1998 FORD EXPEDITION trailer

depending on your vehicle's option
package, but the functions are the
same.
The trip computer only works
when the ignition is in the ON
position. Trip computer features
follow:
Selectable features
English/metric display
Press this control to change the
trip computer display from metric
to English units. Press again to
change from English to metric
units.
Mode control
Each press of the MODE control
will display a different feature as
follows:
Compass display.Refer to
Electronic compassin the
Controls and featureschapter for
more information.
Fuel range.This displays the
approximate number of kilometers
(miles) left to drive before the fuel
tank is empty. The indicated
distance to empty may be
inaccurate:
1. with sustained, drastic changes
in fuel economy (such as trailer
towing), but will eventually
recover.
RESET
E/M MODE
MILES
TO EMPTY
RESET
E/M MODE
MILES
TO EMPTY
Instrumentation
17

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 trailer
chapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode,
press the transmission control
switch. 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.
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
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107

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 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 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.
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116

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.
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117

Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits. If exceeded, cargo should
be removed from the trailer
and/or the vehicle until all
weights are within specified
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while you towin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
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118

If your vehicle is equipped with
the optional heavy duty trailer tow
wiring, it is pre-wired for trailer
towing. An electrical connector is
provided under the instrument
panel for installing a
customer-supplied electric brake
controller. Another electrical
connector is provided at the hitch.
This connector provides power to
the trailer for taillamps, stop and
turn lamps, back up lamps, battery
charge, electric brakes (when a
customer provided controller is
installed) and ground. The kit
included with your vehicle
provides you with adaptors to
attach the brake controller and
convert the hitch connector for
Class I trailer usage.
Trailer towing table (with heavy
duty trailer tow option)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)/trailer weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioTire sizeMaximum
GCWRTrailer weight
range
(0 - maximum)
4x2
4.6L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)4 990 kg
(11 000 lbs.)0-2676 kg
(0-5 900 lbs.)
5.4L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)5 443 kg
(12 000 lbs.)0-3 039 kg
(0-6 700 lbs.)
5.4L 3.7340.6 cm
(16 in)6 123 kg
(13 500 lbs.)0-3 628 kg
(0-8 000 lbs.)
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119

EngineRear
axle
ratioTire sizeMaximum
GCWRTrailer weight
range
(0 - maximum)
4x4
4.6L 3.5540.6 cm
(16 in)5 216 kg
(11 500 lbs.)0-2 766 kg
(0-6 100 lbs.)
4.6L 3.5543.2 cm
(17 in)4 990 kg
(11 000 lbs.)0-2 494 kg
(5 500 lbs.)
5.4L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)5 443 kg
(12 000 lbs.)0-2 902 kg
(0-6 400 lbs.)
5.4L 3.7340.6 cm
(16 in)6 123 kg
(13 500 lbs.)0-3 556 kg
(0-7 900 lbs.)
5.4L 3.7343.2 cm
(17 in)5 897 kg
(13 000 lbs.)0-3 556 kg
(0-7 400 lbs.)
Maximum frontal area of trailer is 5.6 square meters (60 square feet)
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer toVehicle loadingin
this chapter. Remember to figure
in the tongue load of your loaded
trailer when figuring the total
weight.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of control and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
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120

is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
If your vehicle is not equipped
with the factory heavy duty trailer
tow option, auxiliary coolers are
recommended for the automatic
transmission system if you are
planning on:
²traveling farther than 80 km
(50 miles)
²towing in hilly terrain
²towing frequently
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle's bumper or attach to
the axle. You must distribute the
load in your trailer so that 10 to
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a
load equalizing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a
level surface. With the ignition on
and all doors closed, allow the
vehicle to stand for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to OFF.
3. Measure the height of a
reference point on the front and
rear bumpers at the center of the
vehicle.
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