4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
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.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
214
•Theindicator may come on. For more information on the “Check
Engine” or the “Service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
FUEL FILTER
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
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 capacities
section 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.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
219
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•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 inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
221
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 MERCON
AT F.
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).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel to its furthest point
(until it stops) left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from
your authorized dealer immediately.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
225
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 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) below the edge of the
filler hole.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
227
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Automatic
Transmission
fluid
3
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAll 11.9 quarts
(11.2L)4
Manual
Transmission
fluid
3
Motorcraft
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.
3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval.
4Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by an authorized dealer.
5Service refill capacity is covered underchecking and adding manual
transmission fluidin this chapter.
6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C929-A (4.0L) or WSS-M2C930-A (4.6L) and the API
Certification mark.
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
231
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
237
A
Accessory delay ..........................45
Air cleaner filter .......................228
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..................................97, 105
and child safety seats ..............99
description ........................97, 105
disposal ....................................107
driver airbag ......................99, 106
indicator light .........................107
operation ...........................99, 106
passenger airbag ...............99, 106
side airbag ...............................105
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................208
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................150–151
Anti-theft system ........................74
Audio system (see Radio) ...19, 22
Automatic transmission ............154
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................156
fluid, adding ............................226
fluid, checking ........................226
fluid, refill capacities ..............230
fluid, specification ..................234
Auxiliary power point .................43
Axle
lubricant specifications ..232, 234
refill capacities ........................230
traction lok ..............................154
B
Battery .......................................206
acid, treating emergencies .....206
jumping a disabled battery ....176
maintenance-free ....................206replacement, specifications ...228
servicing ..................................206
BeltMinder ...................................92
Brakes ........................................150
anti-lock ...........................150–151
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................151
fluid, checking and adding ....225
fluid, refill capacities ..............230
fluid, specifications .........232, 234
lubricant specifications ..232, 234
parking ....................................151
shift interlock ..........................154
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................36
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....230
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................171
Child safety restraints ..............108
child safety belts ....................108
Child safety seats ......................112
attaching with tether straps ..116
in front seat ............................113
in rear seat ..............................113
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............190
instrument panel ....................193
interior .....................................193
plastic parts ............................192
washing ....................................189
waxing .....................................189
wheels ......................................190
wiper blades ............................192
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................24
AM/FM/CD .................................20
2006 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
241