2003 FORD MUSTANG fuel pump

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
“Regular”unleaded
gasoline with pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend
the use of gasolines labeled as“Regular”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
Maintenance and Specifications
217

•You 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.
•Your“Service Engine Soon”indicator may come
on. For more information on the“Service Engine
Soon”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 fill-ups 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.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the
indicated capacity and the empty reserve combined.
Indicated capacity is the difference in the amount of
Maintenance and Specifications
219

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:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position
prior to refueling, an error in the reading will
result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium
—high) each time the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when
filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane
rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a
national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have
the vehicle facing the same direction each time
you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the
same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling
method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial
odometer reading (in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of
fuel added (in liters or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the
fuel tank and record the current odometer reading.
Maintenance and Specifications
220

D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) .............. 67
Defrost
rear window ............ 66
Dipstick
automatic
transmission
fluid ........................ 228
engine oil ............... 199
Doors
lubricant
specifications ........ 240
Driving under
special conditions
through water ....... 153
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 170
Emission control
system ...................... 223
Engine ...................... 242
check engine/service
engine soon light .... 11
cleaning ................. 188
coolant ................... 206
idle speed control.... 203
lubrication
specifications... 240, 242
refill capacities ...... 238
service
points ............. 197–198
starting after
a collision .............. 159
Engine block
heater ....................... 137
Engine oil ................ 199checking and
adding .................... 199
dipstick .................. 199
filter,
specifications... 202, 237
recommendations.... 202
refill capacities ...... 238
specifications... 240, 242
Exhaust fumes ........ 137
F
Floor mats ................. 85
Fluid capacities ....... 238
Foglamps ................... 67
Fuel .......................... 214
calculating fuel
economy ................ 219
cap ................... 12, 216
capacity ................. 238
choosing the
right fuel ................ 217
comparisons with
EPA fuel economy
estimates ............... 223
detergent in fuel ... 218
filling your
vehicle with
fuel ......... 214, 216, 219
filter,
specifications... 219, 237
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 159
gauge ....................... 16
improving fuel
economy ................ 219
low fuel warning
light .......................... 13
octane
rating ............. 217, 242
quality .................... 218
Index
250