1998 FORD E SERIES towing

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 load so that only 10 to 15% of the total 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 after any towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
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.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
Driving
74

The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper hasa2270
kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer. Do not
drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any weight on the trailer while
towing on a hot day or in hilly country.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when 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.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule in your
ªService Guideº for more information.
Driving
75

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
changed. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked unless a leak is
suspected.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled maintenance.
²excessive speed.
²rapid acceleration.
²extended idle.
Driving
76

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center. It is
recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle you
have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all
authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this
manual for proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
94

Hood
release lever ..............................96
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........21
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .14
Jump-starting your vehicle ...91,93
attaching cables ........................92
disconnecting cables ................93
Keys
key in ignition chime .................9
Lamps
interior lamps ....................28,124
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............6
brake ............................................6
charging system ..........................8
engine oil pressure .....................9
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon .................6,7
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits
trailer towing ............................69
Lubricant specifications ...........132
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......30
Odometer .....................................12
Overdrive .....................................27
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................31
Parking brake ..............................64
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....129
Power door locks ........................29
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....105
Refill capacities for fluids ........129
Relays .....................................79,84
Remote entry system .................30
illuminated entry .................33,34
locking/unlocking doors ......30,31replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................32
replacing the batteries .............31
Reporting safety defects ..........139
Safety restraints
extension assembly ..................44
for children ...............................49
lap and shoulder belts ...40,41,42
maintenance ..............................45
proper use .................................39
warning light and chime ..9,44,45
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....54
tether anchorage
hardware .........................54,55,57
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual .......34
adjusting the seat, power ........35
bench seat ............................36,37
lumbar support .........................36
quick release rear captain's
chair ......................................38,39
Servicing your vehicle ................95
precautions when servicing .....95
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............3
diesel-powered vehicles .............3
Speed control ..............................22
canceling a set speed ...............25
resuming a set speed ...............25
tap up/tap down ..................23,24
turning off .................................22
Speedometer ...............................10
Starting your vehicle .............59,61
Tilt steering wheel ......................26
Tires ....................................114,115
changing ...............................85,86
checking the pressure ............115
replacing .............................88,117
rotating ....................................115
snow tires and chains ............117
Index
141

treadwear ................................114
Traction-lok rear axle ...............107
Trailer towing ..............................70
tips .............................................76
Transmission .............................106
automatic operation ..65,66,67,68
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................106
Transmission control indictor
light ................................................8
Trip odometer .............................12
Turn signal
lever ...........................................21
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................137Vehicle loading ............................68
Ventilating your vehicle .............62
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......29
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....101
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................113
operation ...................................26
Wrecker towing ...........................94
Index
142