2000 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

stopping distance. Always leave enough room
between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Hydraulic brake booster system (Hydroboost)
The Hydroboost system receives fluid pressure from
the power steering pump to provide power assist
during braking.
The sound of the pump operating may be heard by
the driver, but this is a normal characteristic of the
system.
For Hydroboost-equipped vehicles operating under
normal conditions, the noise of the fluid flowing
through the booster may be heard whenever the
brake is applied. This condition is normal. Vehicle
service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes
very poor, even when the pedal is strongly
depressed, it may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle
safely as soon as possible and seek service
immediately.
Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
apply the brake pedal
and pull the parking
brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
P!
BRAKE
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(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First
Gear) (manual transmission).
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.
To release the parking
brake, the 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 handle and push the handle down as far as
possible. Driving with the parking brake applied will
cause the brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRACTION CONTROLY
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 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
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98

controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
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 Controly
on/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.
If a system fault is detected the OFF indicator lamp
on the traction control switch will be illuminated and
your vehicle should be serviced.
TRAC
CTRL
OFF
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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.
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 lever from being
moved from P (Park) when the ignition is in the ON
position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park) with ignition in the ON position and 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.
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If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift lever, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside 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.
Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at
normal operating temperature or damage to
the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few
minutes or damage to the transmission and
tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
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Driving with an automatic overdrive
transmission with console gearshift and O/D off
switch
Your automatic
overdrive transmission
provides fully
automatic operation in
either D (Overdrive) or
with the O/D OFF
switch depressed.
Driving with the
gearshift lever in D
(Overdrive) gives the
best fuel economy for
normal driving
conditions. For manual control, start in 1 (First) and
then shift manually.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
(if equipped)
Use the following
procedure to put your
vehicle in gear.
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold
the brake pedal.
3. Push and hold the
thumb button.
4. Move gearshift lever
out of P (Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from P (Park) to another
position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
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Understanding gearshift positions
P (Park)
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into P (Park).
Make sure the gearshift
lever 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 lever is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever
in R (Reverse), the
vehicle will move
backward. Always come
to a complete stop
before shifting into and
out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever
in N (Neutral), the
vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down
while in this gear.
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(Overdrive)
The normal driving
position for the best
fuel economy.
Transmission operates
in gears one through
four.
(Overdrive) can be
deactivated by pressing
the transmission
control switch on the
gearshift lever.
The transmission
control indicator light
(TCIL) will illuminate
on the instrument
cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by
pressing the transmission control switch on the end
of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the
position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate on
the instrument cluster. Transmission operates in
gears one through three.
(Drive) provides more
engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while you towin the
Trailer Towingchapter.
O/ D
OFF
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