2004 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

Never attach two LATCH child safety seats
to the same anchor. In a crash, one anchor
may not be strong enough to hold two child safety
seat attachments and may break, causing serious
injury or death.
The lower anchors for
child seat installation
are located at the rear
section of the rear seat
between the cushion
and seat back. The
LATCH anchors are
below the locator
symbols on the seat
back. One pair of
anchors are provided
for each rear designated seating position.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to
properly install a child seat with LATCH
attachments. Two plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained at no charge from any Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. They snap onto the LATCH
lower anchors in the seat to help attach a child seat
with rigid attachments. The guides hold the seat
trim away to expose the anchor and make it easier
to attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the
child seat only to the anchors shown.
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH
attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough
to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap
just snug without lifting the front of the child seat.
Keeping the child seat just touching the vehicle seat
gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the
seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and
tether anchor. Try to tilt the child seat from side to
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
97

side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see
if the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly,
the risk of a child being injured in a crash
greatly increases.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
98

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel, automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For vehicles equipped
with a manual transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever to release the key.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel. This position
also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to
be moved from the P (Park) position without the
brake pedal being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition and in the
OFF position, the automatic transmission
shift lever can be moved from the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal depressed. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always set the
parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain
control system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the
accelerator before or during starting. Only use the
3
1
2
5
4
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
99

accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
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.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage
or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the garage door before
you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
When the key is in the ignition and in the
OFF position, the automatic transmission
shift lever can be moved from the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal depressed. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always set the
parking brake.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
100

Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts.
For more information on safety belts and their
proper usage, refer to theSeating and Safety
Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical
accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the
parking brake is set.
•Make sure the
gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle
with a manual
transmission:
1. Make sure the
parking brake is set.
2. Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
101

•Turn the key to 4
(ON) without
turning the key to 5
(START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
1
2
34
5
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
102

Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
2. Turn the key to 5
(START), then release
the key as soon as the
engine starts.
Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five
seconds on the first try, turn the key to 3 (OFF),
wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try
again; this will allow the engine to crank with the
fuel shut off in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant
which aids in starting and heater/defroster
performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23°C (-10°F) or below. For
best results, plug the heater in at least three hours
before starting the vehicle. The heater can be
plugged in the night before starting the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not
use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
3
2
1
5
4
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped
for a long period of time, open the windows at least
2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal,
continuous grinding or continuous squeal sound is
present, the brake linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified service
technician. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Refer toBrake system
warning lightin the
Instrument Cluster
chapter for information
on the brake system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS). This system helps you
maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the
ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation may be
observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or
mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
The ABS lamp in the
instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the ABS may be
disabled and may need to be serviced.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
104