Ford Mustang 1997 Owner's Manual

Introduction

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the

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quality of our products and services must be our number one priority.

You are the focus of everything we do. Our

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work must be done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition.

Continuous improvement is essential to our

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success. We must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products — in their safety and value — and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability.

Employee involvement is our way of life.

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We are a team. We must treat one another with trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We

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must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates.

Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct

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worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society.

This Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.

This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation.

NOTES and WARNINGS

NOTES give you additional information about

the subject matter you are referencing. WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful

in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully.

R WARNING

Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index or the Index.

The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term.

Canadian Owners — French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.

Record Booklet

The Maintenance Schedule booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed.

Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended

Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties.

Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this Owner’s Guide.

Ford Extended Service Plan

More Protection for Your Vehicle

You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended service program with the Ford name on it and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company.

Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and administered by Ford. It provides:

protection against repair costs after your

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Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;

other benefits during the warranty period

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(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and wear items).

You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your own driving needs, including reimbursement benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for details.)

When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind protection throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor Company dealers.

NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United

States and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.

This information is subject to change, ask your dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.

Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle.

Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle

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has new brake linings, you should take these steps:

— Watch traffic carefully so that you can

anticipate when to stop. — Begin braking well in advance. — Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Use only the type of engine oil that Ford

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recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Powertrain Control Module that limits engine and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to promote durability.

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................1

Instrumentation .............................................. 7

Audio .............................................................. 25

Controls and Features ................................ 55

Seating and Safety Restraints ................ 103

Starting ......................................................... 149

Driving ......................................................... 157

Roadside Emergencies .............................. 181

Maintenance and Care ............................. 209

Capacities and Specifications ................. 265

Reporting Safety Defects

(U.S. Only) .................................................. 273

Customer Assistance .................................275

Accessories .................................................. 287

Quick Index ................................................ 297

Index ............................................................. 309

Service Station Information .................... 332

Mustang instrument panel

Instrumentation

The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into several different sections. The illustrations on the following pages show the major parts of the instrument panel that are described in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles.

In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges are grouped together on the instrument panel. We call this grouping a cluster.

Mustang GT instrument cluster

Mustang instrument cluster

Thefollowingwarninglightsandgaugesareon thecluster.Allofthewarninglightsandgauges alertyoutopossibleproblemswithyourvehicle. Someofthelightslistedareoptional.The followingsectionsdetailwhateachofthese indicatorsmeans.

BrakeSystemWarningLight

Thewarninglightforthebrakescanshowtwo things—thattheparkingbrakeisnotfully released,orthatthebrakefluidlevelislowin themastercylinderreservoir.Ifthefluidlevelis low,thebrakesystemshouldbecheckedbya qualifiedservicetechnician.

Thebrakesystemwarninglight

Thislightcomesonwhentheparkingbrakeis set,orifitisnotset,itcomesonbrieflywhen youturntheignitionkeytoSTART.Itnormally goesoffshortlyaftertheenginestartsandyou releasetheparkingbrake.Ifthelightstayson afteryouhavefullyreleasedtheparkingbrake, havethehydraulicbrakesystemserviced.

WARNING

TheBRAKElightindicatesthatthebrakes maynotbeworkingproperly.Havethe brakescheckedimmediately.

Anti-Lock Brake System Light (If equipped)

This warning light will go on each time you start your vehicle. If it remains on for longer than five seconds, you should shut off your engine and restart. If the anti-lock brake light stays on, this indicates that the anti-lock feature is disabled and should receive immediate attention by a qualified service technician. Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is also lit.

The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As previously described, the system turns on the anti-lock light each time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the anti-lock light is out, the system performs another test the first time the vehicle reaches 14 mph (22 km/h). The system turns on the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) pump motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time a mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal part of the self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock light will come on.

The anti-lock brake system light

WARNING

Iftheanti-lockbrakesystemwarning lightremainsonorcomesonwhile driving,havethebrakingsystemchecked byaqualifiedservicetechnicianassoon aspossible.

NOTE:Ifafaultoccursintheanti-lock

system,andthebrakewarninglightis notlit,theanti-locksystemisdisabled butnormalbrakefunctionremains operational.

SafetyBeltWarningLightandChime

Thiswarninglightandchimeremindyouto fastenyoursafetybelt.Thefollowingconditions willtakeplace:

Ifthesafetybeltisnotbuckledwhenthekey

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isturnedtotheONposition,thelightcomes onfor1to2minutesandthechimesounds for4to8seconds.

Ifthesafetybeltisbuckledwhilethelightis

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onandthechimeissounding,boththelight andchimewillturnoff.

Ifthesafetybeltisbuckledbeforethekeyis

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turnedtotheONposition,thelightwillnot illuminateandthechimewillnotsound.

Thesafetybeltwarninglight

Air Bag Readiness Light

The air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. The readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance of the air bag system is not required.

If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

The air bag readiness light

Low Coolant Warning Light (If equipped)

This light tells you that the coolant is low inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more coolant.

This light comes on for a few seconds when your ignition key is turned to start, but should turn off when the engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant inside the recovery bottle. See Engine Coolant in the Index.

The low coolant warning light

Charging System Light

This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked.

The charging system light

This light illuminates every time you turn the ignition to the ON or START position (engine off). The light should go off when the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.

If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.

Overdrive Off Indicator (Automatic Only)

The overdrive off indicator light

This light tells you that the Transmission Control Switch (TCS) has been pushed. When the light is on, the transmission will not shift into overdrive. Depressing the control will return the vehicle to “overdrive on” mode. The transmission will be in the “overdrive on” mode when the vehicle is started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when the vehicle was last shut off.

NOTE: If the light does not come on when the

TCS is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition persists, damage could occur to the transmission.

High Beam Light

This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.

The high beam light

Check Engine Warning Light

This light illuminates when the engine’s Emission Control System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON position and the engine is off.

The check engine warning light

Anti-Theft Alarm Light

Anti-theft alarm light

This light is used when you set the anti-theft alarm system. See Anti-Theft System in the Controls and Features chapter for more information.

Turn Signal Indicator Lights

The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the direction in which you are going to be turning.

The turn signal indicator light

Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge

The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the ignition switch is ON. For proper fuel gauge indication after adding fuel, turn the ignition switch OFF while refueling the vehicle.

The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion. The most accurate reading is obtained with the vehicle on level ground.

With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON position.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.

The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the NORMAL band as your engine coolant warms up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer should stay in the NORMAL band. It is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the NORMAL band under normal driving

conditions, and under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of the NORMAL band.

If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and continued operation may cause engine damage.

The engine coolant temperature gauge

If your engine overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Turn off the engine.

3. Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVE

COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.

4. Check the coolant level following the instructions on checking and adding coolant to your engine, see Engine Coolant in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured.

If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system serviced.

Speedometer

The speedometer (GT similar)

The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.

Odometer

The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.

Trip Odometer

If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9 miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply set the trip odometer to zero by pressing the reset control firmly when beginning the distance you wish to measure.

Since the trip odometer displays distance independent of the odometer it will not always advance to the next mile (kilometer) at the same time as the odometer.

Tachometer

The tachometer (GT similar)

The tachometer displays the approximate engine revolutions per minute (rpm), or how fast the engine is running.

The white zone shows the highest number of engine revolutions per minute (rpm) at which you should drive your car. Driving with the pointer in the red zone may cause engine damage.

Battery Voltage Gauge

This gauge shows you the battery voltage when the ignition key is in the ON position.

If the battery is operating under cold weather conditions, the pointer may indicate in the upper range of the NORMAL band while the battery is charging. If you are running electrical accessories with the engine off or idling at a low speed, or the battery is not fully charged, the pointer may move toward the lower end of the NORMAL band.

If it stays outside the NORMAL band, have your vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as it is safely possible.

Battery voltage gauge

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

This gauge indicates the engine oil pressure, not the oil level. However, if your engine’s oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. With the engine running, the pointer should move into the NORMAL band. If the pointer drops below the NORMAL band while the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage.

Engine oil pressure gauge

If you lose engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe engine damage could result.

3. Check the engine’s oil level, following the instructions on checking and adding engine oil, see the Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your car should be on level ground.

4. If the level is low, add oil as necessary before you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the pointer in the oil pressure gauge is below the NORMAL band, regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for further service actions.

For more information about adding oil, see Engine Oil Recommendations in the Index.

Electronic Stereo Radio with Cassette

Electronic Sound Systems

Using the Controls on Your New Radio

How to turn the radio on and adjust the volume

Press the “POWER” button to turn the radio on. Press it again to turn it off.

Press the right (+) side of the “VOLUME” button to increase the volume. Press the left (S) side of the button to decrease the volume. Illuminated bars in the display show the relative volume level.

NOTE: If the volume level is set above a

certain listening level when the ignition switch is turned off, when the ignition switch is turned back on, the volume will come back to a “nominal” listening level. However, if the radio power is turned off, the volume will remain in the position it was set at when radio power was switched off.

Selecting the AM or FM frequency band

Push the “AM/FM” button to select the desired frequency band or to stop/store cassette tape (when in cassette mode). Pushing the button more than once will alternate between AM, FM1 and FM2. These functions are used with the station memory buttons described under How to

tune radio stations.

How to tune radio stations

There are four ways for you to tune in to a particular station. You can manually locate the station by using the Automatic Music Search (“AMS”) button, “SEEK” the station, “SCAN” to the station or select the station by using the memory buttons, which you can set to any desired frequency.

Using the “AMS” function to manually tune

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your radio

You can change the frequency up or down one increment at a time by first pressing the “AMS” button, (display shows “TUNE”) then pressing and releasing either the rightaor leftbside of the “SEEK” button. To change frequencies quickly, press and hold down either the right or left side of the “SEEK” button.

Manual tuning adjusts your radio to any allowable broadcast frequency, whether or not a station is present on that frequency. (See All About Radio Frequencies in this section.)

Using the “SEEK” function

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This feature on your radio allows you to automatically select listenable stations up or down the frequency band. Press the right side of the “SEEK” button to select the next listenable station up the frequency band. Press the leftbside of the button to select the next listenable station down the frequency band. By holding the button down, listenable stations can be passed over to reach the desired station.

Using the “SCAN” function

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Press the “SCAN” button to enter the scan mode. The radio will begin scanning up the frequency band, stopping on each listenable station for approximately a five-second sampling. This continues until you press the “SCAN” button a second time. The display flashes “AM” or “FM.”

Setting the Station Memory Preset buttons

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Your radio is equipped with 6 station memory buttons. These buttons can be used to select up to 6 preset AM stations and 12 FM stations (6 in FM1 and 6 in FM2).

Follow the easy steps below to set these buttons to the desired frequencies:

1. Select a band, then select a frequency.

2. Press one of the memory preset buttons and hold the button until the sound returns. That station is now held in memory on that button.

3. Follow the two steps above for each station memory preset button you want to set.

NOTE: If the vehicle’s battery is disconnected,

the station memory preset buttons will need to be reset.

Adjusting the tone balance and speaker output of your radio

Increasing or decreasing bass response

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Push the “AUDIO” button repeatedly until the display reads “BASS.” Push the right (+) side of the “VOLUME” button to increase bass (more “lows”), and push the left (S) side to decrease bass (less “lows”).

Increasing or decreasing treble response

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Push the “AUDIO” button repeatedly until the display reads “TREB.” Push the right (+) side of the “VOLUME” button to increase treble (more “highs”), and push the left (S) side to decrease treble (less “highs”).

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