
Even when the ABS is
disabled, normal
braking is still effective.
(If your BRAKE
warning lamp illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced
immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous
force on the brake pedal; do not pump the brake
pedal since this will reduce the effectiveness of the
ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately,
allowing you to retain full steering control during
hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However, the
ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
Hydraulic brake booster system (Hydroboost)
(if equipped)
The Hydroboost system receives fluid pressure from
the power steering pump to provide power assist
during braking.
For Hydroboost-equipped vehicles operating under
normal conditions, the noise of the fluid flowing
through the booster may be heard whenever the
brake is applied. This condition is normal; vehicle
service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes
very poor, even when the pedal is strongly
depressed, it may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle
safely as soon as possible and seek service
immediately.
P!
BRAKE
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
105

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Helm, Incorporated can also be reached by their
website: www.helminc.com.
(Items in this catalog may be purchased by credit
card, check or money order.)
Obtaining a French owner’s guide
French Owner’s Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d) requires that,
if a manufacturer or its representative is unable to
repair a motor vehicle to conform to the vehicle’s
applicable express warranty after a reasonable
number of attempts, the manufacturer shall be
required to either replace the vehicle with one
substantially identical or repurchase the vehicle and
reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the
actual price paid or payable by the consumer (less a
reasonable allowance for consumer use). The
consumer has the right to choose whether to receive
a refund or replacement vehicle.
California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b) presumes
that the manufacturer has had a reasonable number
of attempts to conform the vehicle to its applicable
express warranties if, within the first 18 months of
ownership of a new vehicle or the first 29,000 km
(18,000 miles), whichever occurs first:
1. Two or more repair attempts are made on the
same nonconformity likely to cause death or serious
bodily injury OR
2. Four or more repair attempts are made on the
same nonconformity (a defect or condition that
substantially impairs the use, value or safety of the
vehicle) OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of
nonconformities for a total of more than 30 calendar
days (not necessarily all at one time)
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
151

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 additives.
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
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
185

Mach 1
Your vehicle is
designed to use
“Premium”unleaded
gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or higher for optimum
performance. The use of gasolines with lower octane
ratings may degrade performance. We do not
recommend the use of gasolines labeled as
“Premium”in high altitude areas that are sold with
octane ratings of less than 91.
If your engine knocks 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.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation driveability problems during a cold start,
try a different brand of unleaded gasoline.
“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended
for vehicles designed to use“Regular”unleaded
gasoline 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 approved 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.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
186
![FORD MUSTANG 2004 4.G Owners Manual •Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel
economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h
[55 mph] uses 15% less fuel than traveling at
105 km/h [65 mph]). FORD MUSTANG 2004 4.G Owners Manual •Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel
economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h
[55 mph] uses 15% less fuel than traveling at
105 km/h [65 mph]).](/manual-img/11/5213/w960_5213-189.png)
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel
economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h
[55 mph] uses 15% less fuel than traveling at
105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in
hilly terrain if unnecessary shifting between third
and fourth gear occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
190

Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified
technician at a reputable repair facility to check for
and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance
or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires
periodically. Advanced and unusual tire wear can
reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in
adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check
your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low
areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for
signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn
down to 4 mm (1/16th
of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent
your vehicle from
skidding and
hydroplaning. Built-in treadwear indicators, or“wear
bars”, which look like narrow strips of smooth
rubber across the tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch).
When you see these“wear bars”, the tire is worn out
and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following
conditions and replace them if one or more of the
following conditions exist:
•Fabric showing through the tire rubber
•Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
•Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
•Cracks in the tread groove
•Impact damage resulting from use
•Separation in the tread
•Separation in the sidewall
•Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a
road tire or the spare tire may be exposed to hot
exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
212

turning on and off .. 35
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system.33
Hood ........................ 162
I
Ignition ............... 99, 221
Infant seats (see
Safety seats) ............. 88
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 193
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 157
cluster ...................... 10
lighting up panel
and interior ............. 36
J
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 136
K
Keys
positions of the
ignition .................... 99
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ........................ 39
daytime running
light .......................... 35
fog lamps ................. 35
headlamps ......... 35, 40headlamps, flash
to pass ..................... 36
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 36
interior lamps ... 38–39
replacing
bulbs ............ 38, 40–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 38
Lights, warning and
indicator .................... 10
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) .................... 104
Limited slip axle
(see Traction Loc) .. 108
Load limits ............... 117
Locks
doors ........................ 54
Lubricant
specifications ... 218, 221
Lug nuts, anti-theft . 134
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 65
M
Manual transmission. 114
fluid capacities ...... 215
lubricant
specifications ........ 221
reverse ................... 115
Mirrors
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 46
Motorcraft
parts ................. 187, 215
O
Octane rating .. 185–186
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
231