2004 FORD MUSTANG service

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

system is off, the indicator will be illuminated. If a
system fault is detected while the traction control
system in on, the indicator lamp on the traction
control switch will be illuminated and your vehicle
should be serviced.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions
can cause you to lose control of your vehicle
increasing the risk of severe personal injury or
property damage. The occurrence of a Traction
Control
event is an indication that at least some
of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the
road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If you experience a severe road event,
SLOW DOWN.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a poor
traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s
specified size tires on a Traction-Lok rear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal
driving and should not be noticeable to the driver.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being
moved from P (Park) when the ignition is in the ON
position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park) with ignition in the ON position and the
brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
108

2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the
brake pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
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.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift lever, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and remove
the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
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.
Driving with an automatic overdrive
transmission with console gearshift and O/D off
switch
Your transmission is equipped with an adaptive
learning strategy found in the vehicle computer. This
feature is designed to increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the
vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may have firm
and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
109

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle
concern, Ford Motor Company offers a
complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. The service is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of
three years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles),
whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km
(50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest
Ford Motor Company dealership, or your selling
dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the nearest
Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per
disablement). Even non-warranty related tows,
like accidents or getting stuck in the mud or
snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as
impound towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner
Information Guide for information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
122

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a member
of a roadside assistance program, your roadside
assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with
flatbed equipment. Do not tow with slingbelt or
wheel lift equipment. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt or wheel lift equipment towing
procedure.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or
incorrectly, vehicle damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for
all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck operator refer to this manual for proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
141

GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
At home
You must take your Ford vehicle to an authorized
Ford dealer for warranty repairs. While any Ford
dealership handling your vehicle line will provide
warranty service, we recommend you return to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your continued
satisfaction. Please note that certain warranty
repairs require special training and/or equipment, so
not all dealers are authorized to perform all warranty
repairs. This means that, depending on the warranty
repair needed, you may have to take your vehicle to
another dealer. A reasonable time must be allowed
to perform a repair after taking your vehicle to the
dealership. Repairs will be made using Ford or
Motorcraft parts, or remanufactured or other parts
that are authorized by Ford.
If you have questions or concerns, or are unsatisfied
with the service you are receiving, follow these
steps:
1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service
Advisor at your selling/servicing dealership.
2. If your inquiry or concern remains unresolved,
contact the Sales Manager, Service Manager or
Customer Relations Manager.
3. If you require assistance or clarification on Ford
Motor Company policies or procedures, please
contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at
the number below.
Away from home
If you own a Ford or Mercury vehicle and are away
from home when your vehicle needs service, or if
you need more help than the dealership could
provide, after following the steps described above,
contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center to
find an authorized dealership to help you.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
142

In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48121
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
www.customersaskford.com
In Canada:
Customer Relationship Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
www.ford.ca
If you own a Lincoln vehicle and are away from
home when your vehicle needs service, or if you
need more help than the dealership could provide,
after following the steps described above, contact
the Ford Customer Relationship Center to find an
authorized dealership to help you.
In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48121
1-800-521-4140
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
www.customersaskford.com
In Canada:
Lincoln Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-387-9333
www.lincolncanada.com
In order to help you service your Lincoln vehicle,
please have the following information available when
contacting the Lincoln Centre:
•Your telephone number (home and business)
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
143

•The name of the dealer and the city where the
dealership is located
•The year and make of your vehicle
•The date of vehicle purchase
•The current odometer reading
•The vehicle identification number (VIN)
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty
dispute, you may wish to contact the Dispute
Settlement Board (U.S.).
In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify
Ford in writing before pursuing remedies under your
state’s warranty laws. Ford is also allowed a final
repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be
submitted to the Dispute Settlement Board before
taking action under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before
pursuing replacement or repurchase remedies
provided by certain state laws. This dispute handling
procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent
of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state
replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides
the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on
the plan you purchase (such as: reimbursement
for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and
wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford and Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Canada
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
144