2008 FORD MUSTANG cooling

When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “FULL COLD” level or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool,until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
245

Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOLbrand with the
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOLbrand 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, 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.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
246

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.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) 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.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). 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 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized 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.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

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
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34°F [–36°C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
248

What you should know about fail-safe cooling
(4.6L V8 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The “engine coolant temperature”
indicator will illuminate.
•TheService engine soonindicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item CapacityFord part name or
equivalentFord part number /
Ford Specification
Brake fluid and (clutch
fluid-if equipped)Between MIN and
MAX lines on
reservoirMotorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A
Door weatherstrips — Silicone LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch, hood latch,
auxiliary hood latch,
striker plates, seat
tracks and fuel filler
door hinge— Multi-Purpose GreaseXG-4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93-B
Engine coolant (4.0L
engine)12.5 quarts
(11.8L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
3
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine coolant (4.6L
engine)13.6 quarts
(12.9L)
Cooling system stop
leak pellets—Motorcraft Cooling
System Stop Leak PelletsVC-6 /
WSS-M99B37-B6
Engine oil (4.0L engine) 5.0 quarts (4.7L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-30
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
6
XO-5W30-QSP (US)
CXO-5W30-LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C929-A and API
Certification Mark
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
267

plastic parts ............................227
washing ....................................224
waxing .....................................225
wheels ......................................225
wiper blades ............................227
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................30
AM/FM/CD .................................24
Clutch
fluid ..........................................262
operation while driving ..........183
recommended shift speeds ....184
Compass, electronic ....................62
calibration .................................63
set zone adjustment .................63
Console ........................................58
Controls
power seat .................................96
Convertible ..................................66
cleaning ...................................228
installation of the boot .............67
lowering the convertible top ...66
raising the convertible top ......69
Coolant
checking and adding ..............244
refill capacities ................248, 267
specifications ..........................267
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................64
Customer Assistance ................186
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................220
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................221
Getting roadside assistance ...186
Getting the service you
need .........................................216
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................222Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............220
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................47
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................262
engine oil .................................237
Driving under special
conditions ..................................182
through water .........................185
E
Electronic message center .........70
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................210
Emission control system ..........258
Engine ........................................270
cleaning ...................................226
coolant .....................................244
fail-safe cooling .......................249
idle speed control ...................242
lubrication specifications .......267
refill capacities ........................267
service points ..................234–235
Engine block heater .................173
Engine oil ..................................237
checking and adding ..............237
dipstick ....................................237
filter, specifications ........240, 266
recommendations ...................240
refill capacities ........................267
specifications ..........................267
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................172
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
276

F
Fail safe cooling ........................249
Floor mats ...................................78
Fluid capacities .........................267
Foglamps .....................................46
Fuel ............................................250
calculating fuel
economy ............................74, 255
cap ...........................................252
capacity ...................................267
choosing the right fuel ...........253
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................258
detergent in fuel .....................255
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................250, 252, 255
filter, specifications ........250, 266
fuel pump shut-off switch .....188
improving fuel economy ........255
octane rating ...................254, 270
quality ......................................254
running out of fuel .................255
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................250
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......188
Fuses ..................................189–190
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............252
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................255
Gauges .........................................15
H
Hazard flashers .........................188
Head restraints ...........................94Headlamps ...................................46
aiming ........................................48
bulb specifications ....................50
daytime running lights .............47
flash to pass ..............................47
high beam .................................46
replacing bulbs .........................51
turning on and off ....................46
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................42
Hood ..........................................233
How to get going ........................19
I
Ignition ...............................169, 270
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................130
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................260
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................228
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................47
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......210
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................81
Keys .............................................90
positions of the ignition .........169
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
277