2004 FORD MUSTANG overheating

•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
15

Mixing Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant
or any orange-colored extended life product with
your factory filled coolant can result in degraded
corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added, in case of emergency, to reach a
vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled
water as soon as possible. Water alone (without
engine coolant) can cause engine damage from
corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol and
other liquids can cause engine damage from
overheating or freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant.These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of the
engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make
sure the engine is cool before unscrewing
the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system
is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
If you must remove the pressure relief cap or
radiator cap (depending upon engine application),
follow these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
177

If the concentration is not 50/50 (protection to
–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and
additions to obtain a 50/50 coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level
in the coolant reservoir should be checked the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add
enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper
level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of
engine coolant per month, have your dealer check
the engine cooling system. Your cooling system may
have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating and possible
engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use
of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally
equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is
not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in
an appropriate manner. Follow your community’s
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin this
chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
–36°C[–34°F]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant
concentration above 50%.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
180

You can check the fluid without driving if the
ambient temperature is above 10°C (50°F). However,
if fluid is added at this time, an overfill condition
could result when the vehicle reaches normal
operating temperature.
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C [150°F-170°F]).
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at ambient
temperature (10°C-35°C [50°F-95°F]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the
safe range may result
in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible
damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating
condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type
is used. The type of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission
fluid may cause internal transmission
component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint)
increments through the filler tube until the level is
correct.
If an overfill occurs,
excess fluid should be
removed by a qualified
technician.
2004 Mustang(mus)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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