186Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's
bumper. The bumper is not designed to bear the
load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's tires
when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).Using the hitchYour vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. 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.
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.
Connecting the safety chainsAlways attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the hitch
breaks.
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996
202When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the
maximum vehicle load rating listed on the tire
decal.
q
tow a trailer.
q
use tire chains on this tire.
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove
it from its wheel.
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
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.
Spare Tire LocationThe spare tire is stored under the carpet on the
floor of the trunk.
You will find additional instructions for the spare
tire on the warning label located on the wheel and
the jacking instructions located on the spare tire
cover.
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996
241
Information About Tire Quality GradesNew vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded into
the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires
for use on passenger cars. They do not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as
the government has written it.
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction A B CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
File:11fnmc8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:28:32 1996
