Page 1 of 224
Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 18
Seating and safety restraints 62
Starting and driving
Starting 90
Driving 95
Roadside emergencies 116
Servicing
Maintenance and care 133
Capacities and specifications 191
Customer assistance 197
Reporting safety defects 211
Index 212
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. Ford may change the contents without notice
and without incurring obligation.
Copyright 1999 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1
Page 3 of 224
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the
risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage
to others, your vehicle and its equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your
vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to
give the moving parts a chance to break in.
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 8 of 224
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.
High beams
Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps
are turned on.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
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
8
Page 13 of 224

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 to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Sounds 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
13
Page 14 of 224

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 an 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.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
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
14
Page 17 of 224
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
Instrumentation
17
Page 74 of 224

2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off.
(Approximately 1±2 minutes)
²Steps 3±5 must be completed within 60 seconds
or the procedure will have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled. This can be
done before or during Belt Minder warning
activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the
parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled.
²After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be
turned on for three seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning
light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety
belt.
²This will disable Belt Minder if it is currently
enabled, or enable Belt Minder if it is currently
disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is provided
by flashing the safety belt warning light four times
per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided
by flashing the safety belt warning light four times
per second for three seconds, followed by three
seconds with the safety belt warning light off, then
followed by flashing the safety belt warning light
four times per second for three seconds again.
9. After receiving confirmation, the
deactivation/activation procedure is complete.
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,
Seating and safety restraints
74
Page 75 of 224

front seat belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt
height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide
on seatback (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.
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)
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information about
the air bag and sensor systems. In the event of a
collision this module may save information related to
the collision including information about the air bag
system and impact severity. This information will
assist Ford in the servicing of your vehicle and may
help Ford better understand real world collisions
and further improve the safety of future vehicles.
Seating and safety restraints
75