New 2021 Mustang 5.0 owner

[Rbp_280z]

Hey everyone, after weeks of researching my wife and I finally decided on getting a 2021 Mustang 5.0 with a manual transmission. We just finished restoring a 1977 Datsun 280z and wanted to get a newer car that we can use for commuting to work and for road trips. This is my first Mustang and had a few questions.

- What is the best way to protect the front end from rock chips? I was doing research and was thinking of putting a clear bra on.

- We tend to keep our vehicles for a very long time. What would be best to increase the longevity of the Mustang? Any issues to look out for?

- We decided to save money by going with the Sync 1 infotainment system. What phone mounts do you recommend for navigation? Any other must have accessories? I was thinking of switching the dome lights to LED’s because it’s a little dim inside.

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[Pkvir]

Congratulations


What is the best way to protect the front end from rock chips? I was doing research and was thinking of putting a clear bra on.

I have had my mustang for 18 months and have no rock chips. I imagine a clear bra would help though.

- We tend to keep our vehicles for a very long time. What would be best to increase the longevity of the Mustang? Any issues to look out for?

Keep up with the maintenance per the owners manual, especially oil changes

- We decided to save money by going with the Sync 1 infotainment system. What phone mounts do you recommend for navigation? Any other must have accessories? I was thinking of switching the dome lights to LED’s because it’s a little dim inside.

I have no input here as I opted for the 401a package.

 

[Rbp_280z]

Congratulations


What is the best way to protect the front end from rock chips? I was doing research and was thinking of putting a clear bra on.

I have had my mustang for 18 months and have no rock chips. I imagine a clear bra would help though.

- We tend to keep our vehicles for a very long time. What would be best to increase the longevity of the Mustang? Any issues to look out for?

Keep up with the maintenance per the owners manual, especially oil changes

- We decided to save money by going with the Sync 1 infotainment system. What phone mounts do you recommend for navigation? Any other must have accessories? I was thinking of switching the dome lights to LED’s because it’s a little dim inside.

I have no input here as I opted for the 401a package.

I appreciate your input! Thank you

 

[Muhnopoly]

I'm a fan of sleek simple phone mounts so I went with "scosche vent magnet phone mount". Slap a magnetic sticker behind my phone case and put the mount on the center AC vent so I still have the left and right ones available. And not sure if it's really an issue on the 5.0 compare to the 5.2 but make sure you break in the engine correctly otherwise she's gonna be an oil eater if those seals don't seat properly.

 

[KingKona]

Do NOT baby the engine when new. Get on it. Get on it, off it, on it, off it. Heat and pressure bed rings and seals. If you baby it, you'll have an oil burner.

Burning some oil between the first two oil changes is normal, check your oil every 500-1000 miles, but should stop happening at the 3rd oil change or so.

Otherwise, the cars are remarkably trouble-free.

Too bad about the basic radio. I'd start with getting that system replaced with SYNC3.

 

[rob_s]

For #3, I just use a WeatherTech CupFone and run the charging cable to the USB port in the center console (there's even a little notch so you can close the lid without pinching the cable). But I also almost always drive by myself, so if you have a need for both cupholders, this wouldn't be ideal.

 

[joe603]

This was my 1st Ford, so I decided to keep the RPMs below 4-5k for the first 1k miles. Definitely hard to keep off the rev-happy coyote. Clear bra would be the only thing that would help against rock chips. I don't go on the interstate very often, so I decided to do 3yr ceramic only. My first time with ceramic coatings and so far I'm impressed. The car looks just-waxed all the time now. I only need to wash it when the rims turn brown from the Brembo's dust.

Since you have the manual, I'd recommend the clutch spring:

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-7022-s550-clutch-spring

Love that mod!! Made the clutch easier to feather in smoothly vs the factory almost on/off feeling.

Next would be an H or X pipe. If you have active exhaust, this is a great mod to give the car a much nicer sound.

 

[IMadeYouReadThis]

5w30 instead of 5w20

 

[Pkvir]

5w30 instead of 5w20

I believe that is the manufactures recommended oil for 2021 and 2022's . It should be listed on the oil cap.

 

[pt's21]

For a phone mount I have the Course permanent mount ( https://coursemotorsports.com/colle...mustang-mustang-gt-gt-350-gt-500-2015-present ). The bracket goes under a radio screw and comes out of the bezel at its edge. A ball mount at the end of the bracket mounts a strong magnet. A steel plate with two sided tape attached to the back of the phone or case.

Not my photos:

 

[Whitemare21]

Congratulations! I have a 2021 myself that I picked up in April. Sitting at only 3300 miles right now but I definitely recommend clear bra. There are already quite a few spots on the front end where I can tell it has saved the paint. Otherwise the cars are trouble-free. Enjoy it!

 

[James1980]

I also have the base radio. I use a ProClip mount. Makes it easy to glance at Waze while driving.
Not as good as the larger screen, but works well enough that I dont feel the need to spend the money to upgrade

https://www.proclipusa.com/products/855096-proclip-center-mount-ford-mustang-2015-20xx

 

[Marketplaza]

Do NOT baby the engine when new. Get on it. Get on it, off it, on it, off it. Heat and pressure bed rings and seals. If you baby it, you'll have an oil burner.

Burning some oil between the first two oil changes is normal, check your oil every 500-1000 miles, but should stop happening at the 3rd oil change or so.

Otherwise, the cars are remarkably trouble-free.

Too bad about the basic radio. I'd start with getting that system replaced with SYNC3.

I got the sync 1 as well. But I don’t use the cars nav anyway. I’ve always used my phone the same way the other guy described. But as for the radio I just added a 12 in sub in the trunk and it now sounds great. I also got alpine speakers all around and it sounds a ton better then the premium factory system, and it cost a ton less.

 

[4FalconRog]

First, how about a picture?
My recommendations/what I did:
Xpel wrap on front. I didn’t add it to the hood
JLT Oil Catch Can for engine longevity
Steeda Stop the Hop starter kit. Very noticeable difference in handling while minimizing the abuse of wheel hop

 

[Rbp_280z]

I appreciate all the replies so far. I found what feels to be a rust spot on my roof.

I have until tomorrow to return the Mustang for my money back. Is this worth returning? What type of repair is done in this case?

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