Hi, my name is Devin. I am an auto repair expert with the Car Genius team here at RepairPal. I’m sorry to hear you're having trouble with your Mustang.
I know how frustrating it can be when you can't quite get the readiness monitors to set. Readiness monitors are part of the vehicle's on-board diagnostics system and need to complete a series of tests to ensure all systems are functioning properly. If they aren't setting, it could be due to a few reasons.
First, ensure there are no stored trouble codes, as these can prevent monitors from completing. If there are no codes, the issue might be related to the drive cycle not being completed correctly. Each monitor has specific conditions that must be met, such as certain speeds, engine temperatures, and driving patterns. For your Mustang, try to follow these steps:
1. Start the engine. Drive the vehicle or idle in neutral for 4 minutes. Probe requires a drive or idle in neutral for 9 minutes.
2. Idle the vehicle in drive (neutral for M/T) for 40 seconds.
3. Accelerate the vehicle to 45 MPH (M/T up shift from 1st to 5th gear but hold in 2nd gear for at least 5 seconds) at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle for 10 seconds. When driving an Escort/Tracer or a Probe, accelerate to 35 MPH (M/T up shift to 3rd gear) at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle for 10 seconds.
4. Drive the vehicle with a steady throttle at 45 MPH (M/T use 5th gear) for 30 seconds. When driving an Escort/Tracer or a Probe, hold a steady throttle at 35 MPH (M/T use 3rd gear) for 30 seconds.
5. Idle the vehicle in drive (neutral M/T) for 40 seconds. Probe requires this idle to be for at least 2 minutes
6. Continue to drive the vehicle in city traffic at speeds between 25 and 40 MPH (M/T primarily drive vehicle in 3rd and 4th gear when possible) for 15 minutes. During the 15 minute drive the following modes must be achieved:
a. At least 5 stop and idle modes at 10 seconds each.
b. Accelerations from idles at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle position (Escort/Tracer use 1/2 to 3/4 throttle position).
c. Choose 3 different speeds to do 1.5 minute steady state throttle drives. However, on the Probe, the last steady state throttle drive should be between 25 and 40 MPH for 5 minutes.
7. Accelerate the vehicle up between 45 and 60MPH (M/T up shift to 5th gear). This should take approximately 8 minutes.
8. Drive vehicle and hold the throttle steady at the selected speed between 45 and 60MPH (M/T use 5th gear) for approximately 5 minutes.
9. Drive vehicle for 5 minutes at varying speeds between 45 and 60MPH (M/T use 5th gear).
10. Bring the vehicle back to idle. Idle in drive (neutral for M/T) for 40 seconds.
If you've driven over 500 miles and tried these steps and the monitors still won't set, it might be helpful to have a professional check for any underlying issues with the vehicle's sensors or emissions systems.
If you need more advice, have any other questions about your vehicle, or would like to get connected to a RepairPal Certified shop near you, we have you covered. Give us a call at 877-913-1554, and we will happily help you out!
