1996 FORD MUSTANG tow

191
*
[DR16225( ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
[DR16300(MBC )03/92]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
and reverse gears. At the same time, press
lightly on the accelerator.
*
[DR16400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
[DR16500( ALL)12/94]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transmission, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR16700( ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR16800( ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR16900( ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR17000( ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

192
%*
[DR17100( ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR17200( ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
% [DR17300( ALL)05/94]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or the door latch
post pillar.
*
[DR17400( ALL)08/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR17500( ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label
is exceeded, your vehicle may be damaged
or you may lose control and injure
someone.
%*
[DR17503( ALL)01/95]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
*
[DR17506( ALL)01/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the
left front door pillar.
*
[DR17509( ALL)01/95]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
*
[DR17512( ALL)01/95]
q
the driver and passengers
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

194
%*
[DR17550(MBC )04/95]
Trailer Towing
*
[DR17650( 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.
*
[DR17700( 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:
*
[DR17800( ALL)01/95]
q
Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (SeeTrailer towing specificationsin this
chapter.)
*
[DR17900( ALL)01/95]
q
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.)
*
[DR18000( ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[DR18100( ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
*
[DR18175( ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR18250( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary
spare tire is being used.
[DR18300( ALL)12/94]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the optional equipment
on your vehicle. See the following chart.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

195 % [DR18400( ALL)03/90]
Trailer towing specifications
[DR18450(M )03/95]
six pica chart:0010320-C*
[DR20900( ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
*
[DR21000( 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.
*
[DR21100( ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
*
[DR21125( ALL)01/95]
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
%*
[DR21150( ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
*
[DR21200(MBC )01/95]
Your vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. 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
only 10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer
is on the tongue.
*
[DR21600( 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.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

196 %
*
[DR21650( ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[DR21700( ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
*
[DR21800( ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[DR21900( 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.
*
[DR22000( ALL)01/95]
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
*
[DR22100( ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
%*
[DR22150( ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[DR22200( 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.
[DR22250( ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
trailer tow package, provisions have been made
under the instrument panel for installation of an
electronic brake controller.
*
[DR22300( 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.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

197 %
*
[DR22350( ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[DR22400( 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.
[DR22450( ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
trailer tow package, the proper lamp wiring and
equipment has been installed at the factory. The
trailer feed wire (supplied in a box in the
luggage compartment) needs a connector
compatible with your trailer prior to installation.
*
[DR22500( ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting
system.
%*
[DR22600( ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
*
[DR22650( 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.
[DR22950(MBC )09/93]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

198 [DR22955(M )05/95]If your vehicle has a manual transmission 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.
[DR22960(M )08/93]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the
manual transmission gearshift to a lower gear.
This will increase engine power on upgrades
and engine braking on downgrades.
%*
[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
*
[DR23100( ALL)08/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
*
[DR23200( 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 theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:10rcdrm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

206
*
[RE04400( ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[RE04500( ALL)01/95]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[RE04600( ALL)01/95]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[RE04700( ALL)01/95]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[RE04800( ALL)01/95]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE04900( ALL)01/95]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[RE05000( ALL)01/95]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[RE05100( ALL)01/95]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
%*
[RE05500( ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
[RE05600( ALL)11/90]
The spare is stored in the trunk.
File:12rcrem.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:34:49 1996