1999 FORD MUSTANG battery

BATTERY
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
Motorcraft
maintenance-free
battery which normally
does not require
additional water during
its life of service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature
climates, check the battery electrolyte level. Refer to
the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the service
interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
ªlevel indicatorº. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can
add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do
not use hard water (water with a high mineral or
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled water. If the battery
needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it
is reinstalled after the battery has been
cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of
the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly fastened to the
battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminals and clean with
a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a
solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and care
150

Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Therefore,
do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls could
cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting
in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with
water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim
strategy for optimum driveability and performance.
To begin this process:
1. Set your parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
Maintenance and care
151

4. The relearning process will automatically
complete as you drive the vehicle.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10
miles) or more to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle
trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may be
adversely affected until the idle trim is eventually
relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new
battery has been installed, the clock and the preset
radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when
they seem less effective. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used by commercial
car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent. Rinse
thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
152

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be
replaced immediately. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
170

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.8L OHV V6
engine4.6L SOHC V8
engine
Air filter
elementFA-1611 FA-1634
Fuel filter FG-800A FG-800A
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-42EE** AWSF-32PP***
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information
(VECI) decal for spark plug gap information.
**If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. If a spark plug
needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the
same service part number suffix letter as shown on
the engine decal.
*** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1,
2, 3 and 4 have a ªPGº suffix. Cylinders No. 5, 6, 7
and 8 have a ªPº suffix. If a spark plug needs to be
replaced, use only spark plugs with the same service
part number suffix letter ªPPº as shown on the
engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
182

Travel equipment
Console
Console armrest
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack
Factory luggage rack adaptors
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Neutral towing transfer case kit (Explorer 4.0L only)
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters
Retractable bed hooks and loops
Running boards
Snow traction cables
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers
Bed mats
Bedliners
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Customer assistance
202

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 74
and child
safety seats ............. 76
description .............. 74
disposal .................... 79
driver air bag .......... 77
indicator light ...... 7,78
operation ................. 77
passenger air bag ... 77
Air cleaner filter ..... 182
Air conditioning ........ 18
manual heating
and air conditioning
system ..................... 18
Anti-theft
system .............. 60,61,62
warning light ............. 7
Automatic
transmission .............. 97
driving an automatic
overdrive ................. 98
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 183
fluid,
specification .......... 188
Axle
lubricant
specifications ........ 188
refill capacities ...... 183
traction lok ............ 105
Battery ..................... 150
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 150
charging system
warning light ............. 7
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 123
maintenance-free .. 150
replacement,
specifications ........ 182
servicing ................ 150voltage gauge .......... 15
Brakes ................... 92,94
anti-lock .............. 92,93
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ...... 10,93
brake
warning light ........... 10
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 137
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 183
fluid,
specifications . 185,188
lubricant
specifications . 185,188
parking .................... 94
shift interlock .......... 97
Break-in period ........... 2
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 183
Child safety
restraints ................... 80
child safety belts .... 80
child safety seats .... 81
Child safety seats ...... 81
attaching with
tether straps ........... 85
built-in child seat ... 81
in front seat ............ 83
in rear seat .............. 83
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 85
Cleaning
your vehicle ............. 176
engine
compartment ......... 178
exterior ........... 178,181
exterior lamps ....... 179
instrument panel .. 180
interior ................... 180
plastic parts .......... 179
Index
207

Fluid capacities ....... 183
Foglamps ................... 53
Fuel .......................... 158
calculating fuel
economy ................ 164
cap ......................... 161
capacity ................. 183
choosing
the right fuel ......... 162
comparisons with
EPA fuel economy
estimates ............... 168
detergent in fuel ... 163
filling your vehicle
with fuel .. 158,161,164
filter,
specifications . 163,182
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 112
gauge ....................... 12
improving fuel
economy ................ 164
low fuel
warning light ............. 9
octane rating .. 162,188
quality .................... 162
running
out of fuel ............. 163
safety information
relating to
automotive fuels ... 158
Fuses ................. 113,114
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ......... 161
Gas mileage(see
Fuel economy) ........ 164
Gauges .................. 11,12
battery voltage
gauge ....................... 15
engine coolant
temperature gauge . 12engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 15
fuel gauge ................ 12
odometer ................. 13
speedometer ........... 13
tachometer .............. 14
trip odometer .......... 14
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 106
definition ............... 106
driving with
a heavy load .......... 106
location .................. 106
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 106
calculating ............. 106
definition ............... 106
driving with
a heavy load .......... 106
location .................. 106
Hazard flashers ....... 112
Head restraints ......... 64
Headlamps ................. 16
aiming ............. 175,176
bulb
specifications ........ 175
daytime
running lights .......... 16
flash to pass ............ 45
high beam ............ 7,45
turning on and off .. 16
warning chime ........ 11
Heating ...................... 18
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 18
Hood ........................ 132
Ignition ..................... 188
positions of the
ignition .................... 45
removing the key .. 105
Index
209