1996 FORD RANGER tow

214
*
[DR37550(ALL)03/91]
NOTE: The rated capacities (as shown in this guide) for
trailer towing with the factory bumper are only valid
when the trailer hitch ball is installed directly into the
ball hole in the bumper. Addition of bracketry to
either lower the hitch ball position or extend the hitch
ball rearward will significantly increase the loads on
the bumper and its attachments. This can result in the
failure of the bumper or the bumper attachments. Use
of any type of hitch extensions should be considered
abuse.
*
[DR37575(ALL)03/91]
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position a
frame mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
%*
[DR37800(ALL)07/95]
Safety Chains
*
[DR37900(R )12/92]
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and trailer.
Cross chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for
turning corners. Connect safety chains to the vehicle frame or
hook retainers.Never attach chains to the bumper.
%*
[DR38000(ALL)08/95]
Trailer Brakes
*
[DR38100(ALL)03/95]
Separate trailer brakes are required on most towed vehicles
weighing over 1,500 lb (680 kg).
*
[DR38200(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:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

Driving Your Ranger
215
%*
[DR38300(ALL)06/95]
Trailer Lamps
*
[DR38400(ALL)11/89]
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to Federal and local
regulations.
*
[DR38425(ALL)03/91]
Class I and Class II Trailer Tow electrical wiring provides two
circuits (right hand and left hand) to operate trailer stop/turn
tail lamps. Each stop/turn circuit will operate one combination
stop/turn light bulb (# 1157, 3157, 2357, or 3357) on the trailer.
Never add more than one trailer light bulb to one circuit.
*
[DR38450(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage
rating can cause severe wire damage and could start a
fire.
*
[DR38500(ALL)06/95]
Driving while you tow
*
[DR38520(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.
%*
[DR38540(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
[DR38600(ALL)07/95]
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, with a vehicle equipped
with a 4R44E/4R55E transmission, you may wish to operate in
O/D OFF (3rd gear) rather than
j(Overdrive). This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting to maintain
speed. Shift back to
j(Overdrive) whenever practical for
optimum powertrain cooling and fuel economy. This can be
accomplished by pushing in the transmission control switch
which is located on the end of the gearshift lever.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

216
*
[DR38800(ALL)06/95]
When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive
rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift the
automatic transmission gearshift into 2 (Second) gear or 1 (Low).
*
[DR38925(ALL)08/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
*
[DR38950(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.
[DR39000(ALL)08/95]
Trailer towing tips
*
[DR39100(ALL)11/89]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
*
[DR39200(ALL)05/90]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at the
bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
*
[DR39300(ALL)11/89]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
*
[DR39400(ALL)11/89]
For a good handling truck-trailer combination, the trailer tongue
load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
*
[DR39500(ALL)05/95]
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out
on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km)
stop in a protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for
tightness.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

Driving Your Ranger
217
*
[DR39600(ALL)11/89]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
[DR39750(ALL)01/95]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in P (Park) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. If the engine overheats, rotate the
function selector control knob to panel position to stop the
compressor and increase the engine speed for a short time.
*
[DR39800(R )05/90]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
*
[DR39900(ALL)05/90]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
However, if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks
under the trailer's wheels as follows:
*
[DR40000(ALL)05/95]
n
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[DR40100(ALL)11/89]
n
Have another person place the wheel chocks under the
trailer wheels.
*
[DR40200(ALL)08/95]
n
With the chocks in place, release the brake pedal, making
sure the chocks are holding.
*
[DR40300(ALL)03/91]
n
For automatic transmissions Ð apply the parking brake by
pressing the service brake pedal down firmly with your right
foot while applying the parking brake pedal with your left
foot.
[DR40400(ALL)01/95]
n
For manual transmissions Ð apply the service brake and
shift into N (Neutral) while still maintaining pressure on the
service brake pedal. Set the parking brake fully.
*
[DR40500(ALL)12/91]
n
Shift an automatic transmission into Park (P). Put the
gearshift of a manual transmission in Reverse. If your vehicle
is equipped with four-wheel drive make sure the transfer
case is not in Neutral.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

224
[RE04150(ALL)01/95]
It is not recommended that the vehicle be operated in the 4WD
modes with a temporary spare. If 4WD operation is necessary,
do not operate at speeds above 10 mph (16 km/h) or for
distances above 50 miles (80 km). Extended operation in 4WD
with a temporary spare may result in damage to powertrain
components.
*
[RE04200(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.
*
[RE04275(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
*
[RE04280(ALL)10/94]
Extended use of other than matching size spare tires on a
Traction-Lok axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal
driving and should not be noticeable to the driver.
*
[RE04300(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[RE04400(ALL)01/95]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
*
[RE04500(ALL)01/95]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
*
[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
n
tow a trailer.
*
[RE04700(ALL)01/95]
n
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE04800(ALL)01/95]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/95]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
[RE04950(ALL)10/94]
n
engage four-wheel drive on dry, hard-surfaced roads.
File:12unrer.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:53:18 1996

Roadside Emergencies
225
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
n
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.
%*
[RE05100(ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
*
[RE05250(ALL)06/94]
The spare tire for your vehicle is stowed at the rear under the
frame.
[RE13850(R )04/94]
24 pica art:0020284-C
Spare tire stowage
File:12unrer.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:53:18 1996

226
*
[RE13900(R )03/91]
To remove the spare tire:
[RE14000(R )10/94]1.
Use the hex portion of the lug nut wrench to remove the
bolt that fastens the hinge to the channel.
[RE14100(R )10/94]2.
Swing the hinge away and lower the channel.
[RE14200(R )12/91]3.
Unscrew the retaining bolt using the tapered end of the lug
nut wrench through the eye of the bolt.
[RE14300(R )10/94]4.
Slide the spare tire out.
*
[RE14400(R )03/91]
To stow spare tire:
[RE14500(R )10/94]1.
Position spare tire, valve stem down, so it is balanced on the
support.
[RE14600(R )04/89]2.
Replace and tighten retaining bolt using the tapered end of
the lug nut wrench through the eye of the bolt.
[RE14700(R )01/89]3.
Raise channel to hinge and line up the bolt hole.
[RE14800(R )01/89]4.
Install bolt and tighten with the wrench.
[RE14900(R )09/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with P265 75R15 AT tires
or P235 75R15 AT tires do not stow a flat or inflated
full size tire in the spare tire carrier. The carrier is
designed to hold the temporary spare which comes
with your vehicle. The stowage of a full size tire in
the spare tire carrier may damage the tire or the
vehicle. The flat full size tire should be stowed and
tied down in the pickup box bed until it can be
repaired.
*
[RE15100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are
stowed and secured in the proper storage location.
File:12unrer.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:53:18 1996

228
[RE16200(R )08/94]
10-1/2 pica art:0020288-E
Jack handle location and installation
[RE16500(R )01/89]
The jack and lug nut wrench are stowed behind the passenger's
seat. The jack handle is stowed under the hood on the radiator
support.
[RE16600(R )04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0020291-B
Jack stowage
[RE16700(R )04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0020292-B
Jack stowage
File:12unrer.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:53:18 1996