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To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives you.
Connecting the trailer's brakes
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.
Separate trailer brakes of adequate size should be
used for trailers weighing over 1.000 lbs. (454 kg)
loaded weight./!\ WARNINGDo not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to your vehicle'sbrake system. Your vehicle may nothave enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.Connecting the trailer's lights
Do not connect a trailer's fighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's fighting
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.
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's hghting
system.
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Driving While You Tow
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.
Towing a trailer increases the load on the engine and
transaxle, particularly in hilly country and with
heavier trailers. Under these conditions you may
experience an excessive amount of shifting between
Overdrive and Third gears. Moving the shift selector
to D (Overdrive Lockout) will keep this from
happening and will provide better engine braking.
When driving in less hilly country or with a lighter
trailer load. you may move the gearshift selector
lever to (Overdrive) without experiencing
excessive shifting.
198When driving down steep hills, you should put
the gearshift selector lever in the I (First)
position to shift the transaxle into second gear.
This will provide additional engine braking.
The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear for driving up a
grade.
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. See the Maintenance Schedule and
Record booklet.
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/! WARNINGBatteries contain sulfuric acid which bumsskin, eyes, and clothing.If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15
minutes. If someone swallows the acid, have him or
her drink lots of milk or water first, then Milk of
Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and
to avoid injury to yourself, follow these directions
for preparing your vehicle to jump-start and
connecting the jumper cables in the order they are
given. If in doubt, call for road service.
200Preparing Your Vehicle
1 .Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system. You
will damage your starting motor, ignition system,
and other electrical parts if you connect them to a
24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series,or a 24-volt generator set).
2.Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
3.Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehicles do not
touch each other. Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan
and other moving parts.
4.Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the jumper
cables.
Page 207 of 320

Changing a Tire
if you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not
apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease
the speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and
slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set the
parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
The Temporary Spare Tire
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only. Use it only when
you get a flat tire and replace it as soon as you can.
This spare tire is marked with the words
"TEMPORARY USE ONLY" so that you can easily
identify it.
204/! WARNINGIf you use the temporary spare tirecontinuously or do not follow theseprecautions, the tire could fail, causing you tolose control of the vehicle, possibly injuringyourself or others.When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT: exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances. load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the
maximum vehicle load rating listed on the tire
decal. tow a trailer. try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel. use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
Page 209 of 320
To remove the spare tire:
1.Remove the spare tire cover.
2.Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the spare
tire.
3. Lift out the spare tire and jack kit.
Preparing to Change the Tire
1.Make sure that your vehicle will not move or
roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing./! WARNINGIf the vehicle slips off the jack, you orsomeone else could be seriously injured.Turn off the air suspension switch prior to jacking.
206/! WARNINGOn vehicles equipped with Air Suspension,turn OFF the Air Suspension switch prior tojacking, hoisting or towing your vehicle.Air suspension switchThe air suspension switch - located in the trunk
Page 235 of 320

Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle. Here are some general precautions
for your safety: Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly. Always
turn the engine off and let it cool./!\ WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan. If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair. Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space
with the engine running, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation. Never get under a vehicle while it is supported by a
jack only. If you must work under a vehicle, use
safety stands. Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
“relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly. To find out how the engine does this,
see Battery in this chapter.
Working with the engine off.
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2.Remove the key from the ignition after you turn
the engine off.
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3.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on:
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly./! WARNINGDo not start your engine with the aircleaner removed and do not remove it whilethe engine is running./! WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan.234If the battery is disconnected' the computer must
releam its idle control. See Battery in the Index.
NOTE: The engine compartment light may be
switched on or off at the light assembly. The light
assembly is located on the hood on the driver's side.
To turn the light on, pull the switch toward you; to
turn it off, push it away from you. The switch may
remain in the on position at all times, as the light will
turn off when the hood is closed.
Opening the Hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release handle
located under the bottom left comer of the
instrument panel.
Page 245 of 320

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of
your vehicle and can be calculated as Miles Per
Gallon (MPG) or liters Per 100 Kilometers (L/
100K).
Do not calculate fuel economy during your vehicle's
break-in period. This would not be an accurate
estimate of how much fuel your vehicle will
normally use.
Tocalculate fuel economy:
I .Fill the tank completely and record the initial
odometer reading.
2.Every time you buy fuel record the amount (in
gallons or liters) purchased.
3.After at least three to five tankfuls, fill the fuel
tank and record the final odometer reading.
4. Use these equations to calculate your fuel
economy. English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used). Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
Comparisons With EPA Fuel Economy
Estimates
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and
may not reflect the actual conditions you experience
or your style of driving. The EPA fuel economy
estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve the
fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy: Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance Rapid acceleration and excessive speed Driving with your foot on the brake Sudden stops Extended engine idling
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