Page 190 of 240
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in N
(Neutral).
2. Block the wheels.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located on the
driver’s side kick panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood and secure it with
the prop rod.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
190
Page 193 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 40°F (4.5°C),
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).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
193
Page 199 of 240

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
199
Page 200 of 240

will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•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 listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guide. The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). 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“FULL COLD”level or
within the“COLD FILL RANGE”in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
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.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
200
Page 213 of 240

•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in yourScheduled Maintenance Guide
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in theScheduled Maintenance
Guideare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
213
Page 217 of 240

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The 5R55S transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. Use only
MERCONV automatic transmission fluid. The type of fluid used is
indicated on the transmission fluid pan, extension housing and also in
theLubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage and void the warranty.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
217
Page 218 of 240
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level.
3. Note: There are two different manual transmissions used in this
vehicle and they have different fluid levels. For vehicles equipped with a
V6 engine the correct manual transmission fill level is at the lower edge
of the filler hole. For vehicles equipped with a V8 engine the correct
manual transmission fill level is 1.3 cm (1/2 inch) below the edge of the
filler hole.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
218
Page 221 of 240

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
1Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.0L V6 engine 12.5 quarts
(11.8L)
4.6L V8 engine 12.72 quarts
(13.4L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4.0L V6 engine Fill to between
MIN and MAX
lines on
reservoir 4.6L V8 engine
Rear axle
lubricant
2Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant7.5 inch axle
(V6)3.25 pints (1.5L)
8.8 inch axle
(V8)4.25 pints (2.0L)
Fuel tank N/A All 16.0 gallons
(60.6L)
Transmission
fluid–
Automatic
3
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAll 11.9 quarts
(11.2L)4
Transmission
fluid–Manual3Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4.0L V6 engine 2.75 quarts
(2.6L)5
4.6L V8 engine 3.2 quarts
(3.0L)5
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.0 quarts
(3.8L)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
2Rear axle lubricants do not need to be checked or changed unless a
leak is suspected, service is required or the axle assembly has been
submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any time the
rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm
to 14 mm) below bottom of fill hole. Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive
Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford specification
EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of Traction-Lok axles.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
221