1998 FORD E SERIES tow

2. Pull the seat latch handle, then
pull the seat toward the right side of
the vehicle to disengage four pins
from the floor mount.
3. Remove the seat.
To install the seats:
Check to see that the seat and seatback is latched securely in
position. Keep floor area free of objects that would prevent
proper seat engagement. Never attempt to adjust the seat while the
vehicle is in motion.
1. Position the seat to the floor
mount.
2. Engage the four pins into the
floor mount hole and push the seat
toward the left side of the vehicle to
fully engage.
3. Pull the seat latch handle downward to lock the seat in position.
4. Make sure the safety belt is not twisted, then insert the seat belt
tongue into detachable anchor until you hear a ªclickº and feel the latch
engage.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Safety restraints precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Seating and safety restraints
39

4. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle for that seating
position until you hear and feel the
latch engage. Make sure the tongue
is latched securely by pulling on it.
5. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and pull
downward until all of the belt is
extracted and a click is heard.
6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it
is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle and
pull up on the shoulder belt while
pushing down with your knee on the
child seat.
PRESS
Seating and safety restraints
53

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal
down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
Driving
66

(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS) on the end of
the gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on the
end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS) on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift
in the
position. The TCIL (the word OFF) will illuminate on the
gearshift lever. Transmission operates in gears one through three.
(Drive) provides more engine braking than(Overdrive) and is
useful when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer
toDriving while you towin theTowing a trailerchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS). The TCIL (the word OFF) will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
OVERDRIVEOFF
OVERDRIVE
Driving
67

1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low)
at higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear, and will
shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed.
VEHICLE LOADING
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.
²Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus 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 Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each
axle system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum combined
weight of 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 Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting 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.
Driving
68

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 trailer 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.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight capacities than the
originals 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.
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 below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
Driving
69

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg (lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area
Of Trailer-m
2
(ft2)
Regular Van E-150
4.2L 3.31 4 082 (9 000) 1 860 (4 100) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 4 536 (10 000) 2 313 (5 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.31 4 990 (11 000) 2 766 (6 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 5 216 (11 500) 2 993 (6 600) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.55 5 443 (12 000) 3 130 (6 900) 5.52 (60)
Regular Van E-250
4.2L 3.73 4 763 (10 500) 2 359 (5 200) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 5 897 (13 000) 3 402 (7 500) 5.52 (60)
Regular Van E-250 HD
4.2L 4.09 4 990 (11 000) 2 586 (5 700) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 5 897 (13 000) 3 402 (7 500) 5.52 (60)
Driving
70

Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg (lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area
Of Trailer-m
2
(ft2)
Super Van E-250
4.2L 3.73 4 763 (10 500) 2 313 (5 100) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 5 897 (13 000) 3 357 (7 400) 5.52 (60)
Super Van E-250 HD
4.2L 4.09 4 990 (11 000) 2 540 (5 600) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 5 897 (13 000) 3 356 (7 400) 5.52 (60)
Regular Van E-350
5.4L 3.55 5 443 (12 000) 2 948 (6 500) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 4.10 5 897 (13 000) 3 402 (7 500) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 3.73 6 804 (15 000) 4 218 (9 300) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 4.10 8 392 (18 500) 4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)3.55 7 258 (16 000) 4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.10 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
Super Van E-350
5.4L 3.55 5 443 (12 000) 2 858 (6 300) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 4.10 5 897 (13 000) 3 311 (7 300) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 3.73 6 804 (15 000) 4 173 (9 200) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 4.10 8 392 (18 500) 4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)3.55 7 258 (16 000) 4 445 (9 800) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.10 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
Club Wagon E-150 (8 passenger)
4.2L 3.31 4 082 (9 000) 1 678 (3 700) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 4 536 (10 000) 2 132 (4 700) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.31 4 990 (11 000) 2 540 (5 600) 5.52 (60)
Driving
71