2001 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

²Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant.These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of the
engine coolant.
²Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from
a Ford-approved recycling process (seeUse of
Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
If equipped with the 3.8L V6 engine, to
avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from
being released from the engine cooling system,
never remove the radiator cap from the radiator
while the engine is running or hot. Failure to
follow this warning may result in damage to the
engine's cooling system and possible severe
personal injury.
If equipped with the 4.6L V8 engine, to
avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from
being released from the engine cooling system,
never remove the pressure relief cap from the
engine coolant reservoir while the engine is
running or hot. Failure to follow this warning may
result in damage to the engine's cooling system
and possible severe personal injury.
If you must remove the pressure relief cap or
radiator cap (depending upon engine application),
follow these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
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161

Engine coolant refill procedure-3.8L V6 engine
Use the following procedure when refilling
the cooling system of a vehicle equipped
with a 3.8L V6 engine. Failure to follow this
warning may result in damage to the engine and
engine cooling system.
The following procedure should be used when
refilling the cooling system of a 3.8L V6 engine after
it has been drained or become extremely low.
1. Remove the cap
from the engine
coolant reservoir.
2. Open the cooling
system vent plug.
3. Remove the radiator
cap as previously
outlined.
4. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the radiator until full.
5. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº as listed on
the reservoir.
6. Close the cooling system vent plug.
7. Reinstall the engine coolant reservoir cap.
8. Reinstall the radiator cap.
9. Start and idle the engine until the upper radiator
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is open
and coolant is flowing through the entire system).
10. Immediately shut the engine off.
11. Wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap and
cautiously remove the radiator cap.
12. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the radiator until full.
2
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162

13. Reinstall the radiator cap.
14. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before
you drive your vehicle the next few times (with the
engine cool).
15. If necessary, add a50/50 mixtureof engine
coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill
levelº as listed on the reservoir.
If you are unsure of how to operate the cooling
system vent plug when adding engine coolant to the
3.8L V6 engine, contact your dealer.
Engine coolant refill procedure-4.6L V8 engine
The following procedure should be used when
refilling the cooling system of a 4.6L V8 engine after
it has been drained or become extremely low.
1. Remove the pressure relief cap from the engine
coolant reservoir as previously outlined.
2. Slowly add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant
and distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir
until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº as
listed on the reservoir.
3. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
4. Start and idle the engine until the upper radiator
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is open
and coolant is flowing through the entire system).
5. Shut the engine off and let it cool.
6. Remove the pressure relief cap from the engine
coolant reservoir as previously outlined.
7. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº as listed on
the reservoir.
8. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
9. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before
you drive your vehicle the next few times (with the
engine cool).
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163

10. If necessary, add a50/50 mixtureof engine
coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill
levelº as listed on the reservoir.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant
concentration see Checking Engine Coolant section).
If the concentration is not 50/50 (protection to
±34ÉF/±36ÉC), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and
additions to obtain a 50/50 coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in
the coolant reservoir should be checked the next few
times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough
50/50 concentration of engine coolant and distilled
water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of
engine coolant per month, have your dealer check
the engine cooling system. Your cooling system may
have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating and possible
engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a
recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes in vehicles originally equipped with
Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored).
However, not all coolant recycling processes produce
coolant that meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A. Use of such coolant may harm the
engine and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use
of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally
equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is
not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in
an appropriate manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and care
164

Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
±36É C [±34É F]):
²it may be necessary to increase the coolant
concentration above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration
above 60%.
²increased engine coolant concentrations
above 60% will decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate freeze
protection at the temperatures in which you
drive in the winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²it is still necessary to maintain the coolant
concentration above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration
below 40%.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the corrosion
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the freeze
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Maintenance and care
165

²refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate protection at
the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates
should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONtAT F.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
FILL
HOT
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166

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a 4.6L
V8 engine,check the
power steering fluid
level with the engine at
ambient temperature.
Allow at least one-half
hour after driving for
the power steering
fluid to cool.
1.
Start the engine and
allow the engine to idle.
2. Turn the steering
wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be
between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if
the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
(if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes.
Your transmission does not consume fluid. However,
the fluid level should be checked if the transmission
is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips
or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.MAXMIN
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167

Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed.
To obtain an accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle
until it is at normal operating temperature
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has
been operated for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a
trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag. If necessary, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin this
chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated area for
normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the ambient temperature is above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on
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168