Page 53 of 240
5. Open both top clamps before the top meets the
windshield header
6. Continue to use the top motor to raise the top
until it has reached the fully closed position flush to
the header.
7. The two pins under the forward edge of the top
should seat themselves in the matching holes in the
header.
8. To fasten both clamps securely, push the clamp
handles into the header on the top until they are
flush with the header. Pulling down on the header at
the center grip while closing the latches may assist
in fastening the clamps.
9. Raise the front and rear side windows.
10. Disengage the parking brake.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
53
Page 71 of 240

The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the
vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The
front passenger and rear seat outboard safety belts
have two types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements
and locking in response to vehicle movement. For
example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a
corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the
combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
The automatic locking mode is not available on the
driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically
pre-locked. The belt will still retract to remove any
slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic locking
mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
This mode should be usedany timea child safety
seat is installed in a passenger front or outboard
rear seating position. Children 12 years old and
under should be properly restrained in the rear seat
whenever possible. Refer toSafety restraints for
childrenorSafety seats for childrenlater in this
chapter.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
71
Page 76 of 240

Reasons given... Consider...
“The people I’m with
don’t wear belts”Set the example, teen deaths
occur 4 times more often in
vehicles with TWO or MORE
people. Children and younger
brothers/sisters imitate behavior
they see.
“I have an air bag”Air bags offer greater protection
when used with safety belts.
Frontal airbags are not designed
to inflate in rear and side
crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown
clear”Not a good idea.Peoplewho
areejected are 40 times
more likely to DIE.Safety
belts help prevent ejection, WE
CAN’T“PICK OUR CRASH”.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to
avoid the Belt Minder chime. Sitting on the
safety belt will increase the risk of injury in an
accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the
Belt Minder feature please follow the directions
stated below.
One time disable
Any time the safety belt is buckled and then
unbuckled during an ignition ON cycle, the
BeltMinder will be disabled for that ignition cycle
only.
Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder feature
Read steps1-9thoroughly before proceeding
with the deactivation/activation programming
procedure.
The BeltMinder feature can be deactivated/activated
by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, ensure that the
following conditions are met:
•The parking brake is set.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
76
Page 99 of 240

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
Page 100 of 240

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
Page 101 of 240
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
Page 102 of 240
•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
Page 104 of 240

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