2003 FORD MUSTANG check engine

service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
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.
Illumination of the“Service Engine Soon”light,
charging system warning light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the
emission control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle’s emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning lights
and chimessection of theInstrument cluster
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
Maintenance and Specifications
224

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

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
Maintenance and Specifications
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
Maintenance and Specifications
228

until it is at normal operating temperature
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has
been operated for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a
trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag. If necessary, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin this
chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated area for
normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the ambient temperature is above 10°C
(50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
229

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
2Motorcraft
SAE 80W-90
Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant7 .5 inch axle 1.5L (3.25
pints)
Motorcraft
SAE 75W-140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
Lubricant8.8 inch axle 2.0L (4.25
pints)
Fuel tank N/A All 59.4L (15.7
gallons)
Transmission
fluid
3Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAutomatic
with 3.8L
OHV V6
engine13.1L (13.9
quarts)4
Automatic
with 4.6L
SOHC V8
engine12.0L (12.8
quarts)4
Motorcraft
MERCON
AT FManual with
3.8L OHV V6
engine2.6L (5.6
pints)5
Synthetic
MERCON
AT FManual with
4.6L SOHC
V8 engine3.8L (8.0
pints)5
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.8L (4.0
quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your
vehicle.
2Rear axle lubricants do not need to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected, service is
required or the axle assembly has been submerged
in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any
time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill
6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below
bottom of fill hole. Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive
Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent
Maintenance and Specifications
239

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

C
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 238
Cargo net ................... 78
CD player .................. 43
CD-single premium ... 19
Certification Label .. 243
Changing a tire ....... 165
Child safety
restraints ................. 120
child safety
belts ....................... 120
Child safety seats .... 123
attaching with
tether straps ......... 127
in front seat .......... 125
in rear seat ............ 125
Cleaning your vehicle
engine
compartment ......... 188
instrument panel .. 190
interior ................... 191
plastic parts .......... 190
washing .................. 187
waxing ................... 187
wheels .................... 188
wiper blades .......... 190
Climate control
(see Air conditioning
or Heating) ................ 63
Clock .............. 24, 34, 48
Clutch
adjusting ................ 228
operation while
driving ................... 150
recommended
shift speeds ........... 151Console ...................... 84
Controls
power seat ............. 100
Convertible ................ 85
cleaning ................. 192
installation of
the boot ................... 86
lowering the
convertible top ........ 85
raising the
convertible top ........ 87
Coolant
checking and
adding .................... 206
refill
capacities ....... 212, 238
specifications... 240, 242
Cruise control
(see Speed control) .. 80
Customer
Assistance ................ 157
Ford accessories
for your vehicle .... 192
Ford Extended
Service Plan .......... 178
Getting assistance
outside the U.S.
and Canada ........... 183
Getting roadside
assistance .............. 157
Getting the service
you need ............... 176
Ordering additional
owner’s literature . 184
The Dispute
Settlement Board . 179
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................. 183
Index
249