The owner's manual says to never jack the car by the rear axle as it will cause damage. Jeez, it's a cast iron center with steel tubes...what's to damage as long as you avoid the tin cover? Is the factory just being over-cautious?

Also, my temp gauge reads a little over half-way even in 40°F weather, is this normal? I'm used to seeing newer cars run well below half-way in mild weather.

Last question, about the short drop window feature on the coupe; if the battery goes completely dead for some reason and you need to get inside to access the hood release, will the door still open with the window full up?

 

1. I've used the rear axle before and no problems.

2. I think mines about 1/4 of the way most of the time.

3. You can still open it, it will just move over the rubber seal.

 

OH NO.... You just opened a can of worms....LOL

 

Funny, cuz have you ever noticed the rear pumpkin has indentations where a floor jack can cradle the rear axle? I think Ford says not to use the rear axle as a jacking point to lessen the chance to crack or put stress on the axle housing. If you have a proper floor jack & jack stands, a quick raising of the car and suspending it on jack stands(on the frame rails) promptly most likely won't ever hurt a thing. Yeah, the gauge should read around a 1/3 up. As stated, you have to carefully pry the window seal to allow the window to come free.

 

The needle on the gauge is damped quite a bit. Mine pretty much stays right in the center once it warms up. It doesn't matter if it's a cold day, a hot day, if I'm on the highway, or idling. See where it reads in mild weather. If it is in the same place as it is in cold weather, I wouldn't worry about it.

If you need to open the door without the short drop window feature activating, push in gently on the top of the glass as you open the door.

 

There have been a few reports of bent rear axles but nobody ever fessed up to jacking as the cause. Although it surprised me to see that in the OM, I figure it's better to be safe. There are other ways to jack to the car.

Engine operating temperature shouldn't change regardless of the ambient temp. I'd only be concerned if you suspect that you're overheating.

As stated, just open the door carefully. Afterwards, use the window recalibration procedure in the OM if necessary.