Page 1 of 216
Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 16
Seating and safety restraints 64
Starting and driving
Starting 87
Driving 92
Roadside emergencies 112
Servicing
Maintenance and care 130
Capacities and specifications 182
Customer assistance 191
Reporting safety defects 206
Index 207
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic
or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any
information storage and retrieval system or translation in
whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1
Page 3 of 216
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at
the time of printing. Ford may change the contents
without notice and without incurring obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of Cobra vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the
ªSVT Cobra Owner's Guide Supplement.º This book
contains important operation and maintenance
information.
Introduction
3
Page 6 of 216
WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Base instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Turn signal
Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal
or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or
both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash
faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer
toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
1504
5
6
7
8 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
Instrumentation
6
Page 11 of 216

and more needs to be added. This lamp will also
illuminate when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off. For more information on adding engine
coolant, refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver's door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
GAUGES
Base instrument cluster gauges
C
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
EFLH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
H
Instrumentation
11
Page 12 of 216

Optional instrument cluster gauges
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in the
fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON
position). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition should be in the
OFF position while the vehicle is being refueled.
When the gauge first indicates empty, there is a
small amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When
refueling the vehicle from empty indication, the
amount of fuel that can be added will be less than
the advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal
area (the area between the ªHº and ªCº). If it enters
the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
P! BRAKE
0
00000 00
FH
H
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
1504
5
6
7
8 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
L
L
F
CH
Instrumentation
12
Page 15 of 216
Battery voltage gauge
This gauge shows the
battery voltage when
the ignition is in the
ON position. If the
pointer moves and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated), have the vehicle's
electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine
oil pressure in the
system. Sufficient
pressure exists as long
as the needle remains in the normal range (the area
between the ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure, stop the vehicle
as soon as safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level. Add oil if needed
(refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle
checked at your dealership or by a qualified
technician.
LH
LH
Instrumentation
15
Page 73 of 216

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety
belt is not buckled
before the ignition
switch is turned to
the ON position...The safety belt warning
light illuminates for one to
two minutes and the
warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.
The driver's safety
belt is buckled while
the indicator light is
illuminated and the
warning chime is
sounding...The safety belt warning
light and warning chime
turn off.
The driver's safety
belt is buckled before
the ignition switch is
turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning
light will turn on for three
seconds and then turn off.
The indicator chime will
remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not damaged.
Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no
nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All
safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles,
front seat belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt
height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be
replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a
qualified technician finds that the belts do not show
damage and continue to operate properly, they do
not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not
in use during a collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
73
Page 74 of 216
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace
the safety belt assembly under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries
in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety
beltsin theMaintenance and caresection.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS)
Important supplemental restraint system (SRS)
precautions
The supplemental
restraint system is
designed to work with
the safety belt to help
protect the driver and
right front passenger
from certain upper
body injuries.
Air bags DO NOT
inflate slowly or gently
and the risk of injury
from a deploying air bag is greatest close to the trim
covering the air bag module.
Seating and safety restraints
74