2002 FORD MUSTANG maintenance

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.
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.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in
an overfilled tank may cause leakage and
lead to fuel spray and fire.
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The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel
tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel
cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or
death if misused or mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling
automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all
smoking materials
and any open flames
before fueling your
vehicle.
²Always turn off the
vehicle before
fueling.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highly toxic
and if swallowed can cause death or permanent
injury. If fuel is swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
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222

²Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel
vapor of any kind can lead to eye and respiratory
tract irritation. In severe cases, excessive or
prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.
²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is
splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if
worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical
attention could lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the
skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or
clothing, promptly remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel
liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking
ªAntabuseº or other forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal
injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed
on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water. Consult a physician immediately
if you experience an adverse reaction.
When refueling always shut the engine off
and never allow sparks or open flames near
the filler neck. Never smoke while refueling. Fuel
vapor is extremely hazardous under certain
conditions. Care should be taken to avoid inhaling
excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle
can produce static electricity, which can
cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an ungrounded
fuel container.
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223

Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up
when filling an ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the
vehicle (including the cargo area).
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the
fuel container while filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel
pump handle in the fill position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a 1/8 turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
ªCheck Fuel Capº illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position to ensure your bulb is
working. When this light turns on, check the fuel
filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the
Check Fuel Cap light on, can activate the Service
Engine Soon warning. When the fuel filler cap is
properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a
period of normal driving.It may take a long
period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace
it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for
your vehicle. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel
system if the correct genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
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224

The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel
tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel
cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel
is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage
critical fuel system components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel
additives with metallic compounds, including
manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for
which your vehicle was not designed may not be
covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is
designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline with pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend
the use of gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that are
sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high
altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions while you are using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or
a qualified service technician to prevent any engine
damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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225

Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation driveability problems during a cold start,
try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded gasoline.
ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended
(particularly in the United States) because it may
cause these problems to become more pronounced.
If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket
products to your fuel tank if you continue to use
high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the
fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of using
an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be
covered by your warranty.
Many of the world's
automakers issued the
World-wide Fuel
Charter that
recommends gasoline
specifications to
provide improved
performance and
emission control
system protection for your vehicle. Gasolines that
meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used
when available. Ask your fuel supplier about
gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter. In
Canada, look for fuels that display theAuto
Makers' Choiceylogo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated
ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may
have an adverse affect on powertrain components.
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226

If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to
ON several times after refueling, to allow the fuel
system to pump the fuel from the tank to the
engine.
²Your ªService Engine Soonº indicator may come
on. For more information on the ªService Engine
Soonº indicator, refer to theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized
Motorcraft part. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel system if an
authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel
economy is you, the driver. You must gather
information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel
gauge readings are NOT accurate as a measure of
fuel economy. We do not recommend taking fuel
economy measurements during the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles) of driving (engine break-in period).
You will get a more accurate measurement after
3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your
vehicle is equal to the rated refill capacity of the fuel
tank as listed in theRefill capacitiessection of this
chapter.
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227

The advertised capacity is the amount of the
indicated capacity and the empty reserve combined.
Indicated capacity is the difference in the amount of
fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge
indicates empty. Empty reserve is the small amount
of fuel remaining in the fuel tank after the fuel
gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve
varies and should not be relied upon to
increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty,
you might not be able to refuel the full amount
of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due
to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position
prior to refueling, an error in the reading will
result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium
Ð high) each time the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when
filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane
rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a
national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have
the vehicle facing the same direction each time
you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the
same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling
method is consistent.
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