2000 FORD MUSTANG brakes

TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to 454
kg (1 000 lbs.) gross trailer weight with a maximum
tongue load of 45 kg (100 lbs.). Do not tow a trailer
until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transmission, axles, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these components carefully
after towing.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight could
result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal
injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and
make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer if you
require assistance.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle. To connect
the trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type
trailer brakes are safe if installed properly and
Driving
112

adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for
operation at the GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles.
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The
speed control may shut off automatically when
you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations
for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate excessive downshifting
and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal
transmission damage and void your warranty
coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
Driving
113

ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56
km/h (35 mph) must be exceeded, you must
disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft
removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft
can cause transmission fluid loss, damage to
the driveshaft and internal transmission
components.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims
(for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Driving
115

4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid certified to meet
Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts
the eyes, flush eyes with running water for
15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation
persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce
vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch
adjustment. Refer to
the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide for
the service interval
schedules.
The clutch on your
vehicle is operated by
a cable. As necessary, adjust the clutch as described
below.
1. Turn the engine off and shift into 1 (First).
2. Put your foot under the clutch pedal and gently
pull it up until the pedal stops.
3. Push the clutch pedal down slowly. You will hear a
click as the clutch adjusts itself.
Maintenance and care
142

Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such
as bird droppings should be washed and sponged off
as soon as possible. Deposits not removed promptly
can cause damage to the vehicle's paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied
to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry
them.
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce
minor scratches and paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This
could be every three or four months, depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a
cleaning fluid with a clean cloth to remove any bugs
before waxing your vehicle. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any
surfaces which appear coarse or bumpy. If you have
wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris
may be repaired with the Ultra Touch Prep and
Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior
Acrylic Spray Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from
the Ford Car Care Chemicals line. Please note that
the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary
with your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the
application instructions on the products.
Maintenance and care
185

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ... 75,76
and child
safety seats ............. 77
description .............. 76
disposal .................... 80
driver air bag .......... 78
indicator light ...... 9,80
operation ................. 78
passenger air bag ... 78
Air cleaner filter ..... 191
Air conditioning ........ 20
manual heating
and air conditioning
system ..................... 20
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ...... 143
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......... 95,96
Anti-theft system
warning light ............. 9
Audio system
(see Radio) ................ 23
Automatic
transmission ............ 100
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 102
fluid, adding .......... 153
fluid, checking ...... 153
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specification .......... 194
Auxiliary
power point ............... 52
Axle
lubricant
specifications.. 193,194
refill capacities ...... 191
traction lok ............ 109
Battery ..................... 157acid, treating
emergencies .......... 157
charging system
warning light ............. 9
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 128
maintenance-free .. 157
replacement,
specifications ........ 191
servicing ................ 157
voltage gauge .......... 16
Belt minder ............... 71
Brakes ................... 95,97
anti-lock .............. 95,96
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ...... 12,96
brake
warning light ........... 12
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 141
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specifications.. 193,194
lubricant
specifications.. 193,194
parking .................... 97
shift interlock ........ 100
Break-in period ........... 3
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 191
Certification Label .. 196
Child safety
restraints ................... 81
child safety belts .... 81
Child
safety seats ........... 82,83
attaching with
tether straps ........... 87
in front seat ............ 84
in rear seat .............. 84
Index
212

GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 109
definition ............... 109
driving with
a heavy load .......... 109
location .................. 109
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 109
calculating ............. 109
definition ............... 109
driving with
a heavy load .......... 109
location .................. 109
Hazard flashers ....... 117
Head restraints ......... 62
Headlamps ................. 18
aiming .................... 183
bulb
specifications ........ 182
daytime
running lights .......... 18
flash to pass ............ 41
high beam ............ 8,18
replacing bulbs ..... 178
turning on and off .. 18
warning chime ........ 13
Heating ...................... 20
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 20
Hood ........................ 135
Ignition ..................... 194
positions of the
ignition .................... 41
removing the key .. 109
Infant seats (see
Safety seats) ........ 82,83
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 177
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 188
cluster ................. 8,188lighting up panel
and interior ............. 19
location of
components ............... 8
Jump-starting
your vehicle ............. 128
Keys
key in
ignition chime ......... 13
positions of the
ignition .................... 41
removing from
the ignition ............ 109
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ...................... 182
cargo lamps ............. 19
daytime
running light ........... 18
fog lamps ................. 48
headlamps ........ 18,178
headlamps,
flash to pass ............ 41
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 19
interior
lamps ......... 45,181,182
replacing bulbs ..... 177
178,179,180,181
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 40
Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 8
air bag ........................ 9
anti-lock
brakes (ABS) ..... 12,96
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 12
charging system ........ 9
check coolant .......... 12
high beam ................. 8
Index
215