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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
238
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type
is used. The type of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission
fluid may cause internal transmission
component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint)
increments through the filler tube until the level is
correct.
If an overfill occurs,
excess fluid should be
removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may
cause shift and/or engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid
(if equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler
plug and inspect the
fluid level.
Maintenance and Specifications
240
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Fuel tank N/A All 59.4L
(15.7 gallons)
Transmission
fluid
3Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAutomatic
with 3.8L
OHV V6
engine13.1L
(13.9 quarts)
4
Automatic
with 4.6L
SOHC V8
engine12.0L
(12.8 quarts)
4
Motorcraft
MERCONt
AT FManual with
3.8L OHV V6
engine2.6L
(5.6 pints)5
Synthetic
MERCONt
AT FManual with
4.6L SOHC
V8 engine3.8L
(8.0 pints)5
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.8L
(4.0 quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your
vehicle.
2Rear axle lubricants do not need to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected, service is
required or the axle assembly has been submerged
in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any
time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill
6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below
bottom of fill hole. Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive
Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118±A for
complete refill of Traction-Lok axles.
3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is
used. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated
on the dipstick or on the dipstick handle. MERCONt
and MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide to determine the
correct service interval.
Maintenance and Specifications
248
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine oil Motorcraft
SAE 5W-20
Super
Premium
Motor OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-
M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Lock
cylindersPenetrating
and Lock
LubricantMotorcraft
XL-1none
Power
steering fluid
and
convertible
top fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCONt
AT FXT-2-QM MERCONt
Rear Axle
LubricantMotorcraft
SAE 80W-90
Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant
1
XY-80W90-QL WSP-
M2C197-A
Motorcraft
SAE 75W-140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
LubricantXY-75W140-QL WSP-
M2C192-A
Automatic
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F
2
XT-5-QM MERCONtV
3.8L Manual
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
4.6L Manual
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
Synthetic
MERCONt
AT FXT-2±QSM MERCONt
and
ESR-M2C163-
A2
Disc brake
caliper railsMotorcraft
Silicone
Brake Caliper
Grease and
Dielectric
CompoundXG-3 ESE-
M1C171-A
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-ACESR-M17P5-A
Maintenance and Specifications
250
1Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier
C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent meeting Ford
specification EST-M2C118-A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant
that does not require changing unless the axle has
been submerged in water.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is
used. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated
on the dipstick or on the dipstick handle. MERCONt
and MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide to determine the
correct service interval.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.8L OHV V6
engine4.6L SOHC V8
engine
Cubic inches 232 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056
inch)
Ignition system EDIS Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.4:1 9.4:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle
dimensionsCoupe mm (in) Convertible mm
(in)
(1) Overall length 4 653.3 (183.2) 4 653.3 (183.2)
(2) Overall width 1 856.7 (73.1) 1 856.7 (73.1)
(3) Overall height 1 348.7 (53.1) 1 351.3 (53.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2 573.0 (101.3) 2 573.0 (101.3)
(5) Track - Front 1 534.2 (60.4)
11 534.2 (60.4)1
(5) Track - Rear 1 539.2 (60.6)21 539.2 (60.6)2
11 521.5 mm (59.9 in) for Mustang GT
21 526.5 mm (60.1 in) for Mustang GT
Maintenance and Specifications
251
A
ABS (see Brakes) ... 143
Air bag
supplemental restraint
system .............. 120±121
and child safety
seats ....................... 123
description ............ 121
disposal .................. 126
driver air bag ........ 123
indicator light... 11, 125
operation ............... 123
passenger air bag . 123
Air cleaner filter ..... 246
Air conditioning
manual heating and
air conditioning
system ..................... 67
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ...... 213
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .... 143±144
Anti-theft system
warning light ........... 11
Audio system
(see Radio) .... 20, 45±46
Automatic
transmission ............ 148
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 150
fluid, adding .......... 238
fluid, checking ...... 238
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 247
fluid, specification.. 251
Auxiliary power
point ........................... 83Axle
lubricant
specifications. 249, 251
refill capacities ...... 247
traction lok ............ 147
B
Battery ..................... 210
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 210
charging system
warning light ........... 11
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 174
maintenance-free .. 210
replacement,
specifications ........ 246
servicing ................ 210
voltage gauge .......... 17
BeltMinder ............... 114
Brakes .............. 142, 145
anti-lock ......... 143±144
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ... 14, 144
brake warning light.. 15
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 235
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 247
fluid,
specifications. 249, 251
lubricant
specifications. 249, 251
parking .................. 142
shift interlock ........ 148
Break-in period ........... 6
Bulbs .......................... 75
Index
258
The Dispute
Settlement Board . 183
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................. 187
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) .............. 71
Defrost
rear window ............ 70
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ........................ 238
engine oil ............... 206
Doors
lubricant
specifications ........ 249
Driving under special
conditions
through water ....... 158
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 174
Emission control
system ...................... 232
Engine ...................... 251
check engine/service
engine soon light .... 11
cleaning ................. 194
coolant ................... 213
idle speed control.. 210
lubrication
specifications. 249, 251
refill capacities ...... 247
service
points ............. 204±205starting after
a collision .............. 164
Engine block
heater ....................... 140
Engine oil ................ 206
checking and
adding .................... 206
dipstick .................. 206
filter,
specifications. 209, 246
recommendations... 209
refill capacities ...... 247
specifications. 249, 251
Exhaust fumes ........ 140
F
Floor mats ................. 90
Fluid capacities ....... 247
Foglamps ................... 71
Fuel .......................... 221
calculating fuel
economy ................ 227
cap ................... 13, 224
capacity ................. 247
choosing the
right fuel ................ 225
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy
estimates ............... 231
detergent in fuel ... 226
filling your vehicle
with
fuel
......... 221, 224, 227
filter,
specifications. 227, 246
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 164
gauge ....................... 18
improving fuel
economy ................ 227
Index
260
Starting your
vehicle ...... 136±137, 139
jump starting ........ 174
Steering wheel
controls .............. 82, 85
tilting ....................... 82
T
Tachometer ............... 19
Tires ......... 170, 241±243
changing ........ 170±171
checking the
pressure ................. 243
replacing ................ 244
rotating .................. 243
snow tires and
chains .................... 245
tire grades ............. 242
treadwear .............. 242
Towing ..................... 161
recreational
towing .................... 161
trailer towing ........ 161
wrecker .................. 179
Traction control ...... 145
active light .............. 14
Traction-lok rear
axle .......................... 147
Transmission
automatic
operation ............... 148
fluid, checking
and adding
(automatic) ........... 238
fluid, checking and
adding (manual) ... 240
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 247lubricant
specifications. 249, 251
manual operation .. 154
Trip odometer ........... 19
Trunk ......................... 94
remote release .. 90, 98
Turn signal .......... 10, 74
V
Vehicle dimensions . 251
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 253
Vehicle loading ........ 158
Ventilating your
vehicle ...................... 141
W
Warning chimes ......... 15
Warning lights
(see Lights) ............... 10
Washer fluid ............ 206
Water, Driving
through .................... 158
Windows
power ....................... 83
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking and
adding fluid ........... 206
checking and
leaning ..................... 81
operation ................. 81
replacing wiper
blades ...................... 82
Wrecker towing ....... 179
Index
264