2003 FORD MUSTANG battery

BATTERY
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
Motorcraft
maintenance-free
battery which normally
does not require
additional water during
its life of service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature
climates, check the battery electrolyte level. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service
interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
“level indicator”. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can
add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do
not use hard water (water with a high mineral or
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled water. If the battery
needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it
is reinstalled after the battery has been
cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of
the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly fastened to the
battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminals and clean with
a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a
solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and Specifications
203

Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Therefore,
do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls could
cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting
in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with
water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim
strategy for optimum driveability and performance.
To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the
parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
Maintenance and Specifications
204

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

ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should
be checked at the mileage intervals in the scheduled
maintenance guide. The coolant concentration
should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F).
Coolant concentration testing is possible with a
hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060).
The level of coolant should be maintained at the
“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the coolant
reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the
instructions in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine
coolant and water concentration. If the
concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not
work properly.A50–50 mixture of coolant and
water provides the following:
•freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F)
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F)
•protection against rust and other forms of
corrosion
•enables calibrated gages to function properly
•3.8L OHV V6 engine
Maintenance and Specifications
206

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
Maintenance and Specifications
225

•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer
needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help
prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these
components from your vehicle when using snow
tires and chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.8L OHV V6
engine4.6L SOHC V8
engine
Air filter element FA-1611 FA-1634
Fuel filter FG-986 FG-986B
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-42EE** AWSF-32P
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information
(VECI) decal for spark plug gap information.
**If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. If a spark plug
needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the
same service part number suffix letter as shown on
the engine decal.
Maintenance and Specifications
237

A
ABS (see Brakes) ... 140
Air bag supplemental
restraint
system .............. 114–115
and child safety
seats ....................... 116
description ............ 115
disposal .................. 119
driver air bag ........ 117
indicator
light .................. 11, 119
operation ............... 117
passenger
air bag .................... 117
Air cleaner filter ..... 237
Air conditioning
manual heating
and air conditioning
system ..................... 63
Antifreeze
(see Engine
coolant) ................... 206
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .... 140–141
Anti-theft system
warning light ........... 11
Audio system
(see Radio) .......... 19, 43
Automatic
transmission ............ 144
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 146
fluid, adding .......... 228
fluid, checking ...... 228
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 238
fluid,
specification .......... 242Auxiliary power
point ........................... 78
Axle
lubricant
specifications... 240, 242
refill capacities ...... 238
traction lok ............ 144
B
Battery ..................... 203
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 203
charging system
warning light ........... 11
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 170
maintenance-free .. 203
replacement,
specifications ........ 237
servicing ................ 203
voltage gauge .......... 16
BeltMinder ............... 109
Brakes .............. 138, 141
anti-lock ......... 140–141
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ... 13, 141
brake warning
light .......................... 14
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 226
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 238
fluid,
specifications... 240, 242
lubricant
specifications... 240, 242
parking .................. 139
shift interlock ........ 144
Break-in period ........... 5
Bulbs .......................... 71
Index
248

running out
of
fuel ......................... 218
safety information
relating to
automotive fuels ... 214
Fuses ........................ 160
G
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ... 12, 216
Gas mileage
(see
Fuel economy) ........ 219
Gauges ....................... 15
battery voltage
gauge ....................... 16
engine coolant
temperature
gauge ....................... 15
engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 16
fuel gauge ................ 16
odometer ................. 17
speedometer ........... 17
tachometer .............. 17
trip odometer .......... 18
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 154
definition ............... 154
driving with a
heavy load ............. 154
location .................. 154
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 154
calculating ............. 154
definition ............... 154
driving with a
heavy load ............. 154
location .................. 154H
Hazard flashers ....... 158
Head restraints ......... 99
Headlamps ................. 67
aiming ................ 68–69
bulb specifications .. 71
daytime running
lights ........................ 67
flash to pass ............ 68
high beam ......... 10, 68
replacing bulbs ....... 72
turning on and off .. 67
warning chime ........ 15
Heating
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 63
Hood ........................ 196
I
Ignition ............. 133, 242
removing the key .. 153
Infant seats (see
Safety seats) ........... 123
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 224
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 190
cluster ...................... 10
lighting up panel
and interior ............. 68
J
Jack .......................... 165
positioning ............. 165
storage ................... 165
Index
251