Driving
235
%*
[GF10400(ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
[GF10500(ALL)01/96]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your vehicle. The GVWR is the
maximum allowable weight of the vehicle when fully loaded
including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
%*
[GF10600(ALL)01/96]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
*
[GF10700(ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF10800(ALL)01/96]
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 the axle system.
*
[GF10900(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF11000(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF11100(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF11200(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:09wngfs.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 11:01:42 1996
Maintenance and Care
303
[MC16700(ALL)07/96]
Wiper Blade Replacement
*
[MC16800(ALL)01/96]
If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them,
you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly. When
replacing the wiper blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent.
*
[MC16900(ALL)08/95]
To replace the wiper blades:
*
[MC17000(ALL)01/96]1.
Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield and into the
lock position.
[MC17100(ALL)01/96]2.
Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper arm. Squeeze the
lock tabs of the plastic clip together to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield to remove
it from the arm.
*
[MC17200(ALL)08/95]3.
Attach a new wiper blade to the wiper arm and press it into
place until you hear it click.
%*
[MC17300(ALL)01/96]
Tires
[MC17400(ALL)04/96]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
[MC17500(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures. See
Checking the pressure of the tireslater in this chapter.
*
[MC17600(ALL)01/96]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
*
[MC17700(ALL)03/96]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[MC17800(ALL)03/96]
n
Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[MC17900(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996
Maintenance and Care
317
*
[MC28400(ALL)01/96]
Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Fuel Economy Estimates
[MC28500(ALL)01/96]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and therefore are estimates
which may not reflect the actual conditions you experience. The
tests also do not exactly duplicate your personal style of
driving, including all your stops, starts, and lane changes. Other
factors that may affect fuel economy include using the air
conditioning, driving speed, vehicle load and tire inflation
pressure. The EPA fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee
that you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
%*
[MC28600(ALL)01/96
]
Improving Fuel Economy
[MC28700(ALL)01/96]
You can improve the fuel economy for your vehicle in three
ways:
[MC28800(ALL)07/96]1.
Maintain your vehicle effectively. A well-tuned, properly
maintained vehicle gives you better fuel economy. Follow the
schedules for maintaining your vehicle that are in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet.
[MC28900(ALL)04/96]2.
Drive your vehicle efficiently. Change your driving habits to
conserve fuel:
[MC29000(ALL)04/96]
n
Do not drive with your foot on the brake.
[MC29100(ALL)04/96]
n
Watch traffic so that you do not have to stop suddenly.
[MC29200(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not accelerate suddenly. Drive at a steady speed
whenever you can.
[MC29300(ALL)04/96]
n
Do not let the engine idle for a long time.
[MC29400(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not carry loads that are too heavy. To find out the limits
for the loads that your vehicle can carry, seeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996
318
[MC29500(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep the tires properly inflated. To find out the
recommended tire pressure, seeChecking the pressure of the
tireslater in this chapter.
[MC29600(ALL)01/96]
n
Use your air conditioning system wisely. To find out about
fuel economy and air conditioning, seeClimate control systems
in the Index.
[MC29700(ALL)01/96]
In addition to your individual driving habits, optional
equipment, such as air conditioning, can have a significant effect
on fuel economy. Various aftermarket add-on items that increase
aerodynamic drag can also reduce fuel economy.
%*
[MC29800(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC29900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
*
[MC30000(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
*
[MC30100(ALL)01/96]
n
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC30200(ALL)01/96]
n
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC30300(ALL)01/96]
n
Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
[MC30400(ALL)07/96]
n
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule. The scheduled
maintenance services are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of your
vehicle and to its emission system.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996
338
%*
[CS03200(ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
*
[CS03300(ALL)01/96]
n
Protect your vehicle against freezing temperatures.
%*
[CS03400(ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS03500(ALL)01/96]
n
Check and recharge the battery as necessary.
*
[CS03600(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
%*
[CS03700(ALL)01/96]
Brakes
*
[CS03800(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure the brakes and parking brake are fully released.
%*
[CS03900(ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[CS04000(ALL)01/96]
n
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[CS04100(ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
*
[CS04200(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis pins under
the vehicle are covered with grease to prevent rust.
*
[CS04300(ALL)01/96]
n
Lubricate working parts to prevent corrosion.
File:12wncss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 11:01:58 1996
385
Index
Storing your vehicle.................. 336
Supplemental air bag readiness light........... 17
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).......... 180
T
Tachometer....................... 32
Tail lamps
bulb replacement................324, 328
cleaning...................... 331
Temperature control (see Climate control)......... 81
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints)...... 211
Tilt steering wheel................... 109
Tires
changing...................... 259
checking the pressure................ 303
cleaning...................... 332
inspection and maintenance............. 303
replacing...................... 305
rotating...................... 304
snow tires and chains................ 308
storing your vehicle................. 338
tire grades...................305, 307
treadwear...................305, 307
wear bands..................... 305
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).......... 246
Towing your vehicle
using wheel dollies................. 278
with a tow truck.................. 278
Traction control.................... 227
Trailer towing
tips........................ 239
trailer lamps.................... 238
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Thu Aug 1 08:57:39 1996