2012 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

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 toWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is 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.
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.
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.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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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.
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
Your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTracsystem. The
AdvanceTracsystem provides the following stability enhancement
features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control system (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
P!
BRAKE
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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 AdvanceTracsystem. 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 AdvanceTracsensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTracsystem 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 AdvanceTracsystem 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 AdvanceTracsystem activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTracsystem, the stability control light and the stability
control off light will illuminate steadily. If the stability control light and
the stability control off light illuminate steadily, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the system serviced
immediately. Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTracdisabled could
lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
The AdvanceTracsystem automatically enables each time the engine is
started. All features of the AdvanceTracsystem (TCS and ESC) are
active and monitor the vehicle from start-up. However, the system will
only intervene if the driving situation requires it.
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The AdvanceTracsystem includes
a stability control button located on
the center console, a stability
control light and a stability control
off light in the instrument cluster.
Both the stability control light and the stability control off light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate temporarily during start-up as part of a
normal system self-check. The stability control light may illuminate
(flash) during certain driving situations which cause the AdvanceTrac
system to operate. If the stability control light and the stability control
off light 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
AdvanceTracsystem.
When AdvanceTracperforms 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.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTracyou may experience
the following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control 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 system (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 TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
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If the TCS 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, the TCS 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 TCS off. This may allow excess wheel spin to
“dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful “rocking” maneuver.
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 ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC 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 AdvanceTracsystem may be
beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
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The stability control button can be
used to enable unique
AdvanceTracmodes.
Full features of the AdvanceTrac
system can be restored by pressing the stability control button again or
by turning off and restarting the engine.
When features of the AdvanceTrac
system are off, the stability control
off light will illuminate steadily.
Pressing the stability control button
again will turn off the stability
control off light.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine traction control and brake traction
control features will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.
AdvanceTracFeatures
Button
functionsMode
icon
statusESC TCS
Default at
start-up—On during
bulb
checkEnabled Enabled
Button pressed
momentarilyTraction
control offOn Enabled Disabled
Button pressed
twice; brakes
appliedSport mode (if
equipped)On Enabled Enabled
Button pressed
and held more
than 5 seconds;
brakes applied;
no throttleAdvanceTrac
DisabledOn Disabled Disabled
Button pressed
again after
deactivationAdvanceTrac
fully enabledOff Enabled Enabled
OFF
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AdvanceTracSport Mode (if equipped)
The AdvanceTracsystem provides an available sport mode on some
models. This can be selected utilizing the stability off button as shown in
the table above.
Sport mode is not intended for use on public roadways as this mode
provides less AdvanceTracsystem intervention than when the default
ESC and traction control systems are on. Sport mode will allow more
spirited driving while the AdvanceTracsystem is still enabled.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)
system. There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Under extreme usage conditions, the steering effort may
increase. This occurs to prevent overheating and permanent damage to
your steering system. If this should occur, you will neither lose the ability
to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the system to cool and
steering assist will return to normal.
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.
Selectable steering
You can select the desired steering feel through the message center. The
settings are:
•Standard: Default factory setting.
•Sport: Slightly higher effort required for steering with more road force
felt through the steering wheel.
•Comfort: Slightly less effort required for steering with less road force
felt through the steering wheel.
After selecting the desired setting, you may feel a soft feedback bump in
the steering wheel when the changeover occurs.
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Note:If the battery is disconnected or removed, the steering setting will
default to standard.
Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
AXLE INFORMATION
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.
Axle with Torsen™ differential (if equipped)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
axle equipped with a Torsen™ differential functions like a standard rear
axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
rear axle equipped with a Torsen™ differential 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 pressed.
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