2023 FORD MUSTANG Owners Manual

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle lawsfor towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included withtowing accessories for the properinstallation and adjustmentspecifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency givesyou.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle'sload in the Load Carrying chapter. SeeLoad Limit (page 214).
Remember to account for the trailertongue weight as part of your vehicle loadwhen calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to thehook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross themunder the trailer tongue and allow enoughslack for turning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: Do not connect atrailer's hydraulic brake system directlyto your vehicle's brake system. Yourvehicle may not have enough brakingpower and your chances of having acollision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING: Never connect anytrailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's taillamp wiring; this may damage theelectrical system resulting in fire. Contactyour authorized dealer as soon aspossible for assistance in proper trailertow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, direction indicators and hazard lightsare working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
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When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thetransmission in park (P) or neutral (N)to aid engine and transmission coolingand to help air conditioningperformance.
•Switch off the speed control withheavy loads or in hilly terrain. Thespeed control may turn offautomatically when you are towing onlong, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a slope. However, ifyou must park on a slope:
1.Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2.Set your vehicle parking brake.
3.Place the automatic transmission inpark (P) or manual transmission in alow gear.
4.Place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels. Chocks are notincluded with your vehicle.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 in (15 cm) above the bottomedge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, andreliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,replace the rear axle lubricant. Water maycontaminate the rear axle lubricant, whichis not a normal maintenance inspectionitem unless there is a possibility of a leakor other axle repair is required.
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TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE
- MACH 1
If you need to have your vehicle towed,contact your roadside assistance centeror a professional towing service.
We recommend that your vehicle be towedwith flatbed equipment only. When towingwith a flatbed, race ramps or wood rampsmust be used when loading or unloadingyour vehicle. Wheel baskets are requiredwhen flatbed towing.
Your vehicle could come with a frontrecovery hook to assist in vehicle recoverysituations.
Perform the following when towing yourvehicle:
•Enable manual park override. SeeAutomatic Transmission (page 164).
Note:Do not use the Stay in Neutral Modefor towing.
Note:Do not tow with a slingbelt or wheellift equipment.
Note:If the vehicle is towed incorrectly orby any other means, vehicle damage mayoccur.
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Two mini J hooks should be used when thevehicle is towed. The hooks should beattached to the oblong holes in rails asshown to winch the vehicle onto theflatbed. Use tire slings only to tie thevehicle down to the flatbed. Othermethods may damage the vehicle.
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Preferred Flatbed Method
Seven degrees maximum.A
Tow vehicle ramp.B
Race ramps.C
30 inches (76 centimeters) minimum.D
70 inches (178 centimeters) minimum.E
Use race ramps to load the vehicle.
The diagram illustrates the maximumramp angle allowable to load your vehicleon a flatbed. Vehicle damage may occurwith greater angles.
Ramps must be used to achieveappropriate undercarriage clearances.
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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 maximumramp angle allowable to load your vehicleon a flatbed. Vehicle damage may occurwith greater angles.
Blocks must be used to achieveappropriate undercarriage clearances.
Transporting or Trailering - Mach1 Handling Package (If Equipped)
Due to low ground clearance, your vehicleis transported from the assembly plant tothe dealer with front suspension spacersinstalled. These are removed by the dealerprior to customer delivery and are providedwith the vehicle. If you plan to transport ortrailer your vehicle and need additionalclearance, the spacers may be reinstalledfor additional underbody clearance.
Note:Suspension spacers must beremoved before driving your vehicle. Failureto remove the spacers may cause damageto suspension components and degradevehicle performance.
Note:It is only possible for you to install orremove the suspension spacers while thevehicle is raised in the air.
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Front Suspension
Insert the top of the spring spacer onto thespring first, then snap the bottom of thespacer into place.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has asteering wheel lock make sure theignition is in the accessory or on positionwhen being towed.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable withoutaccess to wheel dollies or a vehicletransport trailer, it can be flat-towed withall wheels on the ground, regardless of thepowertrain and transmission configuration,under the following conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward fortowing in a forward direction.
•Place the transmission in neutral (N).If you cannot shift the transmission intoneutral (N), you may need to overridethe gear shifter. See Transmission(page 163). Failing to do so may resultin 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 vehiclewith all wheels on the ground becausevehicle or transmission damage couldoccur. You must recreational tow yourvehicle with all four wheels off the groundsuch as when using a car-hauling trailer.Otherwise, you cannot recreational towyour vehicle.
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OPENING THE CONVERTIBLE
TOP
When you use the top, you must firstunlatch it from the windshield and thenuse the convertible top control.
Note:The convertible top does not operateunless the vehicle is stationary or travelingunder 3 mph (5 km/h). A chime sounds anda warning message appears in theinstrument panel. When you slow down, thetop operates.
Note: When you latch or unlatch theconvertible top, the audio system mutesbriefly. This allows the vehicle to optimizethe cabin’s sound quality depending on theposition of the convertible top.
To unlatch the convertible top:
1.Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.The ignition must be on. Werecommend that the vehicle remainsrunning when you open the top toprevent draining the battery.
2.Check the convertible top stowagecompartment behind the rear seat tobe sure it is empty. Make sure theconvertible top outer surface is free ofdebris.
3.Move the latch handle, above theinterior mirror, down toward thewindshield and rotate the handleclockwise to release the convertibletop.
The windows open automatically whenyou press the convertible top control.
To open the convertible top:
1.Press and hold the convertible topcontrol on the overhead console, untilthe windows are completely down andthe top stores completely.
2.Release the convertible top control.
Note:Do not store articles behind the rearseat. Articles in the convertible top stowagecompartment may break the rear glasswindow when you open the top.
Note:Opening the convertible top whenthe top material is wet may cause mold ormildew.
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