
When the vehicle is locked and armed, the active anti-theft system
monitors the following:
•Doors
•Hood
•Trunk
•Movement inside the vehicle
•Change in vehicle inclination
Note:The active anti-theft system includes a motion detection system
which monitors the passenger cabin and a vehicle incline sensor which
detects changes in vehicle attitude.
The interior motion detection and vehicle incline sensing systems
will operate only when the vehicle is locked using the remote
keyless entry transmitter or when using the power door lock
control with the accompanying door open and all doors then
become closed. For convertible vehicles, the convertible top must
be in the fully closed and latched position for the interior motion
sensing system to arm. If you lock the vehicle using the key in the
driver door key cylinder, the system will monitor the doors,
trunk, and hood but the motion sensing and vehicle incline
sensing will not arm.
Do not arm the interior motion detection system if movement within the
vehicle is likely to occur. Additionally, do not arm the vehicle incline
sensing system when the vehicle is in transport.
For proper operation of the interior motion detection system, ensure all
windows are closed prior to arming the system. This will help prevent
accidental alarm activation due to external influences and ensure proper
interior motion detection. Additionally, the interior motion sensing
system will not arm if either door or the trunk is ajar.
If there is any potential active anti-theft problem with your vehicle,
ensureALL remote entry transmittersare taken to an authorized
dealer to aid in troubleshooting.
Arming the system
When armed, the active anti-theft system is designed to notify you of an
unauthorized entry. When unauthorized entry or towing occurs, the
system will flash the turn signal lamps and interior lamps and sounds the
security horn.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
92

The system is ready to arm whenever the key is out of the ignition. Any
of the following actions will arm the alarm system:
•Press the remote transmitter lock control one time to arm the system.
•Lock all doors using the interior power lock switch while the driver or
passenger door is open and then becomes closed.
•Lock the driver door with the key in the key lock cylinder (this will
nothowever arm the interior motion or vehicle incline sensing
systems or lock the passenger door).
If all the closures (doors, trunk, hood) are closed, the turn signal lamps
will flash once. If any closure is not properly closed the parklamps will
not flash.Note:Locking the driver door with the key does not lock the
passenger door. Use the power door lock control or manually lock the
passenger door to ensure the vehicle is properly secured.
The system will wait 20 seconds after locking before triggering an alarm.
After the 20–second pre-arm phase, the power door unlock control is
disabled (for more information, refer toPower door trim switch inhibit
section earlier in this chapter) to further protect your vehicle.
Disarming the system
You can disarm the active anti-theft system by any of the following
actions:
•Unlock the doors by using the remote entry transmitter.
•Unlock the driver’s door with the key in the door lock cylinder.
•Turn the ignition to the 3 (ON) position with a programmed coded
ignition key.
Note:Unlocking the trunk inhibits the motion and tilt sensing systems,
but the system continues to monitor the doors and hood. Once the trunk
becomes closed the motion and tilt sensing systems will re-arm.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
93

Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin because of
advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord injury,
medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions, must
exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may cause
burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat,
such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat heater
to overheat.
The heated seat control is located in the lower center of the instrument
panel.
To operate the heated seats:
•Push control to activate.
•Push again to deactivate.
Rear seat entry/exit
Use the seatback release to fold the
back of the front seat forward for
rear seat access. This release handle
is located on the upper back of the
front seat. The seatback locks
automatically when returned to the
normal position.
Use the recliner handle to return
the seatback to the desired position.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
99

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back
seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.
Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been
closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check
seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.
Combination lap and shoulder belts
The presenter arm (available on the coupe only) is intended to improve
access to the safety belt and to allow access to the rear seat.
Rotate the presenter arm toward the
front of the vehicle until it locks
into place. This allows easier access
to the front safety belt for the front
seat occupant.
To access the second row seats,
rotate the arm back to its original
position against the trim panel.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
105

After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at all outboard
seating positions (except driver, which has no “automatic locking
retractor” feature) must be checked by an authorized dealer to verify
that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is still
functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked for
proper function.
BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the safety belt assembly “automatic locking retractor” feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked
by an authorized dealer.
Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could
increase the risk of injury in collisions.
The front and rear safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap
and shoulder belts. The front passenger and rear seat safety belts have
two types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward
movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
This mode should be usedany timea child safety seat is installed
(except a booster) in a passenger front or outboard rear seating position.
Children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the
rear seat whenever possible. Refer toSafety restraints for childrenor
Safety seats for childrenlater in this chapter.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
107

How to use the automatic locking mode
•Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
•Grasp the shoulder portion and
pull downward until the entire
belt is pulled out.
•Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking
mode.
How to disengage the automatic locking mode
Ford Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies
and attaching hardware should be inspected by an authorized
dealer after any collision. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
108

After any vehicle collision, the front passenger and rear outboard
safety belt systems must be checked by an authorized dealer to
verify that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is
still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked
for proper function.
BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the safety belt assembly “automatic locking retractor” feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked
by an authorized dealer.
Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could
increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Safety belt pretensioner
Your vehicle is equipped with safety belt pretensioners at the driver and
front outboard passenger seating positions.
The safety belt pretensioner tightens the safety belts firmly against the
occupant’s body at the start of the crash.
The driver and front passenger safety belt system (including
retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be replaced if the
vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of front
airbags and safety belt pretensioners.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is a 8 inch
(20 cm) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number
611C22). This assembly can be obtained from an authorized dealer.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended.
Do not use extensions to change the fit of the shoulder belt
across the torso.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
109

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN
Child and infant or child safety seats
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the
child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the
safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the
safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or
collision.
When installing a child safety seat:
•Review and follow the information
presented in theAirbag
supplemental restraint system
(SRS) section in this chapter.
•Use the correct safety belt buckle
for that seating position (the
buckle closest to the direction the
tongue is coming from).
•Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the
buckle.
•Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety
seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button,
to prevent accidental unbuckling.
•Place seat back in upright position.
•Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer toAutomatic
locking mode(passenger side front and outboard rear seating
positions) (if equipped) section in this chapter.
•LATCH lower anchors are recommended for use by children up to
48 lb. (22 kg) in a child restraint. Top tether anchors can be used for
children up to 60 lb. (27 kg) in a child restraint, and to provide upper
torso restraint for children up to 80 lb. (36 kg) using an upper torso
harness and a belt-positioning booster.
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether
strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position with LATCH and
tether anchors. For more information on top tether straps and anchors,
refer toAttaching safety seats with tether strapsin this chapter. For
more information of LATCH anchors refer toAttaching safety seats with
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachmentsin this
chapter.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
130