1997 FORD AEROSTAR tow

196 %
*
[GF38540(ALL)05/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[GF38600(ALL)05/96]
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, with a
vehicle equipped with an automatic overdrive
transmission, you may wish to operate in Drive
(by cancelling Overdrive with OVERDRIVE OFF
button) rather thanj(Overdrive). This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting
to maintain speed. Switch back to Overdrive
whenever practical for optimum powertrain
cooling. This can be accomplished by pushing in
the switch located on the end of the indicator
lever.
*
[GF38800(ALL)03/96]
When descending a steep grade with a trailer,
operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If
additional braking is needed, shift the automatic
transmission gearshift into the 2 (Second) or 1
(Low) position.
[GF38925(ALL)01/96]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[GF38950(ALL)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
*
[GF39000(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
*
[GF39100(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
*
[GF39200(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

197
*
[GF39300(ALL)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,
whether manually or automatically controlled,
when approaching a stop.
*
[GF39400(ALL)01/96]
For a good handling truck-trailer combination,
the trailer tongue load should be approximately
10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
*
[GF39500(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF39600(ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs or other obstructions.
*
[GF39725(ALL)01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time
in hot weather, place the gearshift selector lever
in P (PARK) to increase the engine idle speed.
This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, move the
function selector knob to VENT to stop the
compressor and increase the engine speed for a
short time.
*
[GF39800(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a
temporary spare tire.
*
[GF39900(ALL)01/96]
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:
*
[GF40000(ALL)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF40100(ALL)01/96]
q
Have another person place the wheel chocks
under the trailer wheels.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

208
*
[ER00450(ALL)01/96]
To remove and replace a fuse, use the fuse
puller provided.
[ER00455(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0030248-B
The side view of a fuse
*
[ER00460(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has
the specified amperage rating. Using a
fuse with a higher amperage rating can
cause severe wire damage and could start
a fire.
[ER00470(ALL)01/96]
Access to the trailer tow fuse is through the rear
most storage compartment in the side trim
panel. This is on the left for all Aerostar models.
[ER00475(ALL)01/96]
1. Remove the screws located inside the
compartment and take off the access hole
cover.
[ER00480(ALL)01/96]
2. Reach in through access hole to remove
fuses. The fuses are located on the side of
the bracket assembly.
[ER00485(ALL)01/96]
3. Replace fuses with standard push-in fuses
(plug type).
[ER00490(ALL)01/96]
4. Reinstall compartment back and screw into
place.
*
[ER00500(ALL)04/96]
Even after you replace a fuse, it may continue to
blow if you do not find what caused the
overload. If the fuse continues to blow, have
your electrical system checked.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

211
*
[ER04300(ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[ER04400(ALL)02/96]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[ER04500(ALL)02/96]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[ER04600(ALL)02/96]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[ER04700(ALL)02/96]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[ER04800(ALL)02/96]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[ER04900(ALL)02/96]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[ER05000(ALL)02/96]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
%*
[ER05100(ALL)02/96]
Spare Tire Location
[ER05200(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle is a standard length van model,
the spare tire is mounted inside a carrier at the
left rear quarter panel. To remove the spare tire,
remove the wing nut and plate. A flat tire can
be temporarily stowed in the same location.
[ER05300(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020264-A
A side mounted spare tire
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

212 [ER05400(ALL)01/96]If your vehicle is the model with a standard
length body or extended length (all models), the
temporary spare tire is stowed at the rear of the
vehicle under the body.
[ER05450(ALL)01/96]
The standard length E-4WD model spare tire is
mounted on the floor.
[ER05500(ALL)01/96]
To remove underbody temporary spare tire:
[ER05600(ALL)01/96]
1. Insert lug nut wrench into the actuator hole
and turn counterclockwise until the cable
extends to allow the spare tire to be pulled
rearward from under the vehicle.
[ER05700(ALL)04/96]
2. Slide the spare tire to the rear and remove
the retainer from the wheel.
[ER05800(ALL)01/96]
3. To stow cable/retainer with spare tire
removed, insert cable fitting into carrier rear
wall slot, place wheel retainer against the
carrier, and turn lug nut wrench clockwise
until slack is removed.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

213 [ER05900(ALL)01/96]
three fourths page art:0020265-A
Temporary spare tire location and assembly
[ER06000(ALL)01/96]
To stow underbody temporary spare tire:
[ER06100(ALL)01/96]
1. Insert lug nut wrench into the actuator hole
and turn counterclockwise until the
cable/retainer is extended for insertion into
the wheel.
[ER06200(ALL)04/96]
2. Install the retainer through wheel center
with valve stem facing up.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

214 [ER06300(ALL)01/96]3. Rotate wrench clockwise until tire is secured.
(Raising mechanism will slip.)
[ER06400(ALL)04/96]
4. Check for proper seating against underbody
supports and retighten if necessary.
[ER06500(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0020266-B
Spare tire Ð underbody carrier
[ER06600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not stow any conventional spare tire
or flat temporary spare tire in the
underbody position. Doing so may cause
damage to the tire, rear axle, or brake
lines. (Standard length only)
[ER06800(ALL)01/96]
A flat tire can be temporarily secured to the
floor pan under the rear-most seat. To
temporarily secure a flat tire:
[ER06900(ALL)01/96]
1. Remove the spare tire ªJº bolt, plate and
wing nut from their stowed location on the
jack.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

215 [ER07000(ALL)01/96]
2. Position the flat tire, valve stem up, under
the rear-most seat and over the ªJº bolt
attaching bracket on the floor pan.
[ER07100(ALL)01/96]
3. Insert the ªJº hook bolt through the center of
the wheel and hook on bracket.
[ER07200(ALL)01/96]
4. Install plate over ªJº hook bolt and secure
with wing nut.
[ER07300(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020267-A
A Stowed position of ªJº bolt, plate and wing nut
(Standard length model)
[ER07400(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0020268-A
Flat tire stowage (Standard length model)
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996