
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is
not buckled before the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8
seconds.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the
indicator light is
illuminated and the
warning chime is
sounding...The safety belt warning light
and warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled before the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
will turn on for 3 seconds and
then turn off. The indicator
chime will remain off.
BeltMinder
The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to
the safety belt warning function. This feature
provides additional reminders to the driver that the
driver’s safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt
warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is
not buckled
approximately 5 seconds
after the safety belt
warning light has turned
off...The BeltMinder feature is
activated - the safety belt
warning light illuminates and
the warning chime sounds for 6
seconds every 30 seconds,
repeating for approximately 5
minutes or until safety belt is
buckled.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the safety
belt indicator light is
illuminated and the safety
belt warning chime is
sounding...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
74

•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission).
•The ignition switch is in the OFF position.
•All vehicle doors are closed.
•The driver’s safety belt is unbuckled.
•The parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If
vehicle is equipped with Autolamps, this will not
affect the procedure).
To reduce the risk of injury, do not
deactivate/activate the Belt Minder feature
while driving the vehicle.
BeltMinder activation and deactivation
procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON)
position. (DO NOT START THE ENGINE.)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off.
(Approximately 1–2 minutes.)
•Steps 3–5 must be completed within 60 seconds
or the procedure will have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled. This can be
done before or during BeltMinder warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the
parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled.
•After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be
turned on for three seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning
light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety
belt.
•This will disable BeltMinder if it is currently
enabled, or enable BeltMinder if it is currently
disabled.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
77

7. Confirmation of disabling BeltMinder is provided
by the safety belt warning light flashing four times
per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling BeltMinder is provided
by:
•The safety belt warning light flashing four times
per second for three seconds.
•Followed by three seconds with the safety belt
warning light off.
•Once again, the safety belt warning light will flash
four times per second for three seconds.
9. After receiving confirmation, the
deactivation/activation procedure is complete.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt is too short when fully extended,
there is a 20 cm (8 inch) safety belt extension
assembly that can be added (part number 611C22).
This assembly can be obtained from your dealer at
no cost.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same
supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer
identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if
the safety belt is too short for you when fully
extended.
Do not use extensions to change the fit of
the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not damaged.
Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no
nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety
belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front
seat belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt
height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
78

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

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

Parking brake
To set the parking
brake (1), pull the
parking brake handle
up as far as possible.
The BRAKE warning
lamp will illuminate and
will remain illuminated
until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the
handle up slightly, then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest
turning points (until it stops) for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power
steering pump fluid level (below the MIN mark on
the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
12
P!
BRAKE
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
106

Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up
when filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the
vehicle (including the cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the
fuel container while filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel
pump handle in the fill position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a 1/8 turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
“Check Fuel Cap”illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position to ensure your bulb is
working. When this light turns on, check the fuel
filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the
Check Fuel Cap light on, can activate the Service
Engine Soon warning. When the fuel filler cap is
properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a
period of normal driving.It may take a long
period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace
it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for
your vehicle. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel
system if the correct genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
184

•Have the items listed in your scheduled
maintenance guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
scheduled maintenance guide are essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions
system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
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.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
192