Questions and Answers

Ford Mustang Noise, Milage Q. Hello, I am having trouble with a car I just bought, and I was hoping that you could help me out. I would really appreciate it. It is a Ford Mustang GT, 1995, and it has a 5.0-liter engine (stick shift, 215 hp), whenever I start the car, and press the clutch, it makes this loud squeaking sound. I do not know what that is, but I think it has to do something with the clutch.

It only makes it when I am going from neutral to first or neutral to reverse. Also, (especially at 4,000+ rpm) the car makes this not so loud, high frequency sound, which I think is due to the transmission, but I am not sure. Another thing that bugs me about the car is that it gives me 10 MPG during city driving.

I am used to driving Honda accords that give me like 30 mpg+ because of all the modifications I had in there even in city driving. 10 is just horrible. Is there anything you can recommend? Also, I am in the San Diego area in case you need me to participate in another one of your experiments/product reviews. Once again, I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Salman

P.S. the car has about 80,100 miles, and the clutch doesn't seem worn out since it does very responsive shifting.

A. The best I can do for you with the noises is to recommend lubricating the shift linkage and check the shift cable. The shift cable has a small seal, much like a valve seal, on the end to keep water and dirt out. If this seal goes bad then the water gets in and the shift cable starts rusting, usually resulting in a squeaking type noise.

The noise in the transmission is something I would need to hear to be able to offer any kind of reasonable suggestion.

As far as gas milage goes, this in no Honda so don't even think you're going to get anywhere near with this Mustang 5.0 HO what you got with your Honda.

The best thing you can do is to give it a good tune-up, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, filters, etc and keep the tire pressures set correctly. Oh, and shifting long before it hit's four grand will go a long way in improving your fuel economy.