal and indicates proper functioning of the
vehicle's anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a
self-check at 17 km/h (10 mph) after you start the
engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical
noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
If a malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will
come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Driving
88

The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications
and compensating for
this tendency. The
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned
on and the engine is off. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or
continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.
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. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the ABS is required, apply continuous full
force on the brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce
P!
BRAKE
Driving
89

The parking brake is not recommended to stop a
moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail,
the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle
in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance
will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle
will be adversely affected.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
Your brake handle may
need to be pulled up
slightly to release
pressure before
pushing in the button.
Push the button on the
end of the parking
brake and push the handle down as far as possible
to release the brake. Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
TRACTION CONTROLY(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Controlysystem. This system helps you
maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces. The system operates by detecting and
controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical elements already
present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to
be detected by the Traction Controlyportion of the
ABS computer. Any excessive wheel spin is
controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
Driving
91

the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems.
This process is very sensitive to driving conditions
and very fast acting. The rear wheels ªsearchº for
optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your
vehicle to make better use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which
makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on
snow, ice covered and gravel roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, the traction
control active light will illuminate, you may hear an
electric motor type of sound coming from the engine
compartment and the engine will not ªrev-upº when
you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
The Traction Controlyon/off switch, located in front
of the gearshift, illuminates when the system is OFF.
The Traction Controlysystem will revert to the ON
position every time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a
very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlysystem off. This may allow excess wheel
spin to ªdigº the vehicle out and enable a successful
ªrockingº maneuver.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power
steering pump fluid level.
Driving
92

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not operating
properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern.
Driving
93

P (Park)
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into P (Park).
Make sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P
(Park). This position
locks the transmission
and prevents the rear
wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it
is running.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R
(Reverse), the vehicle
will move backward.
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into and out of
R (Reverse).
Driving
95