Summer Tires
The Shelby GT500 is equipped with D.O.T. approved ultra high
performance summer tires with track capability. The rubber compounds
used in these tires lose flexibility and may develop surface cracks in the
tread area at temperatures below 20°F (-7°C). Always store your tires
indoors at temperatures above 20°F (-7°C). If the tires have been
subjected to 20°F (-7°C) or less, warm them in a heated space to at least
40°F (5°C) for at least 24 hours before installing them on a vehicle, or
moving the vehicle with the tires installed, or checking tire inflation. Do
not place tires near heaters or heating devices used to warm the room
where the tires are stored. Do not apply heat or blow heated air directly
on the tires. Always inspect the tires after storage periods and before
use as outlined in theOwner’s Manual. Ford does not recommend using
these high performance summer tires when temperatures drop to
approximately 40°F (5°C) or below, or in snow or ice conditions.
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 with a V speed rating and a 93 load index or higher
for all models. You may also use P255/40R19 winter tires with a V
speed rating and a 93 load index and 19 inch wheels from the
2010-2012 model year Shelby GT500. Using these wheels will provide
adequate brake and suspension clearance.
•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.
Please call the Ford Performance Info Center at 1-800-FORD-SVT
(367-3788) for specific winter tire recommendations.
Tire Rotation
Note:Your Shelby GT500 tires (P265/40-19 front, P285/35-20 rear) are
directional. Tire rotation is not recommended for directional tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear, ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problems.
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Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Be sure to read and understandPrecautionsin yourOwner’s Manual.
If the coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval, the
engine or intercooler coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the
reservoir is low or empty, add coolant to the reservoir. SeeAdding
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. For more information about engine coolant,
see theMaintenancechapter of theOwner’s Manual.
Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING:Do not add coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, coolant could make it
difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING:Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants, or additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling or heating systems. This
damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be
drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
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•DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Make
sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant may
harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty.
•In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, the cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with
Motorcraft® Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with
prediluted coolant as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine
coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or
freezing.
Note:Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other
liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Note:Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can
be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure will escape as you unscrew the
cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification. See
Capacities and Specificationsfor more information. 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 prediluted coolant to bring the coolant level to the proper level.
Coolant and Intercooler Refill Procedure
The following procedure should be used when refilling the cooling
system after it has been drained or become extremely low.
1. Remove the pressure relief cap from the coolant reservoir as
previously outlined.
2. Slowly add prediluted coolant to the coolant reservoir until the coolant
level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir.
3. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
4. Start and idle the engine until the upper radiator hose is warm (this
indicates the thermostat is open and coolant is flowing through the
entire system).
5. Shut the engine off and let it cool.
6. Remove the pressure relief cap from the coolant reservoir as
previously outlined.
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7. Add prediluted coolant to the coolant reservoir until the coolant level
is between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir.
8. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
9. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle
the next few times (with the engine cool).
10. If necessary, add prediluted coolant to the coolant reservoir until the
coolant level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir.
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 prediluted coolant to bring the coolant level to the proper
level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of coolant per month,
have your dealer check the 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.
ENGINE SPARK PLUG INTERVAL
To keep your high performance engine operating at peak performance,
the spark plug service interval is every 45000 miles (72000 kilometers).
See the Motorcraft® Part Numbers chart for the specific spark plug
application.
OCTANE RECOMMENDATIONS
Premium unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher is required. SVT recommends
using unleaded gasoline with octane
rating of 93 or higher for optimal
performance of this vehicle.
Recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance and
optimal performance of this vehicle. The use of gasoline with an octane
rating lower than 91 can lead to severe mechanical damage to your
vehicle, may degrade vehicle performance, and may affect your warranty
coverage.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of
improved reliability, durability and resale value. To maintain the proper
performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, it is
imperative that scheduled maintenance be completed at the designated
intervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple, complex,
performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using
different specifications and performance features. That is why it is
important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommended maintenance intervals for
various parts and component systems based upon engineering testing.
Ford Motor Company relies upon this testing to determine the most
appropriate mileage for replacement of oils and fluids to protect your
vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommends against
maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance
information.
Ford strongly recommends the use of only genuine Ford, Motorcraft® or
Ford-authorized remanufactured replacement parts because they are
engineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
Ford Motor Company recommended additives and chemicals are listed in
the owner manual and in the Ford Workshop Manual. Additional
chemicals or additives, not approved by Ford Motor Company, are not
recommended as part of normal maintenance. Please consult your
warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
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