1996 FORD CONTOUR trailer

156
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Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
[DR22150(ALL)01/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not exceed the
maximum load stated on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label attached to the left front door pillar or the left front door
lock facing.
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[DR22250(ALL)01/95]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add the weights of:
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[DR22350(ALL)01/95]
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the driver and passengers
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[DR22400(ALL)01/95]
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luggage and any other items that you put in your vehicle
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[DR22500(ALL)01/95]
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the tongue load of the loaded trailer
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[DR22600(ALL)01/95]
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the weight of any equipment that has been added to your
vehicle since it was delivered to your dealer
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[DR22700(ALL)01/95]
If you do not know the actual weights of these items, use the
following procedure to figure the weight of a load:
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[DR22800(ALL)01/95]1.
Weigh your vehicle without the driver, passengers and
luggage. You might take your vehicle to a shipping company
or an inspection station for trucks.
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[DR22900(ALL)01/95]2.
Then weigh your vehicle with the driver, passengers and
luggage.
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[DR23000(ALL)01/95]3.
Subtract the first reading from the second to figure the total
weight of the load.
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[DR23100(ALL)01/95]
After determining this load, you must also make sure that the
total weight of your vehicle, plus the load it carries, is less than
its GVWR. Also, make sure that the weight your vehicle carries
over each axle is less than the GAWR for the respective axle.
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[DR23200(ALL)01/95]
You can find the GVWR and GAWR on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the left front door lock facing or the door
latch post pillar.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
157
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[DR23300(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds the GAWR for
either axle, shift the load or remove cargo accordingly.
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[DR23400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's load or carrying
weight in excess of the amount shown on the tire decal
can cause rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
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[DR23500(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR23600(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up to a maximum
of 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) gross trailer weight with a maximum
tongue load of 100 lbs (45 kg). It should also have 25 sq. ft.
(2.3 sq. meters) or less frontal area. Do not drive faster than
55 mph (90 km/h) while towing a 1,000 lb. (454 kg) trailer.
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[DR23700(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped to
tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
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[DR23800(ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on your vehicle, you
must follow certain precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle:
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[DR25800(ALL)11/92]
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Stay within the load limits when you tow. (SeeKnowing Your
Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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[DR25900(ALL)01/95]
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Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. (SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
(SeeDriving while you towin this chapter.)
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[DR26100(ALL)01/95]
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

158
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Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be on the
tongue. However, the tongue load should never exceed 10% of
the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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[DR26400(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200 km) before
towing a trailer.
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[DR26500(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limits of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
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[DR26600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is
being used.
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[DR27000(ALL)04/95]
You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
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[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that
all towing equipment is properly attached to your vehicle. If
you are not certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's bumper. The
bumper is not designed to bear the load.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
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Using the hitch
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[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because this type of
hitch places the tongue load of a trailer on the rear wheels of
your vehicle, you must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
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[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and change the
weight on the hitch. This will prevent damage to your vehicle
and make your vehicle easier to handle.
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[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
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[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your vehicle. They
help protect your trailer if the hitch breaks.
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[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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[DR29200(ALL)01/95]1.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to
your vehicle's frame or hook retainers. Never attach the
safety chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not
designed to bear the weight of a trailer.
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[DR29300(ALL)01/95]2.
Make sure that you leave enough slack in the chains to
allow you to turn corners.
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[DR29400(ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental
agency gives you.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

160
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Connecting the trailer's brakes
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[DR29500(ALL)01/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type hydraulic
brakes are safe if you install them properly and adjust them
according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that your
trailer's brakes meet local and federal regulations.
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[DR29600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having
a collision greatly increase.
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[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to
your vehicle's lighting system wiring.To get the proper
equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
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[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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Driving While You Tow
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[DR30000(ALL)05/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer.
Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in
hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR30050(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle and you are towing a
trailer, you should select gear positions which will avoid jerking
or excessive engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in 1
(First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the trailer is too big or
heavily loaded for your vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving
in these two gears while towing a trailer is not recommended.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
161
[DR30100(ALL)11/94]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the manual
transaxle gearshift to a lower gear. This will increase engine
power on upgrades and engine braking on downgrades.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to
1 (First) when descending. This will give more engine braking
on downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear on upgrades.
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[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
[DR30400(ALL)05/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for additional
information.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

168
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[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
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[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set
the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
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[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
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[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire. This spare
tire is smaller than a regular tire and is designed for emergency
use only. Use it only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with the words
ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you can easily identify it.
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[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
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[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
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[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
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exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
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[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
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load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
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[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
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tow a trailer.
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[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
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use tire chains on this tire.
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[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
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try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
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[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
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use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

230
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[SV29372(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until some fluid
has been added if the fluid level is below the bottom
dimple on the dipstick and the outside temperature is
above50ÊF (10ÊC). Addonly enough fluid to bring the
level above the bottom hole.
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[SV29376(ALL)02/95]
If the vehicle has not been driven and the fluid level is above
the bottom dimple on the dipstick, do not add fluid. Recheck
the fluid level after your vehicle has reached normal operating
temperature.
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[SV29378(ALL)05/95]
Normal operating temperature is reached after driving
approximately 20 miles (30 km). The fluid level should be
within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
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[SV29380(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds, driven in city traffic during hot
weather, or has been pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.
[SV29382(ALL)05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001226-A
Automatic transaxle fluid dipstick
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996