The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel
tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel
cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel
is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage
critical fuel system components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel
additives with metallic compounds, including
manganese-based additives.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for
which your vehicle was not designed may not be
covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is
designed to use
“Regular”unleaded
gasoline with pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend
the use of gasolines labeled as“Regular”that are
sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high
altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions while you are using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or
a qualified service technician to prevent any engine
damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
185
Mach 1
Your vehicle is
designed to use
“Premium”unleaded
gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or higher for optimum
performance. The use of gasolines with lower octane
ratings may degrade performance. We do not
recommend the use of gasolines labeled as
“Premium”in high altitude areas that are sold with
octane ratings of less than 91.
If your engine knocks under most driving conditions
while you are using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation driveability problems during a cold start,
try a different brand of unleaded gasoline.
“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended
for vehicles designed to use“Regular”unleaded
gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist,
see your dealer or a qualified service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket
products to your fuel tank if you continue to use
high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the
fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of using
an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be
covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the
World-wide Fuel Charter that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved performance and
emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter
should be used when available. Ask your fuel
supplier about gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
186
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your
vehicle is equal to the rated refill capacity of the fuel
tank as listed in theRefill capacitiessection of this
chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the
indicated capacity and the empty reserve combined.
Indicated capacity is the difference in the amount of
fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge
indicates empty. Empty reserve is the small amount
of fuel remaining in the fuel tank after the fuel
gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve
varies and should not be relied upon to
increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty,
you might not be able to refuel the full amount
of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due
to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position
prior to refueling, an error in the reading will
result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium
—high) each time the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when
filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane
rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a
national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have
the vehicle facing the same direction each time
you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the
same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling
method is consistent.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
188
ENGINE DATA
Engine OHV V6
engine4.6L SOHC
V8 engine4.6L 4v V8
engine
(Mach 1)
Cubic inches 232 281 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane 91 Octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug
gap1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056
inch)
Ignition
systemEDIS Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression
ratio9.4:1 9.4:1 10.1 :1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle
dimensionsCoupe mm (in) Convertible mm
(in)
(1) Overall length 4653.3 (183.2) 4653.3 (183.2)
(2) Overall width 1856.7 (73.1) 1856.7 (73.1)
(3) Overall height 1348.7 (53.1) 1351.3 (53.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2571.2 (101.2) 2571.2 (101.2)
(5) Track - Front 1521.5 (59.9) 1521.5 (59.9)
(5) Track - Rear 1526.5 (60.1) 1526.5 (60.1)
25
3
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
221
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 136
Emergency Flashers 124
Emission control
system ...................... 191
Engine ...................... 221
cleaning ................. 155
coolant ................... 174
idle speed control . 171
lubrication
specifications. 218, 221
refill capacities ...... 215
service
points ............. 164–166
Engine block
heater ....................... 103
Engine oil ................ 167
checking and
adding .................... 167
dipstick .................. 167
filter,
specifications. 170, 215
recommendations . 170
refill capacities ...... 215
specifications. 218, 221
Exhaust fumes ........ 103
F
Floor mats ................. 50
Fluid capacities ....... 215
Foglamps ................... 35
Fuel .......................... 182
calculating fuel
economy ................ 187
cap ......................... 184
capacity ................. 215choosing the
right fuel ................ 185
comparisons with
EPA fuel economy
estimates ............... 191
detergent in fuel ... 187
filling your vehicle
with fuel. 182, 184, 188
filter,
specifications. 187, 215
improving fuel
economy ................ 187
octane
rating ..... 185–186, 221
quality .................... 186
running out of fuel 187
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 182
Fuses ................ 125–126
G
Gas cap (see
Fuel cap) ................. 184
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ........ 187
Gauges ....................... 14
H
Hazard flashers ....... 124
Head restraints ......... 64
Headlamps ................. 35
aiming ...................... 37
bulb specifications .. 39
daytime running
lights ........................ 35
flash to pass ............ 36
high beam ............... 36
replacing bulbs ....... 40
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
230
turning on and off .. 35
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system.33
Hood ........................ 162
I
Ignition ............... 99, 221
Infant seats (see
Safety seats) ............. 88
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 193
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 157
cluster ...................... 10
lighting up panel
and interior ............. 36
J
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 136
K
Keys
positions of the
ignition .................... 99
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ........................ 39
daytime running
light .......................... 35
fog lamps ................. 35
headlamps ......... 35, 40headlamps, flash
to pass ..................... 36
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 36
interior lamps ... 38–39
replacing
bulbs ............ 38, 40–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 38
Lights, warning and
indicator .................... 10
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) .................... 104
Limited slip axle
(see Traction Loc) .. 108
Load limits ............... 117
Locks
doors ........................ 54
Lubricant
specifications ... 218, 221
Lug nuts, anti-theft . 134
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 65
M
Manual transmission. 114
fluid capacities ...... 215
lubricant
specifications ........ 221
reverse ................... 115
Mirrors
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 46
Motorcraft
parts ................. 187, 215
O
Octane rating .. 185–186
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
231