Operating at High Speeds and on
Track Days
Your vehicle is capable of sustained high
speeds and track day driving. Follow the
guidelines for breaking in the tires and
powertrain before operating your vehicle
at high speeds or on a track. See
Breaking-In (page 131).
Note: Obey all traffic laws and only operate
your vehicle at locations designed to do so
safely.
Note: For a detailed description of what
your vehicle's New Limited Warranty covers,
see the Ford GT Warranty Guide provided
to you along with your owner's manual.
Before operating your vehicle at high
speeds, follow these guidelines:
Overall Vehicle Preparation:
• Inspect wheels and tires for wear and
damage. Replace any damaged wheels
or tires.
• Torque the wheel lug nuts to the proper
specification:
150 lb.ft (204 Nm).
• Inspect all aerodynamic grilles and
cooling system components for
damage. Make sure there is no debris
or non-factory installed protective
films or equipment that could obstruct
airflow.
• Verify your tires have the correct tire
pressure. See the section that follows
for tire pressure specifications.
• Do not operate your vehicle at high
speeds while carrying cargo. Brake System Preparation:
•
Your vehicle has carbon ceramic brake
rotors that require extra care and
inspection methods including
measuring their weight and reviewing
the surface condition.
• Inspect the brake system for wear or
damage. Replace worn or below
specification brake pads, rotors or
cooling hoses. Make sure that the cross
drilling holes in the rotors are open and
free of debris.
• Prior to track use, replace the brake
fluid with fresh Motorcraft/Ford DOT
4 LV High Performance Brake Fluid or
other DOT compliant fluid with a dry
boiling point greater than
500°F
(260°C) from a sealed container. Do
not use silicone or DOT 5 brake fluids.
Powertrain Preparation:
• Make sure the engine oil, coolant,
transmission fluids and hydraulic
system fluid have received proper
maintenance, are clean and are at the
appropriate capacity.
• Allow the powertrain to warm up and
reach normal operating temperature.
Your vehicle has electronic controls to
reduce power or limit engine RPM to
reduce powertrain temperatures if
required.
• Regularly check the engine oil level
during the event. Maintain the engine
oil level at or near the max mark on the
engine oil dipstick.
See Engine Oil
Check (page 157).
Note: To obtain service, please contact the
Ford GT Concierge and they will advise you
of the nearest Certified Ford GT Service
Dealership.
See About This Manual (page
5).
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Alloy and carbon fiber wheels are coated
with a paint finish. To maintain their
condition we recommend that you:
•
Clean the wheels weekly using
Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner or
a gentle soap solution. Apply to the
wheel only using manufacturer's
instructions.
• Use a soft sponge to remove deposits
of dirt and brake dust accumulation.
• Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream
of water when you have completed the
cleaning process.
• To remove tar and grease, use
Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
VEHICLE STORAGE
At Ford, we fully understand that many
Ford Performance vehicles will see only
occasional operation and that many of the
vehicles, especially in northern climates,
may be stored for an extended period
during the winter months. If you plan on
storing your vehicle for 30 days or more,
read the following maintenance
recommendations to make sure your
vehicle stays in good operating condition.
We engineer and test all motor vehicles
and their components for reliable, regular
driving. Under various conditions,
long-term storage may lead to degraded
engine performance or failure unless you
use specific precautions to preserve engine
components.
General
Note: Do not park your vehicle in facilities
that use parking platforms or elevators that
lift your vehicle. The vehicle Warranty may
not cover damage caused to your vehicle as
a result of using this type of equipment. •
Store all vehicles inside a garage or
building in a dry, ventilated place.
• Protect from sunlight, if possible. Use
a soft, breathable vehicle cover.
Body
• Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
Wing
Note: When storing your vehicle longer than
72 hours without engine operation, place
the wing in the deployed position.
• Turn your ignition to on.
• Activate track mode.
• After you enable track mode, return to
normal mode. See Drive Mode
Control (page 119).
• Turn your ignition to off.
Engine
• Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast
idle with the climate controls set to
defrost until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
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6.
Visually inspect the tires to
make sure there are no nails or
other objects embedded that
could poke a hole in the tire
and cause an air leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts
or bulges.
Inspecting Your Tires and
Wheel Valve Stems
Periodically inspect the tire treads
for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects such as stones,
nails or glass that may be wedged
in the tread grooves. Check the tire
and valve stems for holes, cracks,
or cuts that may permit air
leakage and repair or replace the
tire and replace the valve stem.
Inspect the tire sidewalls for
cracking, cuts, bruises and other
signs of damage or excessive
wear. If internal damage to the tire
is suspected, have the tire
demounted and inspected in case
it needs to be repaired or replaced.
For your safety, tires that are
damaged or show signs of
excessive wear should not be used
because they are more likely to
blow out or fail.
Improper or inadequate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to
wear abnormally. Inspect all your
tires, including the spare,
frequently, and replace them if
one or more of the following
conditions exist: Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down to
one sixteenth of an inch (2 mm),
tires must be replaced to help
prevent your vehicle from skidding
and hydroplaning. Built-in
treadwear indicators, or wear bars,
which look like narrow strips of
smooth rubber across the tread
will appear on the tire when the
tread is worn down to one
sixteenth of an inch (2 mm).
When the tire tread wears down
to the same height as these wear
bars, the tire is worn out and must
be replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage (such
as bulges in the tread or sidewalls,
cracks in the tread groove and
separation in the tread or
sidewall). If damage is observed
or suspected have the tire
inspected by a tire professional.
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WARNING: If the tire pressure
monitor sensor becomes damaged it
may not function. Each tire should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated
to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle ’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale. Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale flashes for
approximately one minute and then
remains illuminated. This sequence
continues upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able
to detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and with Licence exempt RSS
Standards of Industry Canada. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
•
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
• This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation. WARNING:
Changes or
modifications not expressively approved
by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment. The term "IC:" before the
radio certification number only signifies
that Industry Canada technical
specifications were met.
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GENERAL MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance
schedule helps protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance and may help to
increase the value of your vehicle when
you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for
completed maintenance with your vehicle
and record the maintenance in the pages
that follow in this section.
We have established regular maintenance
intervals for your vehicle based upon
rigorous testing. It is important that you
have your vehicle serviced at the proper
times. Remember that time is just as
important as miles driven. These intervals
are based on both time and distance
driven. Since cars like the Ford GT do not
get driven daily in most cases, your
maintenance intervals may be more based
on time than distance driven.
It is your responsibility to have all
scheduled maintenance performed and to
make sure that the materials used meet
the specifications identified in this owner's
manual. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 205).
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
invalidates warranty coverage on parts
affected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your
Certified Ford GT Service
Dealership?
Factory-Trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive
factory-sponsored certification training to
help them become experts on the
operation of your Ford GT. Genuine Ford and Motorcraft™
Replacement Parts
Certified Ford GT Service Dealerships stock
the Ford and Motorcraft parts needed to
maintain your Ford GT. These parts meet
or exceed our specifications. Parts installed
at your dealership carry a nationwide
24-month or unlimited mile (kilometer)
parts and labor limited warranty.
If you do not use Ford authorized parts they
may not meet our specifications and
depending on the part, it could affect
emissions compliance.
Convenience
The Ford GT Concierge will be happy to
assist you in scheduling your maintenance
visits and will work with your Certified Ford
GT Service Dealership to make these
arrangements.
Road Course Maintenance
If your Ford GT is subjected to dedicated
road course use, we recommend additional
maintenance. See
Special Operating
Conditions Scheduled Maintenance
(page
281).
Protecting Your Investment
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the Ford
Workshop Manual list the recommended
additives and chemicals for your vehicle.
We do not recommend using chemicals or
additives not approved by us as part of
your vehicle ’s normal maintenance. Please
consult your warranty information.
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Oils and Fluids
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, a qualified expert, such
as the factory-trained technicians at your
dealership, should inspect discolored fluids
that also show signs of overheating or
foreign material contamination
immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle
’s oils and
fluids at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Normal Maintenance Intervals Annually or Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km)
Change the oil and filter.
Inspect the tires and check the tire pressures.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses, brake cooling duct hoses and check the parking
brake function. Check the brake fluid level.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses. Check the coolant level.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the accessory drive belts.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension and the tie-rod ends.
Inspect the wiper blades. Check the washer fluid level.
Inspect the hinges and latches. Lubricate if needed.
Inspect the vehicle battery and the state of charge.
Check the hydraulic fluid level.
Check the operation of all the lights.
Check the operation of warning indicators inside the instrument cluster.
Check for any fluid leaks.
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Other Maintenance Items
2
Change the brake fluid. 1
Every 3 Years
Replace the cabin air filter.
Every 2 Years or 10,000 mi (16,000 km)
Replace the engine air filters.
Every 3 Years or
10,000 mi (16,000 km)
Change the transmission gear fluid.
Every 6 Years or
30,000 mi (48,000 km) Change the transmission wet clutch oil.
Replace the spark plugs.
Every
45,000 mi (72,000 km)
Change the hydraulic fluid and filter.
Every 10 Years or
60,000 mi (100,000 km)
Replace the front and the rear
accessory drive belts.
100,000 mi (160,000 km)
Change the engine coolant.3
200,000 mi (320,000 km)
Replace the Hydraulic Accumulator
Bottle.
Every 24 Years
1 Perform this maintenance item every three years. Do not exceed the designated time
for the interval.
2 Do not exceed the designated distance or mileage for the interval.
3 Initial replacement at 10 years or
200,000 mi (320,000 km), then every 5 years or
100,000 mi (160,000 km).
SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or
locations with similar climates using an
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification
mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal
oil change interval is 2,500 mi (4,000 km). Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air
Filter Replacement
The life of the engine air filter and cabin air
filter is dependent on exposure to dusty
and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in
these conditions require frequent
inspection and replacement of the engine
air filter and cabin air filter.
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Operating at High Speeds and
Track Days
Your vehicle is capable of sustained high
speeds and track day driving. Your GT has
electronic controls to reduce power and
limit the RPM to reduce powertrain
temperatures if operating temperatures
are exceeded.
Before Operating Your Vehicle at High
Speeds:
•
Verify your tires have the correct
pressures See Technical
Specifications (page 204).
• Inspect wheels and tires for wear and
damage. Replace any damaged wheels
and tires.
• Check and set lug nut torque. See
Technical Specifications (page 204).
• Verify fluid levels for oil, coolant, brake,
and hydraulic fluid. See Maintenance
(page
154).
• Change the oil and filter prior to use on
the track.
After Operating Your vehicle at High
Speeds and Track Day Driving, Do the
Following:
• Set tire pressures to specification.
• Check and set lug nut torque. See
Technical Specifications (page 204).
• Check all fluid levels.
• If you drive your car for an extended
period of time at high speed or on the
track for an extended time, change the
oil and filter.
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