Now that the S650 Ford Mustang is officially set to arrive at dealers next week (July 21-27, 2023), it’s time to read the 2024 Mustang owner’s manual for all those little—and not so little—details that matter.
In this era of electrification, the sheer introduction of the seventh-generation Mustang, with its Gen IV Coyote 5.0L N/A V8 and its 2.3L EcoBoost turbo-four, is a reason to celebrate, especially since the seventh-generation Mustang should stay alive through the end of the decade.
However, keeping the early cars in good condition is up to their drivers and this is where consulting the owner’s manual pays off. After perusing the web version of the 551-page PDF, here are the top aspects that caught our attention—helmet tip to Mustang7G forums user roket for uncovering the manual on the official Ford Service Content website.
S650 Mustang with phone as a key
We’ll kick things off with the 2024 Mustang phone as a key feature, something that wasn’t offered on the previous Mustang. Note that the feature doesn’t involve the S650’s Apple or Android integration, relying on the dedicated Ford Pass app instead.
Based on multiple sections of the 2024 Ford Mustang owner’s manual (e.g., Starting and Stopping the Engine), the S650 pony allows you to lock and unlock the vehicle using your smartphone. However, unlike in the case of other models belonging to Lincoln and the Mustang Mach-E, you can’t rely on your smartphone to start the engine of the S650 Mustang. For example, the “Starting and Stopping the Engine” section states you need a valid key inside the car to start the engine.
Also, there’s no mention of the new Remote Rev feature, which allows owners to, well, remotely rev their engines (more on this below), being available in the Ford Pass app, so you’ll still need to use your key fob for that.
The Mustang Dark Horse’s Underbody Aero Requires Special Precautions When Driving Through Standing Water
Driving through standing water is always a risky affair, as the driver is often unable to ascertain the depth. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse requires special precautions, as the aerodynamic underbody devices can make it easier for the water to enter the engine (while this is not mentioned in the manual specifically, the engine hydrolock risk is implied): “Water may enter through the air intake due to the vacuum generated in the engine,”
A sobering reminder follows: “Your vehicle warranty does not cover damage caused by the intake of water into the engine,“
As such, Ford warns Dark Horse owners to never drive through water higher than the bottom of the rim and, if driving through standing water can’t be avoided, speed should be limited to 10 mph.
In addition, Ford tells owners of the S650 Mustang EcoBoost (described as “Base” and GT to never drive through water that is higher than the vehicle’s front rocker area.
2024 Mustang Engine Break-In
As Ford recommends in the Driving Hints section of the manual, the V8 (GT and Dark Horse), as well as the EcoBoost engines of the 2024 Mustang need a break-in period. So, for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), you should stay below highway speeds and avoid heavy braking, aggressive shifting, or using the vehicle to tow. For the record, this is a general Ford recommendation that was also made for the retired S550 Mustang.
Speaking of which, the manual clearly states that the Dark Horse Mustang is not approved for trailer towing. However, in the case of the S650 Mustang GT and EcoBoost, the manual tells us not to exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label, without providing further details.
However, since there was no official tow rating for the S550 Mustang, we wouldn’t rush to hitch a trailer behind the seventh-generation Pony. Of course, YouTubers always find a way to mess with these “rules”, so here’s a Lamborghini Huracan towing an Urus (no, it’s not the other way around).
S650 Mustang Track Use Maintenance
Moving to an activity that’s more likely to interest Mustang drivers, Ford recommends specific maintenance intervals for using the S650 Mustang on the circuit or in a high-speed event.
Thus, you should change the engine oil and filter after attending a track weekend or 4 hours of track use. You should also replace the rear axle fluid every 500 miles (800 km).
For the sake of comparison, the normal oil change intervals—displayed by the Oil-Life Monitor—come in three levels, according to the type of vehicle use. These range from 7,000-10,000 miles (11,000-16,000 km) for normal driving to 3,000-5,000 miles (4,800-8.000 km) maximum load or towing, as well as extreme hot or cold operation.
As a reminder, the 2024 Ford Mustang range kicks off at $33,515 (EcoBoost Coupe). If you want the V8, the GT Coupe starts at $41,335.
Then there’s the current range-topper, the $59,565 MSRP Dark Horse. This doesn’t just push the Gen IV Coyote V8 to 500 hp via a dual-throttle-body intakes, but also leaves behind the Getrag MT-82 six-speed manual, which has experienced issues on the S550, replacing this with the Tremec TR-3160 from the Mach 1 and the Shelby GT350.
Remote Rev can take the engine up to 5,000 rpm in four shots
This is where you can browse the 2024 Ford Mustang user’s manual (PDF and web version). And in case the S650 Mustang’s Remote Rev feature caught your attention, there’s a demo video below, courtesy of YouTuber user Sinister Coyote 5.0.
Remote Rev, which puts the exhaust valves into the most aggressive setting (normally used for Track Mode), can only be activated when the engine has reached optimal temperature. As explained in the manual, the engine will need up to 1 minute to reach optimal temperature when the ambient air temperature is at least 41 degrees Fahrenheit. So when it’s colder outside, the engine may naturally take longer to reach the said temperature.
Plus, if temperatures for the engine coolant, oil or catalytic converter are too high or too low, Remote Rev won’t work. Nevertheless, as explained in the video by a Ford instructor, there are two levels for Remote Rev, which control the rpm and repetitions. Level 1 is milder, while Level 2 can go up to 5,000 rpm and four reps. It’s also worth noting that, Remote Rev is only offered on Mustangs fitted with the optional ten-speed automatic-manual Mustangs are left out over safety reasons.
As for what’s set to happen later this year, once the seventh-generation pony hits the streets, custom examples like the 2024 RTR Mustang Spec 2 with its custom exhaust and its entry-level aero additions, will only increase in numbers and aggression. So you’d better brace yourselves for the SEMA 2023 show (October 31-November 3), which will offer the first wave of modded S650 ‘Stangs.