2021 FORD MUSTANG suspension

DRIVE CONTROL - MACH 1 (IF
EQUIPPED)
Selectable Drive Modes
Selectable drive modes deliver a
customized driving experience using a
variety of electronic vehicle systems. The
systems optimize vehicle dynamics and
powertrain response based on your
selected mode. Systems associated with
selectable drive modes are:
• Electronically power assisted steering.
See
Steering (page 201).
• Electronic stability control and traction
control maintain your vehicle control
in adverse conditions or high
performance driving.
See Stability
Control (page 175).
• Electronic throttle control enhances
the powertrain response to your driving
input.
• Adaptive dampers, if your vehicle
comes with them.
• Active exhaust, if provided on your
vehicle, adjusts the sound
characteristics of your vehicle.
Using Selectable Drive Modes To change the drive mode setting, press
the mode button on the instrument panel
under the display. The first press
illuminates the selected mode, subsequent
presses change the selected mode.
Note:
Mode changes are not available when
the ignition is off or when the transmission
is in reverse (R). Some modes may be
unavailable when the transmission is in drive
(D) or sport (S).
Note: Your vehicle may have some of the
drive modes that follow.
Modes:
• Normal – Best suited for everyday
driving. If your vehicle has adaptive
dampers, the suspension delivers a
balanced combination of comfort and
handling. Selectable steering defaults
to normal but can be changed using
the steering button.
• Sport – Engages when you shift your
automatic transmission into sport (S).
Sport mode increases throttle
response and helps your vehicle
accelerate faster, but does not change
the vehicle dynamics or stability
system. The automatic transmission
holds lower gears and a higher RPM
when lifting off the accelerator. The
automatic transmission downshifts to
a higher RPM when braking
aggressively.
• Sport+ – Best suited for spirited driving.
This mode increases throttle response,
and if your vehicle has active exhaust,
it takes on a more powerful tone. If your
vehicle has adaptive dampers, the
suspension becomes stiffer, body
motion reduces and the steering
becomes more precise. Selectable
steering defaults to sport. Depending
on your vehicle configuration, you may
be able to change the selectable
steering setting by pressing the steering
206
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE294773

button. The automatic transmission
holds lower gears and a higher RPM
when lifting off the accelerator. The
automatic transmission downshifts to
a higher RPM when braking
aggressively.
• Track – Provides a performance driving
experience. Throttle response
increases, and if your vehicle has active
exhaust, it takes on a more powerful
tone. A performance oriented traction
control mode is automatically utilized.
In this mode, traction control
intervention is reduced and tuned
specifically for track usage only. This
mode is not intended for public roads.
See Using Stability Control (page
176). If your vehicle has adaptive
dampers, the suspension is optimized
for transient handling maneuvers. This
mode offers maximum control and
confidence in handling on road courses
or auto-cross style events. Selectable
steering defaults to sport. Depending
on your vehicle configuration, you could
change the selectable steering setting
by pressing the steering button. The
automatic transmission holds lower
gears and a higher RPM and downshifts
more aggressively under braking than
in sport mode. •
Drag Strip - Provides a performance
driving experience tailored to driving
on a drag strip. The engine responds
directly to your inputs, and if your
vehicle has active exhaust, it takes on
a more powerful tone. This mode is not
intended for public roads. If your
vehicle has adaptive dampers, the
setting is optimized for straight line
maximum acceleration. Selectable
steering defaults to sport. Depending
on your vehicle configuration, you could
change the selectable steering setting
by pressing the steering button. The
automatic transmission is calibrated
to shift very aggressively to provide a
performance kick when driven at
maximum throttle.
• Snow/Wet - Provides a confident
handling driving experience during poor
weather. If your vehicle has adaptive
dampers, the suspension delivers a
balanced combination of comfort and
handling. Selectable steering defaults
to normal. Depending on your vehicle
configuration, you could change the
selectable steering setting by pressing
the steering button.
Using MyMode (If Equipped) You can use MyMode to create a unique
drive mode.
207
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE294774

No Lift Shift
This feature provides you with the ability
to keep the accelerator pedal firmly
pressed down during high engine speed,
wide open throttle accelerations. During
wide open throttle gear shifts, the engine
controller prevents the engine speed from
flaring with the clutch disengaged during
a rapid upshift. This allows reduced
manual transmission upshift time, resulting
in quicker acceleration and smoother no
lift shifts.
DRIVE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Selectable Drive Modes
(If Equipped)
Selectable drive modes deliver a
customized driving experience using a
variety of electronic vehicle systems. The
systems optimize vehicle dynamics and
powertrain response based on your
selected mode. Systems associated with
selectable drive modes are:
• Electronically power assisted steering.
See
Steering (page 201).
• Electronic stability control and traction
control maintain your vehicle control
in adverse conditions or high
performance driving.
See Stability
Control (page 175).
• Electronic throttle control enhances
the powertrain response to your driving
input.
• Adaptive dampers (if equipped).
• Active exhaust adjusts the sound
characteristics of your vehicle (if
equipped).
Using Selectable Drive Modes
Note: Your vehicle may have some of the
drive modes that follow. To change the drive mode setting, press
the mode button on the instrument panel
under the display. The first press
illuminates the selected mode, subsequent
presses change the selected mode.
Note:
Mode changes are not available when
the ignition is off or when the transmission
is in reverse (R). Some modes may be
unavailable when the transmission is in drive
(D) or sport (S).
Modes:
• Normal – Best suited for everyday
driving. If your vehicle has adaptive
dampers, the suspension delivers a
balanced combination of comfort and
handling. Selectable steering defaults
to normal but can be changed using
the steering button.
• Sport – Engages when you shift your
automatic transmission into sport (S).
Sport mode increases throttle
response and helps your vehicle
accelerate faster, but does not change
the vehicle dynamics or stability
system.
• Sport+ – Best suited for spirited driving.
This mode increases throttle response,
and if your vehicle has active exhaust,
it takes on a more powerful tone. If your
vehicle has adaptive dampers, the
suspension becomes stiffer, body
209
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE294773

motion reduces and the steering
becomes more precise. Selectable
steering defaults to sport. Depending
on vehicle configuration, you may be
able to change the selectable steering
setting by pressing the steering button.
• Track – Provides a performance driving
experience. Throttle response
increases, and if your vehicle has active
exhaust, it takes on a more powerful
tone. A performance oriented traction
control mode is automatically utilized.
In this mode, traction control
intervention is reduced and tuned
specifically for track usage only. This
mode is not intended for public roads.
See Using Stability Control (page
176). If your vehicle is equipped with
adaptive dampers, the suspension is
optimized for transient handling
maneuvers. This mode offers
maximum control and confidence in
handling on road courses or auto-cross
style events. Selectable steering
defaults to sport. Depending on vehicle
configuration, you could change the
selectable steering setting by pressing
the steering button. •
Drag Strip - Provides a performance
driving experience tailored to driving
on a drag strip. The engine responds
directly to your inputs, and if your
vehicle has active exhaust, it takes on
a more powerful tone. This mode is not
intended for public roads. If your
vehicle has adaptive dampers, the
setting is optimized for straight line
maximum acceleration. Selectable
steering defaults to sport. Depending
on vehicle configuration, you could
change the selectable steering setting
by pressing the steering button.
• Snow/Wet - Provides a confident
handling driving experience during poor
weather. If your vehicle has adaptive
dampers, the suspension delivers a
balanced combination of comfort and
handling. Selectable steering defaults
to normal. Depending on vehicle
configuration, you could change the
selectable steering setting by pressing
the steering button.
Using MyMode (If Equipped) You can use MyMode to create a unique
drive mode.
210
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE294774

To create or save MyMode, press the
button on the steering wheel and access
the menu. See General Information
(page 99). The available systems display.
Select your desired settings using the
appropriate buttons and menus. Press and
hold OK to save your settings. MyMode is
added to the drive mode list and can be
selected the next time you drive your
vehicle.
Note: The system has diagnostic checks
that continuously monitor the system to
make sure it properly operates. If a mode is
unavailable due to a system fault or change
in gear position, the selected mode defaults
to normal.
Note: Pre-Collision Assist is automatically
disabled when track mode is selected.
See
Pre-Collision Assist (page 202).
Note: If your vehicle has adaptive dampers,
the steering setting is optimized to work with
each drive mode. Other steering settings
may not be available.
Selectable Steering
Note: The steering setting defaults to
normal if the battery is disconnected or
removed. Press the steering button on the
instrument panel to change the
steering feel. The first press
illuminates the selected mode. Each time
you press the button, it changes the mode.
Modes:
• Normal - 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. Note:
A soft feedback bump in the steering
wheel may be felt after you make a
selection.
Adaptive Dampers
(If Equipped) Press the button on the steering
wheel to adjust the suspension.
The first press illuminates the
current mode. Each time you press the
button, it changes the mode.
Adaptive damper modes:
• Normal — Available in normal and
sport drive modes.
• Sport — Available in normal, sport and
track drive modes.
• Track — Available only in track drive
mode.
• Drag Strip — Available only in drag strip
drive mode.
Active Exhaust
(If Equipped) Press the button on the
instrument panel under the
display to adjust the tone of the
exhaust.
Active Exhaust modes:
• Quiet - Lowers the noise of the exhaust.
• Normal - Default factory setting.
• Sport - Raises the noise of the exhaust.
• Track - Tunes the exhaust for track
performance.
Note: The track exhaust mode setting is
only for use at tracks and not for use on
public roadways. Use of this setting results
in increased exterior noise, which may not
meet state and local laws and regulations.
It is the obligation of the driver to operate
the vehicle in a manner that complies with
state and local requirements. Only use the
track exhaust mode setting at a competition
track or an off-road course where elevated
exterior vehicle noise is acceptable.
211
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE174705 E282723 E287122

TOWING A TRAILER - MACH 1
WARNING: Your vehicle is
not approved for trailer towing.
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
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: There may be electrical
items such as fuses or relays that
can affect trailer towing operation.
See
Fuses (page 245).
The load capacity of your vehicle
is designated by weight not
volume. You may not necessarily
be able to use all available space
when loading your vehicle or
trailer. Towing a trailer places extra load
on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension.
Inspect these components before,
during and after towing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects the vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items in the
center of 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 ball mount 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 the
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.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in the Load Carrying
chapter. See
Load Limit (page
213).
218
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Towing

Alternate Flatbed Method
Tow vehicle ramp.
A
Wooden ramp.
B
Use 2 in (5 cm) by 8 in (20 cm) by 8 ft
(2.5 m) wooden ramps to load the vehicle.
The diagram illustrates the maximum
ramp angle allowable to load your vehicle
on a flatbed. Vehicle damage may occur
with greater angles.
Blocks must be used to achieve
appropriate undercarriage clearances.
Transporting or Trailering - Mach
1 Handling Package
(If Equipped)
Due to low ground clearance, your vehicle
is transported from the assembly plant to
the dealer with front suspension spacers
installed. These are removed by the dealer
prior to customer delivery and are provided
with the vehicle. If you plan to transport or
trailer your vehicle and need additional
clearance, the spacers may be reinstalled
for additional underbody clearance. Note:
Suspension spacers must be
removed before driving your vehicle. Failure
to remove the spacers may cause damage
to suspension components and degrade
vehicle performance.
Note: It is only possible for you to install or
remove the suspension spacers while the
vehicle is raised in the air. 224
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing TowingE333063 E343027

Front Suspension
Insert the top of the spring spacer onto the
spring first, then snap the bottom of the
spacer into place.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies or a vehicle
transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain and transmission configuration,
under the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• Place the transmission in neutral (N).
If you cannot shift the transmission into
neutral (N), you may need to override
the gear shifter. See
Transmission
(page 164). Failing to do so may result
in damage to the transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. You must recreational tow your
vehicle with all four wheels off the ground
such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow
your vehicle.
225
Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 14-09-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Towing