1996 FORD MUSTANG trailer

97
%*
[SC08600( ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
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[SC08800( ALL)06/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can
automatically maintain a constant speed at or
above 30 mph (50 km/h).
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[SC08900( ALL)06/95]
Use of radio transmitting equipment that is not
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or
in Canada the Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
approved may cause the speed control to
malfunction. Therefore, use only properly
installed FCC (CRTC in Canada) approved radio
transmitting equipment in your vehicle.
[SC09000(M )05/95]
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with 5-speed
manual transmission, it may be
preferable to drive in 4 (Fourth) gear in
mountainous areas or at high altitude
to improve speed control performance.
[SC09100(M )12/94]
NOTE: When driving in hilly terrain, at high
elevations, or when pulling a trailer, it
may be desirable to drive with the
transmission in the Overdrive off
mode. This can be done by depressing
the Transmission Control Switch (O/D)
to the right of the transmission gear
selection lever. Driving in this mode
prevents the transmission from shifting
excessively when ascending grades, and
helps maintain speed when going
down steep hills.
*
[SC09200( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using
the speed control. This will cause the
engine to overspeed.
[SC09250( ALL)12/94]
When driving uphill, especially with a heavy
load, significant speed drops may occur. If the
speed drops more than 10 mph (16 km/h) the
automatic speed control will, by design, be
suspended. Some vehicles may require
File:07rcscm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:30:54 1996

193
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[DR17515( ALL)01/95]
q
luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
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[DR17518( ALL)01/95]
q
the tongue load of the loaded trailer
*
[DR17521( ALL)01/95]
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
*
[DR17524( 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:
*
[DR17527( 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.
*
[DR17530( ALL)01/95]
2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
*
[DR17533( ALL)01/95]
3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
*
[DR17536( 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.
*
[DR17539( 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.
*
[DR17542( 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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Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

194
%*
[DR17550(MBC )04/95]
Trailer Towing
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[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.
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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.
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Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

196 %
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[DR21650( ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
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[DR21700( 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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[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
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[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.
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Update:Wed Mar 27 09:33:56 1996

197 %
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[DR22350( ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[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.
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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