2000 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

5. Clip the tether strap
to the anchor as
shown.
If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly, the
child safety seat may not be retained properly
in the event of a collision.
6. Refer to theInstalling child safety seats in
combination lap and shoulder belt seating
positionssection of this chapter for further
instructions to secure the child safety seat.
7. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly,
the risk of a child being injured in a collision
greatly increases.
Seating and safety restraints
89

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain
control system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage
or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the garage door before
you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Starting
90

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 10 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
91

3. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
If there is difficulty in
turning the key, firmly
rotate the steering
wheel left and right
until the key turns
freely. This condition may occur when:
²front wheels are turned
²front wheel is against the curb
²steering wheel is turned when getting in or out of
the vehicle
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate briefly.
If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
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).
1
2
34
5
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
.
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
92

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 10 seconds and try
again.
3. If the temperature is below -12É C (10É F) and
the engine does not start in 15 seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait 10 seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
press the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and
hold. Turn the key to START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then
release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine
speeds up.
5. 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.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Starting
93

If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind
inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if
you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service.
²the sound of the exhaust system changes.
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in
an open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped)
to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle
ventilation by keeping
all air inlet vents clear
of snow, leaves and
other debris.
Starting
94

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)
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 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
95

The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications and
compensates 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
ABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned
to the ON position. 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 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
96