Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment
Release Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When
HotBattery
Avoid Smoking,
Flames, or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering
FluidMaintain Correct
Fluid LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger
Compartment Air
FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
9
Tachometer:Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute. Driving with your
tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the
scale may damage the engine.
•Base instrument
cluster
•Optional instrument
cluster
•Mach 1 instrument
cluster
Battery voltage
gauge:Indicates the
battery voltage when
the ignition is in the
ON position. If the pointer moves and stays outside
the normal operating range, have the vehicle’s
electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure
gauge:Indicates
engine oil pressure.
The needle should stay
in the normal operating range (between“L”and
“H”). If the needle falls below the normal range, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a
qualified technician.
LH
LH
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
16
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the
reservoir if the level is
low. In very cold
weather, do not fill the
reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid
that meets Ford
specification
WSB-M8B16–A2. Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic
compounds may restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold
weather protection without damaging the vehicle’s
paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures
below 4.5°C (40°F), use washer fluid with
antifreeze protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and increase
the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant
reservoir. Washer fluid placed in the cooling system
may harm engine and cooling system components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the
appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to
Checking the engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal
range, add only certified engine oil of the
recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler
cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil
level is not above the MAX mark on the engine oil
level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the
filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until three clicks
are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the
vehicle with the engine oil level indicator
and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this
certification trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines”by the
American Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your
engine’s warranty use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an
equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C153–H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides
optimum fuel economy and durability
performance meeting all requirements for your
vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives,
cleaners or other engine treatments. They are
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
170
unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that is
not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate
schedule listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil
filters are designed for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter is used that does
not meet Ford material and design specifications,
start-up engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine application.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
Motorcraft
maintenance-free
battery which normally
does not require
additional water during
its life of service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature
climates, check the battery electrolyte level. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service
interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
“level indicator”. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can
add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do
not use hard water (water with a high mineral or
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled water. If the battery
needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it
is reinstalled after the battery has been
cleaned or replaced.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
171
•Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should
be checked at the mileage intervals in the scheduled
maintenance guide. The coolant concentration
should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F).
Coolant concentration testing is possible with a
hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060).
The level of coolant should be maintained at the
“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the coolant
reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the
instructions in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine
coolant and water concentration. If the
concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not
work properly.A50–50 mixture of coolant and
water provides the following:
•freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F)
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F)
•protection against rust and other forms of
corrosion
•enables calibrated gages to function properly
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
174
•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
attaching with
tether straps ........... 93
in front seat ............ 90
in rear seat .............. 90
Cleaning your vehicle
engine
compartment ......... 155
instrument panel .. 157
interior ................... 158
plastic parts .......... 156
safety belts ............ 158
washing .................. 153
waxing ................... 153
wheels .................... 154
wiper blades .......... 157
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash ........... 30
MACH MP3 ............. 23
Clutch
adjusting ................ 196
operation while
driving ................... 114
recommended
shift speeds ........... 115
Console ...................... 49
Controls
power seat ............... 65
Convertible ................ 50
cleaning ................. 157
installation of the
boot .......................... 51
lowering the
convertible top ........ 50
raising the
convertible top ........ 52
Coolant
checking and
adding .................... 174
refill
capacities ....... 180, 215specifications. 218, 221
Cruise control (see
Speed control) .......... 46
Customer
Assistance ................ 122
Ford accessories
for your vehicle .... 159
Ford Extended
Service Plan .......... 144
Getting assistance
outside the U.S.
and Canada ........... 149
Getting roadside
assistance .............. 122
Getting the
service you need .. 142
Ordering additional
owner’s literature . 150
The Dispute
Settlement Board . 145
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................. 149
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) .............. 35
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid . 196
engine oil ............... 167
Doors
lubricant
specifications ........ 218
Driving under
special conditions ... 113
through water ....... 116
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
229