2003 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

For Coupe only:
4. Open the tether
anchor covers.
5. Clip the tether strap
to the anchor as
shown.
For Convertible only:
The tether anchors on
the convertible are
located on the lower
backside of the
seatback.
4. Access tether
anchors located behind
the seatback and pull
away vinyl flap to
expose anchors.
5. Clip the tether strap
to the anchor as
shown.
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129

If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly, the
child safety seat may not be retained
properly in the event of a collision.
6. Refer to theInstalling child safety seats in
combination lap and shoulder belt seating
positionssection of this chapter for further
instructions to secure the child safety seat.
7. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly,
the risk of a child being injured in a collision
greatly increases.
Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments
(if equipped)
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing
mounted attachments that connect to two anchors
at certain seating positions in your vehicle. This type
of child seat eliminates the need to use safety belts
to attach the child seat. For forward-facing child
seats, the tether strap must also be attached to the
proper tether anchor. SeeAttaching safety seats
with tether strapsin this chapter.
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130

Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat
installation at the seating positions marked with the
child seat symbol.
The center of
the rear seat is
NOTdesigned as a
seating position. The
LATCH anchors were
not designed to be
used with a child
seat in the center
position and there is
no tether anchor
available at the
center. Putting a
child seat in the
center would also
block access to the
safety restraint
buckles. Use as a
seating position, with
or without a child
restraint, may
increase the risk of
injury or death.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats
to the same anchor. In a crash, one anchor
may not be strong enough to hold two child safety
seat attachments and may break, causing serious
injury or death.
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131

The lower anchors for
child seat installation
are located at the rear
section of the rear seat
between the cushion
and seat back. The
LATCH anchors are
below the locator
symbols on the seat
back. One pair of
anchors are provided
for each rear designated seating position.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to
properly install a child seat with LATCH
attachments. Two plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-
Mercury Dealer. They snap onto the LATCH lower
anchors in the seat to help attach a child seat with
rigid attachments. The guides hold the seat trim
away to expose the anchor and make it easier to
attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the
child seat only to the anchors shown.
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH
attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough
to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap
just snug without lifting the front of the child seat.
Keeping the child seat just touching the vehicle seat
gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the
seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and
tether anchor. Try to tilt the child seat from side to
side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see
if the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly,
the risk of a child being injured in a crash
greatly increases.
Seating and Safety Restraints
132

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel, automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For vehicle equipped
with a manual transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever to release the key.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel. This position
also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to
be moved from the P (Park) position without the
brake pedal being depressed.
In the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from
the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement,
always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain
control system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
3
1
2
5
4
Driving
133

the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage
or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the garage door before
you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’sidle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed
does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more
than 10 minutes at high engine RPM.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Driving
134

2.Makesure the headlamps and vehicle accessories
are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the
parking brake is set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is set.
•Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
3. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
1
2
34
5
Driving
135

Makesurethecorrespondinglights illuminate or
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the
key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
1. Turn the key to 5
(START) without
pressing the
accelerator pedal and
release as soon as the
engine starts. The key
will return to 4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is
above–12°C (10°F) and the engine does not start
within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to
OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine
does not start in two attempts, press the accelerator
all the way to the floor and hold. Turn the key to
the START position.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
3
2
1
5
4
Driving
136