2008 FORD MUSTANG maintenance schedule

•Inspect your tires for damage on a regular basis. If a tire is damaged,
replace it immediately.
•Proper suspension alignment is critical for maximum performance and
optimal tire wear. If you notice uneven tire wear, have your alignment
checked.
•Rotate tires as recommended in the following sectionTire rotation.
•When replacing tires, the only way to assure original performance is to
use the original equipment tire. If a different tire is used, it should be
the same size, speed rating and load rating and be replaced as a set of
four. Never mix tire brands.
Winter driving
The original equipment tires on your SVT vehicle are designed for
maximum performance in dry and wet summer conditions. They are not
designed for winter use on ice or snow and cannot be used with snow
chains. If you will be operating your vehicle in these conditions, winter
or all-season tires must be used.
•Use winter tires on all four wheels and use P255/45R18 tires with a
“V” speed rating and a 93 load index or higher.
•Winter tires must be of the proper speed and load ratings.
•Be aware that winter or all-season tires will not perform as well as the
original equipment tire in dry and wet conditions. Expect handling,
steering and braking to be degraded.
•Do not use a winter tire with less than a “V” speed rating, and even
with clear, dry driving conditions do not operate your vehicle above
posted speed limits while using winter tires. Never perform high speed
driving with winter tires.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle is equipped with unique larger tires on the rear
wheels, you can only rotate the tires side to side. You must not rotate
tires in a crisscross pattern or front to rear. If you notice that the tires
wear unevenly, have them checked.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled maintenance guidewill help your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance and longer tire life. Unless otherwise
specified, rotate the tires approximately every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Chassis
14

ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATION
Use Motorcraft SAE 5W-50 full synthetic or an equivalent SAE 5W-50 full
synthetic oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C931-B.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
ENGINE AND INTERCOOLER COOLANT
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration testing
is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the Rotunda
Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 0014–R1060). The level of coolant should
be maintained at the “cold fill range” level in the coolant reservoir. If the
level falls below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding Engine
Coolantsection.
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 -36°C (-34°F).
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
30

When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill range” as listed on the
engine coolant reservoir.
•Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein yourOwner’s Guide.
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.
COLD FILL
RANGE
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
31

10. If necessary, add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and distilled
water to the engine coolant reservoir until the coolant level is at the
“cold fill range” as listed on the reservoir.
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 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.
OCTANE RECOMMENDATIONS
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Premium” unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
The use of gasolines with lower
octane ratings may degrade performance. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as “Premium” in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
If your engine knocks under most driving conditions while you are using
fuel with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft part numbersin this chapter.
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or personal burn
injuries do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
34

WARRANTY COVERAGE
The Shelby GT500 carries the same New Vehicle Limited Warranty as
other Ford Mustang models. This information is covered in its entirety in
the Ford Motor Company Warranty Guide.
Warranty service for the Shelby GT500 or any SVT vehicle can be
obtained at any Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer nationwide.
SVT does not recommend modifying or racing SVT vehicles, as they are
designed and built to be driven as delivered from the factory. The Ford
Motor Company Warranty Guide discusses vehicle usage and the
installation of aftermarket parts and their effect on warranty coverage as
follows:
Repairs are not reimbursable under warranty when damage is caused by:
•misusing the vehicle, such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing,
or using the vehicle as a stationary power source.
•altering or modifying the vehicle — including the body, chassis, or
components — after the vehicle leaves Ford’s control.
•non-Ford parts installed after the vehicle leaves Ford’s control,
including, but not limited to, cellular phones, alarm systems and
automatic starting systems.
Please see the Warranty Guide for complete information.
In the event the vehicle is intended for track use, and the loss of
warranty coverage is not of concern, the following powertrain durability
modifications are recommended:
•install transmission oil cooler. Permanent damage to the transmission
will result if the vehicle is subjected to competition conditions without
installation of a transmission oil cooler.
•install rear differential cooler. Permanent damage to the rear
differential will result if the vehicle is subjected to competition
conditions without installation of a differential cooler.
Additionally, perform Multi-Point Inspection and the inspections outlined
in the 120,000 mile Normal Maintenance Schedule outlined in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide. Refer to the Vehicle Service Manual for
removal and installation procedures. Replace with Genuine Ford and
Motorcraft service parts as needed.
These modifications will not necessarily protect your engine from
damage in competition conditions. Subjecting your vehicle to competition
conditions even with these proposed modifications will render repairs
non-reimbursable under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
2008 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement
USA(fus)
A word about warranty coverage
40