2010 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

WARNING: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).
WARNING: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.
ADVANCETRACSTABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac
system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac

system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible
from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order
to minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTrac
sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac
system could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac
system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this
could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially
resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If your AdvanceTrac
system activates, SLOW DOWN.
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WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTrac
system, thesliding caricon
and the “sliding
car off” icon
will illuminate steadily. If thesliding cariconand
the “sliding car off” icon
illuminate steadily, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the system serviced
immediately. Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTrac
disabled could
lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
Your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTrac
system. The
AdvanceTrac
system provides the following stability enhancement
features for certain driving situations:
•Traction Control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel
spin and loss of traction.
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
The AdvanceTrac
system automatically enables each time the engine is
started. All features of the AdvanceTrac
system (TCS and ESC) are
active and monitor the vehicle from start-up. However, the system will
only intervene if the driving situation requires it.
The AdvanceTrac
system includes
an AdvanceTrac
“OFF” control
switch on the center console, a
“sliding car” icon
and a “sliding
car off” icon
in the instrument
cluster. Both the “sliding car”
icon
and the “sliding car off”
icon
in the instrument cluster will illuminate temporarily during
start-up as part of a normal system self-check. The “sliding car” icon
may illuminate (flash) during certain driving situations which cause the
AdvanceTrac
system to operate. If the “sliding car” icon
and the
“sliding car off” icon
illuminate steadily, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the system serviced immediately. If
equipped with a message center, the vehicle will also indicate a failure
with the AdvanceTrac
system.
When AdvanceTrac
performs a normal system self-check, some drivers
may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a rumble, grunting, or
grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
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When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTrac
you may experience
the following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The “sliding car”
indicator light will flash.
•A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction Control (TCS)
Traction Control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem, Engine Traction Control and Brake Traction
Control. Engine Traction Control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake Traction Control works to
limit wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction Control is most active at low speeds.
During Traction Control events the “sliding car” icon
in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the Traction Control system is activated excessively in a short period
of time, the braking portion of the system may become temporarily
disabled to allow the brakes to cool down. In this situation, Traction
Control will use only engine power reduction or transfer to help control
the wheels from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the
system will regain all features. Anti-lock braking, and ESC are not
affected by this condition and will continue to function during the
cool-down period.
The Engine Traction Control and Brake Traction Control system may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theSwitching Off AdvanceTrac

section below.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control™ system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During Electronic Stability Control events the “sliding car” icon
in the
instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Electronic Stability
Control system, which include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
Switching Off AdvanceTrac

If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTrac
system may be
beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
The AdvanceTrac
“Off” control
switch can be used to enable unique
AdvanceTrac
modes.
Full features of the AdvanceTrac

system can be restored by pressing
the AdvanceTrac
Offcontrol
switch again or by turning off and
restarting the engine.
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When features of the AdvanceTrac

system are off, the “sliding car off”
icon
will illuminate steadily.
Pressing the AdvanceTrac
Off
control switch again will turn off the
“sliding car off” icon.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Engine and Brake Traction Control features
will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.
AdvanceTrac
Features
Control
switch
functionsMode“Sliding
car off”
icon
Message
Center Dis-
play (if
equipped)ESCTrac-
tion
Con-
trol
Default at
start-upturns on
during
bulb
checkEn-
abledEn-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
once mo-
mentarilyTraction
Control OFFOnTRACTION
CONTROL
OFFEn-
abledDis-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
twice rap-
idly, brakes
applied and
no throttle
applySport Mode
(if
equipped)OnADVANCE
TRAC
SPORT
MODEEn-
abledEn-
abled
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AdvanceTrac
Features
Control
switch
functionsMode“Sliding
car off”
icon
Message
Center Dis-
play (if
equipped)ESCTrac-
tion
Con-
trol
Control
switch
pressed and
held for
more than
five seconds,
vehicle
speed =
0 mph,
brakes ap-
pliedAdvance-
Tr a c
Dis-
abledOnADVANCE
TRAC OFFDis-
abledDis-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
again after
deactivationAdvance-
Tr a c
fully
enabledOffADVANCE
TRAC ONEn-
abledEn-
abled
AdvanceTrac
Sport Mode
The AdvanceTrac
system provides an available Sport Mode on some
models. This can be selected utilizing the AdvanceTrac off control switch
as shown in the table above.
Sport mode is not intended for use on public roadways as this mode
provides less AdvanceTrac
system intervention than when the default
ESC and Traction Control systems are on. Sport mode will allow more
spirited driving while the AdvanceTrac
system is still enabled.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
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•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for a low power steering fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by a low power
steering fluid level. Check for a low power steering fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering fluid reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
TRACTION-LOK™ AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok™ axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok™ rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
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If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Using a flat head screwdriver,
remove the cap.
3. Press and hold the lever down
while pulling the gearshift lever out
of the P (Park) position and into
the N (Neutral) position.
4. Reinstall the cap.
5. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible to
have the system serviced immediately.
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