2003 FORD MUSTANG octane

recommended octane and/or properly installing and
securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving
cycles without these or any other temporary
malfunctions present, the light should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No
additional vehicle service is required.
If the light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at
the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate
fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration)
and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could damage the
catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Check fuel cap
Illuminates when the
fuel cap is not installed
correctly. Check the
fuel cap for proper
installation. When the fuel filler cap is properly
re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a period of
normal driving. Continuing to operate the vehicle
with the check fuel cap light on, or a mis-installed
fuel cap can activate theService Engine
Soon/Check Enginewarning light.
It may take a long period of time for the
system to detect an improperly installed fuel
filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
Instrument Cluster
12

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

Fuelquality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation driveability problems during a cold start,
try a different brand of“Regular”unleaded gasoline.
“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended
(particularly in the United States) because it may
cause these problems to become more pronounced.
If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket
products to your fuel tank if you continue to use
high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the
fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of using
an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be
covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s
automakers issued the
World-wide Fuel
Charter that
recommends gasoline
specifications to
provide improved
performance and
emission control
system protection for your vehicle. Gasolines that
meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used
when available. Ask your fuel supplier about
gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter. In
Canada, look for fuels that display theAuto
Makers’Choice
logo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated
“cleaner-burning”gasolines to improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may
have an adverse affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
Maintenance and Specifications
218

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

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
Maintenance and Specifications
242

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

Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 170
K
Keys ..................... 95–97
key in ignition
chime ....................... 14
positions of the
ignition .................. 133
removing from
the ignition ............ 153
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ........................ 71
cargo lamps ............. 68
daytime running
light .......................... 67
fog lamps ................. 67
headlamps ......... 67, 72
headlamps, flash
to pass ..................... 68
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 68
interior lamps ... 70, 72
replacing
bulbs .................. 71–75
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 70
Lights, warning and
indicator .................... 10
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) .............. 13, 141
anti-theft ................. 11
brake ........................ 14
charging system ...... 11
fuel cap light ........... 12high beam ............... 10
low fuel .................... 13
overdrive off ............ 13
safety belt ............... 10
service engine
soon ......................... 11
traction control
active ....................... 13
turn signal
indicator .................. 10
Limited slip axle
(see Traction Loc) .. 144
Load limits ............... 154
GAWR .................... 154
GVWR .................... 154
trailer towing ........ 154
Locks
doors ........................ 89
Lubricant
specifications ... 240, 242
Lug nuts,
anti-theft .................. 169
Lumbar support,
seats ......................... 100
M
Manual
transmission ............ 150
fluid capacities ...... 238
lubricant
specifications ........ 242
reverse ................... 152
Mirrors
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 80
Motorcraft
parts ................. 219, 237
O
Octane rating .......... 217
Index
252