Page 9 of 240
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
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Page 15 of 240
•Optional instrument
cluster
•Mach 1 instrument
cluster
Engine coolant
temperature gauge:
Indicates engine
coolant temperature. At
normal operating temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between“H”and“C”). If it enters
the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
engine and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
Odometer:Registers
the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer:
Registers the
kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys.
Press and release the
reset button until a“T”
appears in the display.
Press and hold the button for three seconds to reset.
CH
0
00000 00
4
5
6
7
8 3
2
1RPMX1000
SELECT/RESET
.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Page 103 of 240

Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
2. Turn the key to 5
(START), then release
the key as soon as the
engine starts.
Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five
seconds on the first try, turn the key to 3 (OFF),
wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try
again; this will allow the engine to crank with the
fuel shut off in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant
which aids in starting and heater/defroster
performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23°C (-10°F) or below. For
best results, plug the heater in at least three hours
before starting the vehicle. The heater can be
plugged in the night before starting the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not
use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
3
2
1
5
4
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Page 167 of 240

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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•NEVER increase the coolant concentration
above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations
above 60% will decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate freeze
protection at the temperatures in which you
drive in the winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant
concentration above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration
below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the corrosion
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the freeze
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate protection at
the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates
should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONAT F.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
OHV V6 engine,
check the power
steering fluid level with
the engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
FILL
HOT
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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