2008 Ford Mustang Owner's Manual

2008 Ford Mustang owners manual
Year:
2008
Make:
Ford
Model:
Mustang
Rating:
(8)

Online manual

Size:
2.57 MB

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1
Introduction
4
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
4
CONGRATULATIONS
4
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
5
Warning symbols in this guide
5
Warning symbols on your vehicle
5
Protecting the environment
5
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
5
SPECIAL NOTICES
5
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
5
Special instructions
6
Service Data Recording
6
Event Data Recording
6
Cell phone use
7
Export unique (Non–United States/Canada) vehicle specific information
7
Instrument Cluster
10
WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
10
GAUGES
15
Entertainment Systems
19
AUDIO SYSTEMS
19
Quick start — How to get going
19
Listening to the radio
19
Listening to satellite radio (if equipped)
20
Listening to a CD/MP3 (if equipped)
20
AM/FM stereo / single CD/MP3 sound system (if equipped)
23
SHAKER 500 — Audiophile In-Dash Six CD/MP3 Sound System (if equipped)
28
SHAKER 1000 — Audiophile In-dash Six CD/MP3 Sound System (if equipped)
29
Auxiliary input jack (Line in)
36
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
38
Satellite radio information (if equipped)
40
Navigation system (if equipped)
43
Climate Controls
44
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
44
Operating tips
45
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (R )
46
CABIN AIR FILTER
47
Lights
48
HEADLAMP CONTROL
48
Fog lamp control (if equipped)
48
High beams
48
Flash to pass
49
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
49
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
49
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
50
Vertical aim adjustment
50
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
51
INTERIOR LAMPS
51
Map lamps
51
Ambient/Mood lighting (if equipped)
52
BULB REPLACEMENT
52
Headlamp condensation
52
Using the right bulbs
52
Replacing interior bulbs
53
Replacing exterior bulbs
53
Replacing headlamp bulbs
53
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
54
Replacing front turn signal bulbs
54
Replacing front parking lamp bulbs
55
Replacing fog lamp bulbs (if equipped)
55
Replacing tail lamp/brake/rear turn signal lamp bulbs
55
Replacing backup bulbs
56
Replacing rear sidemarker lamp bulbs
57
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
57
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
58
Driver Controls
59
MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
59
TILT STEERING WHEEL (IF EQUIPPED)
60
CENTER CONSOLE
60
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
61
POWER WINDOWS
62
Accessory delay
63
Bounce Back (Front windows only)
63
Bounce Back Override (Front windows only)
63
Short drop glass (Front windows only)
63
Rear Power Windows (Convertible Only)
64
INTERIOR MIRROR
64
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)
64
Electronic compass (if equipped)
65
Compass zone adjustment
65
Compass calibration adjustment
66
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
66
Power side view mirrors
66
SPEED CONTROL
66
Setting speed control
67
Disengaging speed control
67
Resuming a set speed
67
Increasing speed while using speed control
67
Reducing speed while using speed control
68
Turning off speed control
68
CONVERTIBLE (IF EQUIPPED)
68
Lowering the convertible top
68
Installation of the boot (if equipped)
70
Raising the convertible top
71
MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
73
Selectable features
73
Reset
73
Setup menu
73
System check
73
Display color
74
Units (English/Metric)
75
Display Mode
75
Language
75
Info menu
76
Odometer/Trip odometer
76
Distance to empty (DTE)
76
Average fuel economy (AFE)
77
Instantaneous fuel economy
78
Fuel Used
78
Trip elapsed drive time
78
Average speed
78
Blank Display
78
System warnings
79
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT (IF EQUIPPED)
81
Locks and Security
82
KEYS
82
POWER DOOR LOCKS
82
Smart locks
83
Power door trim switch inhibit (if equipped)
83
Deactivating/activating the power door trim switch inhibit feature
83
Autolock (if equipped)
84
Relock
84
Deactivating/activating the autolock feature
84
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE
84
REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM
86
Unlocking the doors
86
Locking the doors
87
Car finder
87
Sounding a panic alarm
87
Opening the trunk
87
Replacing the battery
88
Replacing lost remote entry transmitters
89
How to reprogram your remote entry transmitters
89
Illuminated entry
89
Perimeter lighting feature (if equipped)
90
Enabling/disabling the perimeter lighting feature
90
SECURILOCK™ PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
91
Anti-theft indicator
92
Automatic arming
92
Automatic disarming
92
Replacement keys
93
Programming spare keys
93
ACTIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
94
Arming the system
95
Disarming the system
96
Seating and Safety Restraints
97
SEATING
97
Adjustable head restraints
97
Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)
98
Four-way seat adjust (driver side only)
99
Using the power lumbar support (if equipped)
99
Adjusting the front power seats (if equipped)
99
Heated seats (if equipped)
101
Rear seat entry/exit
102
REAR SEATS
102
2nd seat/split-folding rear seat
102
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
103
Personal Safety System™
103
How does the Personal Safety System™ work?
104
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
104
Front crash severity sensor
104
Driver’s seat position sensor
104
Front passenger sensing system
105
Front safety belt usage sensors
105
Front safety belt pretensioners
106
Front safety belt energy management retractors
106
Determining if the Personal Safety System™ is operational
106
Safety restraints precautions
107
Combination lap and shoulder belts
108
Energy Management Feature
109
Vehicle sensitive mode
110
Automatic locking mode
110
When to use the automatic locking mode
110
How to use the automatic locking mode
110
How to disengage the automatic locking mode
111
Safety belt pretensioner
112
Safety belt extension assembly
112
Safety belt maintenance
112
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
113
Conditions of operation
113
Belt-Minder
113
One-time disable
116
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature
116
AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
118
Important SRS precautions
118
Children and airbags
120
How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?
120
Front passenger sensing system
122
Seat-mounted side airbag system
126
How does the side airbag system work?
127
Determining if the system is operational
128
Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles
129
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
129
Important child restraint precautions
129
Children and safety belts
130
Child booster seats
130
When children should use booster seats
130
Types of booster seats
131
The importance of shoulder belts
132
SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN
133
Child and infant or child safety seats
133
Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts
134
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
137
For Coupe only:
138
For Convertible only:
139
Attaching child safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments
141
Tires, Wheels and Loading
144
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
144
Treadwear
144
Traction AA A B C
144
Temperature A B C
145
TIRES
145
Glossary of tire terminology
145
INFLATING YOUR TIRES
146
TIRE CARE
148
Inspecting your tires
148
Tire wear
149
Damage
149
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
150
Tire replacement requirements
150
Safety practices
151
Highway hazards
152
Tire and wheel alignment
152
Tire rotation
152
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL
153
Information on “P” type tires
154
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for “LT” type tires
157
Information on “T” type tires
158
Location of the tire label
158
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
159
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
161
When your temporary spare tire is installed
161
When you believe your system is not operating properly
162
When inflating your tires
163
How temperature affects your tire pressure
163
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
164
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
164
TRAILER TOWING
170
Preparing to tow
170
Hitches
170
Safety chains
171
Trailer brakes
171
Trailer lamps
171
Driving while you tow
171
Servicing after towing
172
Trailer towing tips
172
RECREATIONAL TOWING
172
Driving
173
STARTING
173
Positions of the ignition
173
Preparing to start your vehicle
173
Important safety precautions
174
Starting the engine
176
Guarding against exhaust fumes
176
Important ventilating information
177
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
177
BRAKES
178
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
179
ABS warning lamp
179
Using ABS
179
Parking brake
180
TRACTION CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
180
STEERING
182
TRACTION-LOK™ AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
182
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
183
Brake-shift interlock
183
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 5–speed automatic transmission
184
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
186
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
187
Using the clutch
187
Recommended shift speeds
188
Reverse
188
Parking your vehicle
188
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
189
Roadside Emergencies
190
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
190
Getting roadside assistance
190
Using roadside assistance
191
Roadside coverage beyond basic warranty
191
HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
191
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
192
FUSES AND RELAYS
192
Fuses
192
Standard fuse amperage rating and color
193
Passenger compartment fuse panel
193
Power distribution box
195
Auxiliary relay
198
Auxiliary relay with HID headlamps
199
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
199
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
200
Stopping and securing the vehicle
202
Tire change procedure
202
TEMPORARY MOBILITY KIT (IF EQUIPPED)
205
General information
205
Tips for use of the temporary mobility kit
206
What to do when a tire is punctured
207
First stage: Reinflating the tire with sealing compound and air
207
Second stage: Checking tire pressure
210
What to do after the tire has been sealed
211
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
212
JUMP STARTING
213
Preparing your vehicle
213
Connecting the jumper cables
214
Jump starting
216
Removing the jumper cables
216
WRECKER TOWING
218
Emergency Towing
219
Customer Assistance
220
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
220
At home
220
Away from home
220
Additional Assistance
221
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
222
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) AUTO LINE PROGRAM (U.S. ONLY)
223
UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM (CANADA ONLY)
224
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
224
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
225
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE
226
Obtaining a French owner’s guide
226
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (U.S. ONLY)
226
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (CANADA ONLY)
227
Cleaning
228
WASHING THE EXTERIOR
228
WAXING
229
PAINT CHIPS
229
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
229
ENGINE
230
4.0L SOHC V6 ENGINE
230
4.6L 3V SOHC V8 ENGINE
231
PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS
231
WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
231
CONVERTIBLE TOP AND PADDED MOLDING
232
INSTRUMENT PANEL/INTERIOR TRIM AND CLUSTER LENS
232
INTERIOR
233
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
234
UNDERBODY
234
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY CAR CARE PRODUCTS
235
Maintenance and Specifications
236
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
236
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
236
Working with the engine off
236
Working with the engine on
237
OPENING THE HOOD
237
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
238
4.0L SOHC V6 engine
238
4.6L 3V SOHC V8 engine
239
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
240
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
241
ENGINE OIL
241
Checking the engine oil
241
Adding engine oil
243
Engine Oil Recommendations
244
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil
244
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
245
BATTERY
246
ENGINE COOLANT
248
Checking engine coolant
248
Adding engine coolant
249
Recycled engine coolant
251
Coolant refill capacity
252
Severe climates
252
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine only)
253
How fail-safe cooling works
253
When fail-safe mode is activated
253
FUEL FILTER
254
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
254
Important safety precautions
254
Refueling
256
Fuel filler cap
256
Choosing the right fuel
257
Octane recommendations
258
Octane recommendations (Bullitt™* Mustang only)
258
Fuel quality
258
Cleaner air
259
Running out of fuel
259
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
259
Measuring techniques
259
Filling the tank
259
Calculating fuel economy
260
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
261
Habits
261
Maintenance
261
Conditions
262
EPA window sticker
262
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
262
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
264
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
265
POWER STEERING FLUID
266
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
267
TRANSMISSION FLUID
267
Checking automatic transmission fluid
267
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
268
AIR FILTER
269
Changing the air filter element (except Bullitt™* Mustang)
270
Changing the air filter element (Bullitt™* Mustang)
270
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
271
MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
272
ENGINE DATA
275
Engine drivebelt routing
275
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
276
Safety Compliance Certification Label
276
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
276
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
277
Accessories
278
GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
278
Exterior style
278
Interior style
278
Lifestyle
279
Peace of mind
279
Index
280

2008 Ford Mustang Overview

Introduction

The 2008 Ford Mustang carries forward the iconic American muscle car legacy, fusing retro styling with modern engineering. It brings an unmistakable presence on the road with its bold lines and aggressive stance, while offering an array of features that blend performance, comfort, and technology. With a penchant for power and an exhilarating driving experience, the 2008 Mustang appeals to enthusiasts and casual drivers alike.

Powertrains

The 2008 Mustang is available with two robust powertrains. The base model is equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that generates 210 horsepower, ensuring lively acceleration and a responsive driving experience. For those seeking more muscle, the GT variant boasts a 4.6-liter V8 engine that roars to life with 300 horsepower, delivering a thrilling performance that truly captures the essence of American muscle. Both powertrains come with a choice of a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission, allowing drivers to customize their driving experience.

Trims

The Mustang is available in several trims, primarily the V6 and GT models, each catering to diverse preferences. The V6 trim offers an excellent balance of power and efficiency, while the GT trim elevates the experience with enhanced performance features and distinctive styling cues. Additionally, the California Special package offers unique aesthetics and performance enhancements for buyers looking to stand apart.

Features

Equipped with a variety of features, the 2008 Ford Mustang emphasizes comfort and connectivity. Standard amenities include air conditioning, a stereo system with CD player, and power windows. Optional features such as leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and advanced navigation cater to those wanting a more luxurious experience. Safety is also a priority with standard front airbags, stability control, and available anti-lock brakes.

Owner's Manual

User manual download

The Ford Mustang owner manual for the 2008 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2008 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.

Posted by, John Mana author bio image
A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.

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