1996 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

Driving Your Windstar
247
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[DR10200(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
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[DR10300(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
[DR10400(ALL)02/95]
n
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads.
*
[DR10500(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not quickly move the steering wheel unless necessary.
*
[DR10600(ALL)01/93]
n
Drive more slowly than you would normally.
[DR10650(ALL)02/95]
n
Do not use speed control.
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[DR10700(ALL)01/95]
n
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR10800(ALL)01/93]
n
Use the ªsqueezeº technique for braking as described in
previous braking sections.
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[DR10900(ALL)02/93]
n
Consider using one of the lower gears.
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[DR11000(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control on slippery roads,
do not downshift into 1 (First) when you are moving
faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
*
[DR11100(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
The Anti-Lock Brake System may not prevent brake
lock-up on extremely slippery surfaces.
%*
[DR11200(ALL)01/95]
High water
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[DR11300(ALL)05/90]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel hubs.
*
[DR11400(ALL)01/93]
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.
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248
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[DR11500(ALL)01/93]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly to help dry
the brakes.
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[DR11600(ALL)01/93]
Rocking the Vehicle
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[DR11700(ALL)01/93]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or snow), you
may rock it out. Shift in a steady rhythm between forward and
reverse gears. At the same time, press lightly on the accelerator.
If you are still stuck after a few minutes of rocking, call for a
tow truck.
[DR11750(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control,
make sure the system has been turned off before
attempting to rock the vehicle.
[DR11775(ALL)04/95]
SeeTraction Control Off Lightin theLights and Gaugessection of
this guide for more information.
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[DR11800(ALL)01/93]
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may
overheat the engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires.
%*
[DR11900(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[DR12000(ALL)01/93]
The Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the
driver's door pillar, provides important information regarding
the weight limits your vehicle can safely carry or tow. The total
weight of your vehicle, including 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 on
the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle.
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[DR12100(ALL)01/93]
The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than the originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Using lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
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Driving Your Windstar
249
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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.
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[DR12300(ALL)01/93]
Vehicle/Trailer Loads
[DR12400(ALL)06/94]
Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kgs)
or 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kgs) with Trailer Tow Package provided the
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is less than the GVWR shown on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
%*
[DR12500(ALL)04/95]
Towing a Trailer
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[DR12600(ALL)01/93]
Towing a trailer puts an additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your
safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right equipment
for the type of trailer you tow.
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[DR12700(ALL)02/92]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
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[DR12800(ALL)01/93]
n
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. SeePreparing to Towin this section.
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[DR12900(ALL)01/93]
n
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
*
[DR13000(ALL)01/93]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
*
[DR13100(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
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250
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Vehicle Loading Information
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[DR13800(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not
volume, so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, rim sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
The certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's
door opening.
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[DR13900(ALL)01/93]
Each additional item of equipment affects how much cargo a
vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is overloaded, performance will
suffer and service concerns may arise.
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[DR14200(ALL)01/93]
NOTE: The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and
rear GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The
GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR
when added together.
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[DR14500(ALL)01/93]
Understanding Loading Information
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There are five terms that are used to describe a vehicle's ability
to carry a load:
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[DR14700(ALL)01/93]
n
Base Curb Weight
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[DR14800(ALL)01/93]
n
Payload
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[DR14900(ALL)01/93]
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GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
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[DR15000(ALL)01/93]
n
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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[DR15100(ALL)01/93]
n
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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[DR15200(ALL)06/92]
n
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[DR15300(ALL)01/93]
Base Curb Weight
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[DR15400(ALL)04/95]
The base curb weight is the weight of the vehicle including fuel,
coolants, lubricants, emergency tools and spare wheel and tire.
It also includes any equipment that is standard. It does not
include passengers, cargo or optional equipment installed by
factory, dealer, aftermarket supplier or customer.
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Driving Your Windstar
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Payload
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[DR15600(ALL)07/93]
Maximum payload is the combined, maximum allowable weight
of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is
designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the base curb weight.
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[DR15700(ALL)01/93]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
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[DR15800(ALL)09/93]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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[DR15900(ALL)12/93]
It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or a
specification, but actual weight. If an owner loads up the vehicle
and weighs it, that's the GVW at that moment. If the owner
adds on more of a load and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW.
%*
[DR16000(ALL)03/91]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
[DR16100(ALL)06/94]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your vehicle. The GVWR is the
maximum allowable weight of the vehicle when fully loaded
including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/93]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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[DR16300(ALL)01/93]
We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded down in the
rear and riding high in the front. This is a dangerous condition
that usually means that the rear suspension components are
under severe strain and that vehicle handling is impaired. There
is more to carrying a load than just payload or GVWR.
[DR16400(ALL)12/93]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
which is the maximum weight allowed on the axle system.
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252
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The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is why
it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and can lead to
shortened service life or outright failure.
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[DR16600(ALL)01/93]
The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific tire pressure.
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[DR16700(ALL)01/93]
When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
*
[DR16800(ALL)01/93]
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight
of your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
includes full fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as
well as the cargo load.
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[DR16900(ALL)05/93]
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
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[DR17000(ALL)01/93]
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and
passengers).
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Driving Your Windstar
253
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Calculating the Payload for Your Vehicle
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[DR17200(ALL)03/91]
To know how much weight your vehicle can carry:
*
[DR17300(ALL)11/93]1.
Obtain the GVWR and GAWR from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
[DR17500(ALL)08/93]
Ð If you do not plan to pull a trailer, do not include these
ratings into your calculations.
*
[DR17600(ALL)11/93]2.
Fill the fuel tank.
*
[DR17700(ALL)11/93]3.
Weigh your vehicle without cargo.
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[DR17800(ALL)11/93]4.
Subtract vehicle actual weight from the GVWR to find out
how much more weight your vehicle can carry.
*
[DR17810(ALL)04/94]5.
Weigh the vehicle again once it is loaded to make sure that
the GVWR and front and rear GAWR's are not exceeded.
%*
[DR18000(ALL)01/93]
Trailer towing table
[DR18050(ALL)08/94]
eight pica
chart:0050061-C[DR18100(ALL)11/93]
If you suspect that your payload is excessive, have your vehicle
weighed at a highway weight station or another appropriate
commercial facility. Fill the fuel tank. Weigh the total vehicle
and trailer (if applicable), then separately weigh the vehicle at
the front and rear wheels. Finally, weigh the trailer separately if
applicable.
*
[DR18200(ALL)01/93]
Trailers
*
[DR18300(ALL)01/93]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper weight on the
tongue (usually 10-15% of the trailer weight).
*
[DR18400(ALL)07/93]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds either GAWR, shift
the load or remove cargo accordingly.
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Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996