2003 FORD MUSTANG maintenance schedule

•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in
hilly terrain if unnecessary shifting between third
and fourth gear occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollbars/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12–16 km (8–10
miles) of driving.
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222

•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel
economy as compared to driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window
sticker. Contact your dealer if the window sticker is
not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA window
sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left
corner of the window sticker. These numbers
represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG) expected
on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel
economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission
control components and a catalytic converter which
will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission control
components continue to work properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled
maintenance guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
scheduled maintenance guide are essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions
system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
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223

If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONAT F.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
FILL
HOT
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225

2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a 4.6L
V8 engine,check the
power steering fluid
level with the engine at
ambient temperature.
Allow at least one-half
hour after driving for
the power steering
fluid to cool.
1. Start the engine and
allow the engine to
idle.
2. Turn the steering
wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be
between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if
the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as
needed. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide
for the service interval schedules.
MAXMIN
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226

If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch
adjustment. Refer to
the scheduled
maintenance guide for
the service interval
schedules.
The clutch on your
vehicle is operated by a
cable. As necessary, adjust the clutch as described
below.
1. Turn the engine off and shift into 1 (First).
2. Put your foot under the clutch pedal and gently
pull it up until the pedal stops.
3. Push the clutch pedal down slowly. You will hear a
click as the clutch adjusts itself.
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
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228

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after
the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour
or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the certification label on
the driver side door latch pillar.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs,
they often wear differently. To make sure your tires
wear evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated
in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice
that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
•15 or 16 inch four
tire rotation
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234

meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–Afor
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. MERCON
and MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide to determine the
correct service interval.
4Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some
applications may vary based on cooler size and if
equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of
transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by
the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating
range.
5Service refill capacity is determined by filling the
transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with the
vehicle on a level surface.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft
High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
Lubricant
F7AZ-19G208-BA
and
F5AZ-19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary hood
latch, door
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks and fuel
filler door
hingeMulti-Purpose
Grease
XG-4or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESR-M1C159-A
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240

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. MERCON
and MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. 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 4653.3 (183.2) 4653.3 (183.2)
(2) Overall width 1856.7 (73.1) 1856.7 (73.1)
(3) Overall height 1348.7 (53.1) 1351.3 (53.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2573.0 (101.3) 2573.0 (101.3)
(5) Track - Front 1534.2 (60.4)
11534.2 (60.4)1
(5) Track - Rear 1539.2 (60.6)21539.2 (60.6)2
11521.5 mm (59.9 in) for Mustang GT
21526.5 mm (60.1 in) for Mustang GT
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