Page 241 of 396
![Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Driving Your Villager
245
*
[DR15700(ALL)01/93]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[DR15800(ALL)09/93]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
*
[DR159 Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Driving Your Villager
245
*
[DR15700(ALL)01/93]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[DR15800(ALL)09/93]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
*
[DR159](/manual-img/33/11176/w960_11176-240.png)
Driving Your Villager
245
*
[DR15700(ALL)01/93]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[DR15800(ALL)09/93]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
*
[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)09/93]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your Villager. The GVWR is
the maximumallowableweight of the vehicle when fully
loaded including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/93]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
*
[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)09/93]
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 each axle system.
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:11vxdrn.ex
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Page 242 of 396
246
*
[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.
*
[DR16900(ALL)05/93]
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
*
[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 Villager
247
*
[DR17100(ALL)07/93]
Calculating the Payload for Your Vehicle
*
[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)02/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0040002-C
Safety Compliance Certification Label location
*
[DR17600(ALL)11/93]2.
Fill the fuel tank.
*
[DR17700(ALL)11/93]3.
Weigh your vehicle without cargo.
*
[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.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996
Page 244 of 396
![Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals 248
[DR17830(ALL)07/93]
Load Calculation Ð (Trailers)
[DR17840(ALL)07/93]
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable trailer
weight and maximum GCWR for vehicles with and without the
traile Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals 248
[DR17830(ALL)07/93]
Load Calculation Ð (Trailers)
[DR17840(ALL)07/93]
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable trailer
weight and maximum GCWR for vehicles with and without the
traile](/manual-img/33/11176/w960_11176-243.png)
248
[DR17830(ALL)07/93]
Load Calculation Ð (Trailers)
[DR17840(ALL)07/93]
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable trailer
weight and maximum GCWR for vehicles with and without the
trailer towing package.
[DR17850(ALL)07/93]
For a particular vehicle, the allowable trailer weight may be
lower depending upon the vehicle's actual gross vehicle weight.
(GVW is the weight of the vehicle including passengers,
equipment, cargo.)
[DR17860(ALL)07/93]
You must determine the appropriate trailer weight for your
vehicle at its particular GVW while adhering to GVWR, GAWR,
GCWR and maximum trailer weight ratings.
[DR17870(ALL)07/95]
n
Fill the fuel tank.
[DR17875(ALL)07/93]
n
Load the vehicle as it would be loaded when towing a
trailer (including cargo, trailer hitch, etc.).
[DR17880(ALL)07/93]
n
Weigh the vehicle to determine its GVW. Do not exceed
GVWR and GAWR.
[DR17885(ALL)07/93]
n
Obtain the appropriate GCWR from the trailer towing table.
[DR17890(ALL)07/93]
n
Subtract the loaded vehicle weight (GVW) from the GCWR.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can pull
given its particular GVW.
File:11vxdrn.ex
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Driving Your Villager
249
%*
[DR18000(ALL)01/93]
Trailer towing table
[DR18050(ALL)11/93]
eight pica
chart:0040244-B*
[DR18080(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.
[DR18090(ALL)07/93]
To determine actual GCW, weigh the total vehicle and trailer
and also weigh the trailer separately to verify its weight.
*
[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).
*
[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.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996
Page 246 of 396
![Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals 250
*
[DR18600(ALL)06/95]
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,
struc Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals 250
*
[DR18600(ALL)06/95]
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,
struc](/manual-img/33/11176/w960_11176-245.png)
250
*
[DR18600(ALL)06/95]
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
*
[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
*
[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.
[DR19100(ALL)02/94]
An optional trailer towing package is available for towing
trailers up to 3,500 lbs. (1587 kg). Use a frame-mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over 2,000 lbs. (907 kg).
*
[DR19200(ALL)01/93]
Do not use single clamp bumper hitches or hitches that attach
to the axle.
*
[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.
*
[DR19400(ALL)04/94]
Safety chains
*
[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.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996
Page 249 of 396
![Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Driving Your Villager
253
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/93]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approac Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Driving Your Villager
253
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/93]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approac](/manual-img/33/11176/w960_11176-248.png)
Driving Your Villager
253
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/93]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
*
[DR21400(ALL)01/93]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
*
[DR21500(ALL)02/94]
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.
[DR21600(ALL)01/93]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air
intake button to select the fresh air position to stop the air
conditioner compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short
time.
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/93]
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:
[DR21800(ALL)04/94]1.
Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
*
[DR21900(ALL)11/93]2.
Have another person place the wheel chocks under the
trailer wheels.
[DR22000(ALL)04/94]3.
With the chocks in place, release the brake pedal, making
sure the chocks are holding.
[DR22100(ALL)04/94]4.
Apply the parking brake by pressing the main brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot while depressing the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.
*
[DR22200(ALL)06/95]5.
Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996
Page 284 of 396
![Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Accessories
289
*
[AC01600(ALL)01/93]
Travel Equipment
[AC01700(ALL)05/95]
Aero Hood Deflector
Bike Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
Four Season Base Roof Rack
Multi Sport Removable Rack
Mult Mercury Villager 1996 Owners Manuals Accessories
289
*
[AC01600(ALL)01/93]
Travel Equipment
[AC01700(ALL)05/95]
Aero Hood Deflector
Bike Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
Four Season Base Roof Rack
Multi Sport Removable Rack
Mult](/manual-img/33/11176/w960_11176-283.png)
Accessories
289
*
[AC01600(ALL)01/93]
Travel Equipment
[AC01700(ALL)05/95]
Aero Hood Deflector
Bike Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
Four Season Base Roof Rack
Multi Sport Removable Rack
Multi Sport Bike Adaptor
Multi Sport Ski/Snowboard Adaptor
Multi Sport Water Sport Adaptor
Ski Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
*
[AC01800(ALL)03/94]
NOTE: When adding accessories, equipment, passengers, and
luggage to your vehicle, do not exceed the total
weight capacity of the vehicle or of the front or rear
axle (GVWR, GAWR as shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your dealer
for specific weight information.
*
[AC01900(ALL)04/94]
NOTE: Devices that emit radio frequency (RF) energy such as
AM/FM radios, mobile communication systems
(two-way radios, telephones) and radio controlled
security systems, are subject to the rules and
regulations of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) 47 CFR Parts 2 and 15. Any such
system installed in your vehicle should comply with
those rules and should be installed only by a
qualified technician. In addition, to insure continued
compliance with the FCC's requirements, RF devices
must not be modified or changed in a manner not
expressly approved by Ford Motor Company.
File:14vxacn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 08:32:34 1996