Page 107 of 197
between forward and reverse
gears. DO NOT rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
VEHICLE LOADING
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 a 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.
Driving
107
Page 109 of 197

²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:
Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The
maximum trailer weight rating
equals the vehicle curb weight
for each engine/transmission
combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing
and the weight of the driver
from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
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 for 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.
Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
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.
To obtain correct weights, try
taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station
for trucks.
Driving
109
Page 110 of 197

Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
original because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a Class I or
II trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal
to the maximum trailer weight
listed for your engine and rear axle
ratio. See theTrailer towing table
later in this chapter.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
stated on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. Refer to
Vehicle loadingfor a definition of
the terms on the label.
Your vehicle's load capacity is
designated by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Distribute the trailer load 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.
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, axle, brakes,
tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully before and
after any towing operation.
Driving
110
Page 111 of 197

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.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limits of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Calculating the load your
vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find the axle
code number and engine type for
your vehicle.
2. Use the appropriate maximum
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) chart to find the
maximum GCWR for your type
engine and rear axle ratio.
3. Weigh your vehicle as you
customarily operate the vehicle
without cargo. To obtain correct
weights, try taking your vehicle to
a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
4. Subtract your loaded vehicle
weight from the maximum GCWR
on the following charts. This is the
maximum trailer weight your
vehicle can tow and must fall
Driving
111
Page 112 of 197

below the maximum shown under
maximum trailer weight on the
chart.
Trailer Towing Table
4R70W Automatic Transmission
EngineRear
Axle
RatioMaximum
GCWR kg (lb)
1
Maximum
Trailer Weight
kg (lb)
2
Maximum
Frontal Area of
Trailer ft
2-Wheel Drive
5.0L 3.73 4,990 (11,000) 3,039 (6,700) 50
All-Wheel Drive
5.0L 3.73 4,990 (11,000) 2,944 (6,500) 50
1For high altitude operation, reduce GCWR by 2% per 300 meters
(1,000 ft) elevation.
2To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle as equipped, follow the sectionCalculating the load your
vehicle can carry/towearlier in this section.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use or install hitches that
clamp onto the bumper or to the
axle. Underbody hitches are
acceptable if installed properly.
The rear bumper has an integral
hitch and only requires a ball with
a 3/4 inch shank diameter. The
Driving
112
Page 114 of 197
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to Federal
and local regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
the proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.
Do not hook the trailer
lamps directly into the
vehicle's lighting system wiring.
If the trailer lamps are not
installed properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster
may not work properly.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88km/h
(55 mph) while towing a trailer. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h (45
mph) while towing in hilly country
or on hot days.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on very long, steep
grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (3rd gear) rather than
D(Overdrive) while towing up
or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting
and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Driving
114
Page 139 of 197
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
V1Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
V2Windshield washer reservoir
V3Engine oil filler tube
V4Automatic transmission dipstick
V5Brake master cylinder
V6Power distribution box
V7Battery
V8Radiator cap
V9Power steering fluid reservoir
V10Engine oil dipstick
V11Ignition coil packs
V12Air cleaner
3
4
5
6
2
1
1211
108
79
5.0L
V8
Maintenance and care
139
Page 149 of 197

3. Visually inspect the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir.
4. If necessary, add power steering
fluid until the fluid level reaches
MAX. Do not overfill the power
steering reservoir.
²As a maintenance precaution,
visually inspect the lines and
hoses of the power steering
system for leaks and damage.
²If new fluid is frequently
required, consult a qualified
service technician.
²Use fluid certified to meet Ford
Motor Company lubricant
specifications. Refer toRefill
capacitiesandLubricant
specificationslater in this
chapter.
CHECKING AND ADDING
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
Check the automatic transmission
fluid according to the scheduled
intervals in theService Guide.
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is indicated on the
dipstick.
Your vehicle should not be
driven if the fluid level is
below the bottom hole in the
dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
149