1996 FORD WINDSTAR trailer

Steering Column Controls
137
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[SC05000(ALL)03/95]
To change the position of the steering column:
[SC05100(ALL)02/95]1.
Make sure your vehicle is stopped.
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[SC05200(ALL)03/95]2.
Pull the tilt release lever on the column toward you.
[SC05300(ALL)02/95]3.
Tilt the steering wheel up or down until you find the best
position for you.
[SC05400(ALL)02/95]4.
Release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
[SC05500(ALL)02/95]
Be sure the steering wheel is locked in place. It can only be
adjusted to specific positions. Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is in motion.
%*
[SC05600(ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
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[SC07500(ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can automatically
maintain a constant speed at or above 30 mph (50 km/h).
[SC07515(ALL)05/95]
When driving in hilly terrain, at high elevations, or when
pulling a trailer, it may be desirable to drive in the Overdrive
Lockout mode. This can be done by depressing the O/D button
on the end of the gearshift lever. Driving in this mode helps
prevent excessive transaxle shifting and helps speed control to
maintain speed when going down steep hills.
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[SC07530(ALL)05/95]
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.
[SC07560(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using the speed
control. This will cause the engine to overspeed.
File:wnscs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:22:27 1996

Steering Column Controls
139
[SC09010(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: On a downhill grade, if your speed increases above
your set speed while driving inj(Overdrive) on a
downhill grade, you may want to downshift to Third
(3) gear to reduce vehicle speed. To do this, push the
Overdrive ON/OFF button on the end of the gearshift
lever. The OVERDRIVE OFF lamp will illuminate
when you press the switch.
[SC09020(ALL)05/95]
You may want to drive in 3 (Third) when driving in hilly
terrain, at high altitudes, or when pulling a trailer. This will
improve speed control performance.
[SC09030(ALL)06/94]
NOTE: When driving uphill, especially with a heavy load,
you may notice your speed decreasing even if you
have the speed control set. If the speed drops more
than 8 to 14 mph (13-23 km/h) it is normal for the
automatic speed control feature to be cancelled. You
may need to use the accelerator pedal to help your
vehicle maintain the selected speed when driving up
steep grades.
*
[SC09100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
[SC09200(ALL)09/93]
Accelerating With the Speed Control On
[SC09300(ALL)03/94]
If you want to speed up momentarily, or regain preset speed on
hills when the speed control is on, accelerate using the
accelerator pedal. Manually accelerating to a higher speed does
not interfere with the speed control. When you take your foot
off the accelerator, your vehicle returns to the set speed.
File:wnscs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:22:27 1996

Driving Your Windstar
249
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[DR12200(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.
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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.
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[DR13000(ALL)01/93]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
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[DR13100(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996

252
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[DR16500(ALL)01/93]
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.
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[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).
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996

Driving Your Windstar
253
%*
[DR17100(ALL)07/93]
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.
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[DR17700(ALL)11/93]3.
Weigh your vehicle without cargo.
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996

254
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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.
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[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.
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[DR18200(ALL)01/93]
Trailers
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[DR18300(ALL)01/93]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper weight on the
tongue (usually 10-15% of the trailer weight).
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[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.
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996

Driving Your Windstar
255
*
[DR18500(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.
*
[DR18600(ALL)05/95]
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.
*
[DR18700(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR18800(ALL)05/93]
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 dealer or a reliable trailer dealer.
%*
[DR18900(ALL)01/93]
Hitches
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[DR19000(ALL)01/93]
For towing trailers up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg), use a good
weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes
the trailer tongue load through the underbody structure.
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[DR19200(ALL)01/93]
Do not use single clamp bumper hitches or hitches that attach
to the axle.
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[DR19300(ALL)01/93]
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure
all mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996

256
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[DR19400(ALL)04/94]
Safety chains
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[DR19500(ALL)01/93]
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.
%*
[DR19600(ALL)01/93]
Trailer Brakes
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[DR19700(ALL)01/93]
Separate trailer brakes are required on most trailers weighing
over 1,500 lbs. (680 kg).
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[DR19800(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.
%*
[DR19900(ALL)01/93]
Trailer Lamps
*
[DR20000(ALL)01/93]
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to federal and local
regulations.
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[DR20100(ALL)01/93]
Class I 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.
File:wndrs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:18:48 1996