1997 FORD EXPEDITION Owners Manual

Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on snow, sand, mud or
other rough terrain and has
operating characteristics that differ
from those of other conventional
vehicles.
When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering motion,
always grip the steering wheel
from the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from road debris such as
rocks or stumps. Be sure to map
out your route before driving in
any off road area.
For more information on driving
off-road and proper operation of
your 4WD vehicle, refer theFour
Wheelingsupplement in your
Owner's Portfolio.
exd_loading_vehicle
Driving
122

LOADING YOUR VEHICLE
It is extremely dangerous
to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In
a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
allow people to ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety
belts. Be sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the
following terms:
²Base curb weight :Weight of the
vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants,
etc. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.
²Payload :Combined maximum
allowable weight of passengers,
cargo and optional equipment.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) Ð
Base curb weight plus the
payload weight. The GVW is not
a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) :Maximum total weight
of the base vehicle, passengers,
optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each
vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Driving
123

Rating):Carrying capacity for
each axle system (front and
rear). The GAWR is specific to
each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver's door.
²GCWR (Gross combined weight
rating ):Maximum combined
weight of the towing vehicle
(including passengers and
cargo) and the trailer. The
GCWR indicates the maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
allowed to tow.
²Maximum trailer weight:
Maximum weight of a trailer the
loaded vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) is
permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the
weight of the loaded towing
vehicle from the GCWR of the
towing vehicle.
²Trailer weight range:Specified
weight range that the trailer
must fall within that ranges from
zero to the maximum trailer
weight rating.
Payload = GVWR minus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weights for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR.
Replacement tires with a higher
Driving
124

weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR or the
GAWR limitations.
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
1000 ft increase in elevation. A
reduction in GVW and GCW is
recommended for maximum
vehicle performance.
Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Driving with a heavy load
The total vehicle weight plus the
total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.
The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.
The weight limits of your vehicle's
tires affect the GVWR or GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle.
exd_driving_heavy_load
exd_luggage_rack
Driving
125

Using the luggage rack if
equipped)
Load luggage at the front crossbar
and adjust the rear crossbar as
necessary.
²Do not exceed 90.7 kg (200 lb)
of luggage if the weight is
placed directly on the crossbars.
²Do not exceed 68 kg (150 lb) of
luggage if the weight is resting
on the roof itself.
²Be sure that the weight is
evenly distributed, particularly
when loading at or near the roof
or luggage rack crossbars
maximum capacity.
To remove the front crossbar:
1. Remove the knurled knobs.
2. Pull the crossbar rearward from
the key slot.
To adjust the rear crossbar:
1. Side lever on each side of the
rack rear locks and unlock the rear
crossbar.
2. The rear crossbar can be
removed by unlocking the levers
and pulling the crossbar rearward.
exd_trailer_towing
Driving
126

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towingin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
Driving
127

Trailer towing table (with heavy duty trailer tow option)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/trailer weights
EngineRear axle
ratioTire sizeMaximum
GCWRTrailer weight
range (0 -
maximum)
(4x2)
4.6 L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)4990 kg
(11000 lb)0-2676 kg
(0-5900 lb)
5.4 L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)5443 kg
(12000 lb)0-3039 kg
(0-6700 lb)
5.4 L 3.7340.6 cm
(16 in)6123 kg
(13500 lb)0-3628 kg
(0-8000 lb)
(4x4)
4.6 L 3.5540.6 cm
(16 in)5216 kg
(11500 kg)0-2766 kg
(0-6100 lb)
4.6 L 3.5543.2 cm
(17 in)4990 kg
(11000 lb)0-2494 kg
(0-5500 lb)
5.4 L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)5443 kg
(12000 lb)0-2902 kg
(0-6400 lb)
5.4 L 3.7340.6 cm
(16 in)6123 kg
(13500 lb)0-3556 kg
(0-7900 lb)
5.4 L 3.7343.2 cm
(17 in)5897 kg
(13000 lb)0-3356 kg
(0-7400 lb)
Maximum frontal area of trailer is 5.6 square meters (60 square feet)
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer toLoading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded trailer when figuring the
total weight.
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
neutral tow kit accessory. Do not
attempt to flat tow your vehicle
Driving
128

with all of the vehicle wheels on
the ground.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of control and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.
If your vehicle is not equipped
with the factory heavy duty trailer
tow option, auxiliary coolers are
recommended for the automatic
transmission system if you are
planning on:
²traveling farther than 80 km (50
miles)
²towing in hilly terrain
²towing frequently
Calculating trailer loads
To determine the amount of weight
that your vehicle can carry:
²Obtain ratings from the Safety
Compliance Certification label
and the trailer towing
specifications in this chapter.
exd_preparing_tow
exd_calculating_load
Driving
129