2001 FORD MUSTANG traction control

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
New vehicles are fitted
with tires that have a
rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades.
The Quality grades can
be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by
standards that the United States Department of
Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality
grades:The U.S. Department of Transportation
requires Ford to give you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the government has
written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Maintenance and care
175

Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Maintenance and care
176

Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier for the driver to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving
at very high speeds for extended periods of time
may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade
as the tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to
provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some
climates, you may need to use snow tires and chains.
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or if the
law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
²Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
²Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage your vehicle.
²SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and care
179

Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 204
cluster ................ 8, 204
lighting up panel and
interior ..................... 19
location of
components ............... 8
J
Jack .......................... 137
positioning ............. 137
storage ................... 137
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 141
K
Keys ..................... 67±69
key in ignition
chime ....................... 13
positions of the
ignition .................... 52
removing from the
ignition .................. 122
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ...................... 197
cargo lamps ............. 19
daytime running
light .......................... 18
fog lamps ................. 19
headlamps ....... 18, 193
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 51
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 19interior
lamps ............... 56, 197
replacing
bulbs .............. 192±196
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 51
Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 8
air bag ........................ 9
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) .............. 12, 109
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 13
charging system ........ 9
fuel cap light ........... 11
high beam ................. 8
low fuel .................... 11
overdrive off ............ 12
safety belt ................. 9
service engine soon .. 9
traction control
active ....................... 12
turn signal
indicator .................... 8
Load limits ............... 122
GAWR .................... 122
GVWR .................... 122
trailer towing ........ 122
Locks
doors ........................ 57
Lubricant
specifications ... 208±209
Lug nuts,
anti-theft .................. 140
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 75
Index
232

Safety seats for
children ...................... 95
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .................. 76
Seats .......................... 73
child safety seats .... 95
cleaning ......... 204±205
easy access/easyout
feature ..................... 75
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft
system .................. 67±69
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 147
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 206
, 209±210
Special notice .............. 3
Specification chart,
lubricants ......... 208±209
Speed control ............ 53
Speedometer ............. 15
Starting your
vehicle ...... 103±104, 106
jump starting ........ 141
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 52
T
Tachometer ............... 16
Tires ......... 137, 175±177
changing ........ 137±138
checking the
pressure ................. 177
replacing ................ 178
rotating .................. 177snow tires and
chains .................... 179
tire grades ............. 176
treadwear .............. 175
Towing ..................... 124
recreational
towing .................... 127
trailer towing ........ 124
wrecker .................. 146
Traction
control ............... 50, 111
active light .............. 12
Traction-lok rear
axle .......................... 122
Transmission
automation
operation ............... 113
fluid, checking and
adding
(automatic) ........... 167
fluid, checking and
adding (manual) ... 170
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 206
lubricant
specifications. 208±209
manual operation .. 119
Trip odometer ........... 17
Trunk ......................... 71
remote release .. 50, 65
Turn signal ............ 8, 51
V
Vehicle
dimensions ............... 210
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 211
Index
234