2008 FORD MUSTANG brake light

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Do not splice into the vehicle lamp wiring for trailer lamps. Your
vehicle uses an advanced electronic module to control and
monitor your vehicle lamps. Splicing into the wiring or attaching
wiring to the vehicle bulb. may DISABLE the rear vehicle lamps
or cause them not to function properly.
See your authorized dealer for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•Shift out of D (Overdrive) into D (Overdrive cancelled) or a lower
gear (3, 2, or 1) when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
167

BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
by keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor
and brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; any
pulsation or mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
P!
BRAKE
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
175

Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TRACTION CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control™ system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system operates by detecting and controlling
wheel spin. The system borrows many of the electronic and mechanical
elements already present in the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Control™ portion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions.
P!
BRAKE
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
176

Understanding the gearshift positions of the 5–speed automatic
transmission
This vehicle is equipped with an Adaptive Transmission Control Strategy.
This Adaptive Transmission Control Strategy offers the optimal
transmission operation and shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has
been disconnected for any type of service or repair, the transmission will
need to relearn the normal shift strategy parameters, much like having to
reset your radio stations when your vehicle battery has been
disconnected. The Adaptive Transmission Control Strategy allows the
transmission to relearn these operating parameters. This learning process
could take several transmission upshifts and downshifts; during this
learning process, slightly firmer shifts may occur. After this learning
process, normal shift feel and shift scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
180

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
185

A
Accessory delay ..........................61
Air cleaner filter ...............264–266
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................115, 123
and child safety seats ............117
description ......................115, 123
disposal ....................................126
driver airbag ....................117, 124
indicator light .........................126
operation .........................117, 124
passenger airbag .............117, 124
side airbag ...............................123
Ambient mood/lighting ...............50
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................244
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................175
Anti-theft system ..................88, 91
arming the system ....................92
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................19, 23, 27
Automatic transmission ............179
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................180
fluid, adding ............................262
fluid, checking ........................262
fluid, refill capacities ..............267
fluid, specification ..................267
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....35
Auxiliary power point .................58
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........267
refill capacities ........................267
traction lok ..............................178B
Battery .......................................242
acid, treating emergencies .....242
jumping a disabled battery ....210
maintenance-free ....................242
replacement, specifications ...266
servicing ..................................242
Belt-Minder.............................111
Booster seats .............................127
Brakes ........................................175
anti-lock ...................................175
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................175
fluid, checking and adding ....262
fluid, refill capacities ..............267
fluid, specifications .................267
lubricant specifications ..........267
parking ....................................176
shift interlock ..........................179
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................50
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....267
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............126
child safety belts ....................126
Child safety seats ......................130
attaching with tether straps ..134
in front seat ............................131
in rear seat ..............................131
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................127
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............226
instrument panel ....................228
interior .....................................229
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
275

L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................50
daytime running light ...............47
fog lamps ...................................46
headlamps .................................46
headlamps, flash to pass ..........47
instrument panel, dimming .....47
interior lamps .....................49, 51
replacing bulbs .........................51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................49
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........175
Limited slip axle
(see Traction Loc) ....................178
Load limits .................................160
Locks ............................................79
autolock .....................................81
doors ..........................................79
Lubricant specifications ...........267
Lug nuts ....................................209
Lumbar support, seats ...............96
M
Manual transmission .................183
fluid capacities ........................267
lubricant specifications ..........267
reverse .....................................184
Message center ...........................70
display color ..............................72
english/metric button .........72–73
MyColor display ........................72
system check button ................71
warning messages .....................76Mirrors ...................................62, 64
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......64
Motorcraft parts ........231, 250, 266
N
Navigation system .......................41
O
Octane rating ............................254
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................237
P
Parking brake ............................176
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....266
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................102
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................191
Power door locks ........................81
Power mirrors .............................64
Power point .................................58
Power steering ..........................178
fluid, checking and adding ....261
fluid, refill capacity ................267
fluid, specifications .................267
Power Windows ...........................59
R
Radio ................................19, 23, 27
Relays ........................................189
Remote entry system ...........83–84
illuminated entry ......................87
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
278

Transmission
automatic operation ...............179
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....179
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................262
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................263
fluid, refill capacities ..............267
lubricant specifications ..........267
manual operation ....................183
Trunk ...........................................82
remote release ..........................85
Turn signal ..................................49
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................271
Vehicle loading ..........................160Ventilating your vehicle
...........173
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................236
Water, Driving through
.............185
Windows
power
.........................................59
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid
.....236
operation
...................................57
replacing wiper blades
...........237
Wrecker towing
.........................215
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
280