1996 Mercury Grand Marquis trailer

118
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[SC08600( ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
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[SC08800( ALL)03/95]
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)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.
[SC09150( BCGV)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 on
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.
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[SC09200( ALL)03/95]
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
temporary resumption of manual speed control
while ascending steep grades in order to
maintain the selected speed.
File:rcscg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:51 1996

187
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To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
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[DR17512( ALL)01/95]
q
the driver and passengers
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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
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[DR17521( ALL)01/95]
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
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[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:
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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.
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[DR17530( ALL)01/95]
2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
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[DR17533( ALL)01/95]
3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
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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.
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[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.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

188
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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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[DR17600( GV)01/95]
Trailer Towing (may require
trailer tow option package)
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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.
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[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:
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[DR17800( ALL)01/95]
q
Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (SeeTrailer towing specificationsin this
chapter.)
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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.)
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q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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[DR18100( ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

189
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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.
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[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.
% [DR18400( ALL)03/90]
Trailer towing specifications
[DR18650( G )05/95]
ten pica chart:0010322-DFile:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

190
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Preparing to Tow
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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.
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Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
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Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
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Using the hitch
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[DR21300( G )05/95]
Your vehicle uses one of two types of hitches,
depending on how much your trailer weighs.
The Class I hitch will allow you to tow a trailer
weighing up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg.). 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.
*
[DR21400( G )05/95]
A Class III hitch and the optional trailer tow III
package will allow you to tow a trailer weighing
up to 5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg.). This type of hitch
distributes the tongue load of a trailer evenly
between the front and rear wheels of your
vehicle and the trailer wheels.
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[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:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

191
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Hook-Up and Adjustment Procedure Ð
Load Equalizing Hitch
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[DR21610( GV)01/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear air
suspension system. When hooking up a trailer
using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
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[DR21615( GV)01/95]
1. Place the unloaded vehicle on a level
surface. With the ignition on and all doors
closed, allow the vehicle to level
automatically (approximately one to two
minutes).
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2. Turn the air suspension switch on the right
side of the trunk to OFF.
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[DR21625( GV)01/95]
3. Measure the height of a reference point on
the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
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4. Attach trailer to vehicle and adjust the hitch
equalizer(s) so that the front bumper height
is 0 to 1/2 inch below the unloaded height.
After adjustment, the rear bumper should be
no higher than in step 3.
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[DR21635( GV)01/95]
5. Turn the air suspension switch ON.
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[DR21640( GV)01/95]
RWARNING
Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear
bumper of the vehicle is lower or higher
than it was unloaded will defeat the
function of the load equalizing hitch and
may cause unpredictable handling.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

192 %
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Connecting the safety chains
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Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
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To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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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.
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2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
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If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
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Connecting the trailer's brakes
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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.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

193
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[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.
%*
[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.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996