2003 FORD MUSTANG cooling

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot. Steam
and scalding liquid from a hot cooling system can
burn you badly.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Engine oil pressure gauge
Indicates engine oil
pressure. At normal
operating temperature,
the needle will be in
the normal range (the area between the“L”and
“H”); if the needle goes below the normal range,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and
switch off the engine immediately. Check the oil
level. Add oil if needed (refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter). If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
Battery voltage gauge
Indicates battery
voltage. If the pointer
moves and stays
outside the normal
operating range, have the vehicle’s electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in the
fuel tank. The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
LH
LH
F
Instrument Cluster
16

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
Relay 1—Fog lamp interrupt
Relay 2—Interval wiper
Relay 3—Wiper HI/LO
Relay 4—Starter
Relay 5—Fog lamps
1 50A** (4.6L),
30A CB
(3.8L)Electric cooling fan motor
2 30A** Headlamps
3 40A** Starter motor relay, Ignition
switch
4 40A** Ignition switch
5 40A** Ignition switch
6 40A** Instrument cluster,
Powertrain Control Module
(PCM)
7 30A** Secondary air injection
(3.8L only)
8 50A** Anti-lock Brake Sytsem
(ABS) module
9 20A** Auxiliary power point
10 30A** Parklamps
11 30A** Rear window defrost control
12 40A** Power windows, Power
locks
13 30A* MACH 1000 left amplifiers
14 20A* Fuel pump
15 30A* MACH 1000 right amplifiers
16 20A* Horn
17 20A* ABS
18 30A* Power seats
19 10A* Intercooler pump (Cobra
only)
20 20A* Alternator
21—Not used
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164

3. Install the lug nut by turning the wrench
clockwise.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes.
An explosion could result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can
burn skin, eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have
push-start capability; also, the catalytic
converter may become damaged.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the transmission must relearn its shift
strategy. As a result, the transmission may have firm
and/or soft shifts. 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.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your
vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle as this could damage the vehicle’s electrical
system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle making sure the two vehiclesdo
nottouch. Set the parking brake on both vehicles
and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the battery
cables. Ensure the vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect
any electrical surges. Turn all other accessories off.
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170

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
3. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
4. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the engine is
running.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and
place the gearshift in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the engine is
running.
The cooling fan is automatic and may come
on at any time. Always disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery before working
near the fan.
Maintenance and Specifications
195

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Check the washer fluid
whenever you stop for
fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
Add fluid to fill the
reservoir if the level is
low. In very cold
weather, do not fill the
reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford
specification ESR-M17P5–A . Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic
compounds may restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold
weather protection without damaging the vehicle’s
paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant
reservoir. Washer fluid placed in the cooling system
may harm engine and cooling system components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the
appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
199

•4.6L SOHC V8
engine
When the engine is cold, check the level of the
engine coolant in the reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the“cold fill
level”as listed on the engine coolant reservoir.
•Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
service interval schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions
when servicing your vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the
recommended interval, the engine coolant reservoir
may become low or empty. If the reservoir is low or
empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer to
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do
not use engine coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified function and
vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water. Add
the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is
obtained.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine
is hot. Steam and scalding liquids released
from a hot cooling system can burn you badly.
Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
Maintenance and Specifications
207

Do not put engine coolant in the windshield
washer fluid container. If sprayed on the
windshield, engine coolant could make it difficult
to see through the windshield.
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
either green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine
Coolant meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44–A
or yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1. To determine your vehicle’s
coolant type (color), check your coolant reservoir.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant
(green-colored), VC-4–A (U.S.) or CXC-10
(Canada) or Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant (yellow-colored), VC-7–A
(VC-7–B in Oregon), depending on the type
of coolant originally equipped in your
vehicle.If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, check your coolant
reservoir or contact your local dealer.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak
Pellets, VC-6, darkens the color of Motorcraft
Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden
tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended
life coolant such as Motorcraft Speciality
Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44–Dwiththe
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft
Speciality Orange Engine Coolant or any
orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded
corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added, in case of emergency, to reach a
vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled
Maintenance and Specifications
208

water as soon as possible. Water alone (without
engine coolant) can cause engine damage from
corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol and
other liquids can cause engine damage from
overheating or freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant.These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of the
engine coolant.
•Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from
a Ford-approved recycling process (seeUse of
Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make
sure the engine is cool before unscrewing
the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system
is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
If you must remove the pressure relief cap or
radiator cap (depending upon engine application),
follow these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
Engine coolant refill procedure-3.8L V6 engine
Note:Use the following procedure when refilling the
cooling system of a vehicle equipped with a 3.8L V6
engine. Failure to follow this warning may result in
damage to the engine and engine cooling system.
Maintenance and Specifications
209