•Example only:
WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
Load Carrying197
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle’s load capacity designation is by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when
driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centered between the left and right side
trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down toward your vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. You can
find more information about proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter
and in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available at an authorized
dealer.
Towing201
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather,
place the gearshift in positionP(automatic transmission) or neutral
(manual transmission) to aid engine and transmission cooling and to
help A/C performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain.
The speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing
on long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking
and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in positionPor manual
transmission in a low gear.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbeforebacking the trailer into
the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafterthe trailer is removed
from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters)
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
204Towing
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
OPENING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP
Note:Do not store articles behind rear seat. Articles stored in the
convertible top stowage compartment may break the rear glass window
when the top is opened.
Note:Opening the convertible top when the top material is wet may
cause mold or mildew.
The convertible top can be opened with the side windows down.
The windows will automatically lower when opening or closing the top.
The convertible top will not operate unless the vehicle is stationary or
traveling under 3 mph (5 km/h).
To open the convertible top:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The ignition must be on. It is
recommended that the engine is running when opening the top to
prevent draining the battery.
2. Check the convertible top stowage compartment behind the rear seat
to be sure it is empty. Make sure the convertible top outer surface is free
of debris.
Note:The latch handles must be
pulled downward fully to allow the
latch to fully rotate into the open
position.
Convertible Top (If Equipped)207
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
CLOSING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP
Note:The convertible top will not operate unless the vehicle is
stationary or traveling under 3 mph (5 kmh).
Note:Make sure that the latch handles are pulled down and in the fully
opened position before the top makes contact with the windshield
header. This allows for hand clearance and proper closure of the top.
To close the convertible top:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The ignition must be on. It is
recommended that the engine is running when opening the top to
prevent draining the battery.
2. Press and hold the convertible
top switch until the windows lower
completely and the top unfolds
and moves forward toward the
windshield header.
Make sure the latch handles are
pulled down and in the fully opened
position before the top and the
windshield header make contact.
3. Continue pressing the convertible top switch to close the top
completely. The top must be flush with the header.
4. Pull down on the drivers latch
handle and rotate it all the way
forward into the windshield header.
5. Press the latch handle up into
the stowed position to secure the
latch.
6. Pull down on the passengers side
latch handle and rotate it all the
way forward into the windshield
header.
7. Press the latch handle up into the stowed position to secure the latch.
Note:If the top has been open for an extended period of time or if the
temperature is low, the top material may shrink slightly. If this happens,
pull on the latch handles or the center grip to fasten to top.
Convertible Top (If Equipped)211
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 miles
(480 kilometers). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unique
driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers). Vary your speed frequently and change up through
the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under and how you maintain your vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that may improve your fuel
economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth, moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds without stopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
•Close the windows for high-speed driving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Rev the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
212Driving Hints
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be
limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely
damage your engine or your vehicle
may stall.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
Driving Hints213
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary repair fuel leaks
after a collision may increase the risk of fire and serious injury.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the fuel system be inspected by
an authorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severe collision, this vehicle is equipped
with a fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the flow of fuel to the
engine. Not every impact will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a collision, you may restart your
vehicle by doing the following:
1. Turn the ignition off and wait approximately 10 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to re-enable the fuel pump.
JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNING:The gases around the battery can explode if exposed
to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING:Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have push-start capability. Attempting
to push-start a vehicle with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may exhibit a combination of firm and soft shifts. This
operation is considered normal and will not affect function or durability
of the transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully
update transmission operation.
218Roadside Emergencies
2014 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)