2003 FORD MUSTANG ESP

through the booster may be heard whenever the
brake is applied. This condition is normal. Vehicle
service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes
very poor, even when the pedal is strongly
depressed, it may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle
safely as soon as possible and seek service
immediately.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to decrease
the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power
steering pump fluid level below the MIN mark on
the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
TRACTION CONTROL
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Control
system. This system helps you
maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery road
Driving
142

Removingkeyfrom ignition
•Turn the ignition key
to position 3 (OFF).
•Push the release
lever forward and
rotate the key
towards you and
remove.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims
(for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage. Have the fluid checked
and, if water is found, replace the fluid.
Driving
153

In order to help you service your Ford or Lincoln
Mercury vehicle, please have the following
information available when contacting a Customer
Relationship Center:
•Your telephone number (home and business)
•The name of the dealer and the city where the
dealership is located
•The year and make of your vehicle
•The date of vehicle purchase
•The current odometer reading
•The vehicle identification number (VIN)
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty
dispute, you may wish to contact the Dispute
Settlement Board (U.S.).
In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify
Ford in writing before pursuing remedies under your
state’s warranty laws. Ford is also allowed a final
repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be
submitted to the Dispute Settlement Board before
taking action under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before
pursuing replacement or repurchase remedies
provided by certain state laws. This dispute handling
procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent
of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state
replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides
the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on
the plan you purchase (such as: reimbursement
for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and
wear items).
Customer Assistance
178

•Protection against covered repair costs after your
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford and Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Canada
dealer. There are several plans available in various
time, distance and deductible combinations which
can be tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford
ESP also offers reimbursement benefits for towing
and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada,
provided by a network of more than 5,000
participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended
Service Plan at the time of purchasing your vehicle,
you may still be eligible. Please contact your dealer
for further information. Since this information is
subject to change, please ask your dealer for
complete details about Ford Extended Service Plan
coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD
(U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
•an independent, third-party arbitration program
for warranty disputes.
•available free to owners and lessees of qualifying
Ford Motor Company vehicles.
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available in
all states. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to
change eligibility limitations, modify procedures
and/or to discontinue this service without notice and
without incurring obligations per applicable state law.
What kinds of cases does the Board review?
Unresolved warranty repair concerns or vehicle
performance concerns as on Ford and Lincoln
Mercury cars and Ford and Lincoln Mercury light
Customer Assistance
179

If you cannot find unleaded fuel or can only get fuel
with an anti-knock index lower than is
recommended for your vehicle, contact a district or
owner relations/customer relationship office.
The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without
proper conversion may damage the effectiveness of
your emission control system and may cause engine
knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor
Company/Ford of Canada is not responsible for any
damage caused by use of improper fuel.
In the United States, using leaded fuel may also
result in difficulty importing your vehicle back into
the U.S.
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are
traveling or living in Central or South America, the
Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the nearest
Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot help you,
write or call:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
WORLDWIDE DIRECT MARKET OPERATIONS
1555 Fairlane Drive
Fairlane Business Park #3
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
U.S.A.
Telephone: (313) 594-4857
FAX: (313) 390-0804
If you are in another foreign country, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership employees
cannot help you, they can direct you to the nearest
Ford affiliate office.
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then
relocate outside of the U.S. or Canada, register your
vehicle identification number (VIN) and new address
with Ford Motor Company Worldwide Direct Market
Operations.
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S
LITERATURE
To order the publications in this portfolio, contact
Helm, Incorporated at:
Customer Assistance
184

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm
water and a neutral Ph shampoo, such as Detail
Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap,
such as dish washing or laundry liquid. These
products can discolor and spot painted surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or
during exposure to strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with
plenty of water for best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth
towel in order to eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle
regularly during the winter months, as dirt and
road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel
fuel, bird droppings and insect deposits because
they can cause damage to the vehicle’s paintwork
and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as
antennas, before entering a car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can
damage any painted surface; if these
substances come in contact with your
vehicle, wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle
every six months will assist in reducing minor
scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with
any non-body (low-gloss black) colored trim, such
as grained door handles, roof racks, bumpers, side
moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the
parts over time.
Cleaning
187

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine
compartment for easy location.
•We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which
makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your
dealership can provide the necessary parts and
service. Check yourWarranty Guide/Owner
Information Guideto find out which parts and
services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and
service parts conforming to specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR
VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle.
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•When the engine is running, keep loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair away from moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running
in an enclosed space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
•Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit
material away from the battery and all fuel related
parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
“relearn”its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
Maintenance and Specifications
194

3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning
process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10
miles) or more to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its
idle trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may
be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. As a result of this, the transmission may
shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time the adaptive learning
process will fully update transmission operation to
its optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new
battery has been installed, the clock and the preset
radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
205