1999 FORD WINDSTAR tow

TRAILER TOWING TABLE
Engine Maximum GCWRTrailer weight range
(0 - maximum)
Va n
3.0L 2 971 kg (6 550 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
3.8L 3 175 kg (7 000 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
Wagon
3.0L 2 971 kg (6 550 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
3.8L 3 175 kg (7 000 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
3.8L with
Trailer Tow
Option3 856 kg (8 500 lbs.) 0-1 588 kg (0- 3 500 lbs.)
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 is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10% of
the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Driving
163

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.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
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.
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. Ensure that your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal Regulations.
Do not splice or modify the vehicle electrical wiring or lamps for
trailer towing.
Your vehicle uses an advanced electronic module with ground side
switching to control and monitor your vehicle lamps. Splicing into the
wiring or attaching wiring to the vehicle bulbs will DISABLE the rear
vehicle lamps from functioning. Your lamp outage feature will also be
disabled or provide incorrect information.
Your vehicle is ready to install a Trailer Tow module that will provide the
proper communication with the vehicle electrical system so your trailer
lamps will function properly. See your dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving
164

Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use 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.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
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% 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.
Driving
165

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 10A Right Stepwell Lamp, Left Stepwell Lamp,
Right Puddle Lamp, Left Puddle Lamp, Left
2nd Row Reading Lamp, Right 2nd Row
Reading Lamp, Left 3rd Row Reading Lamp,
Right 3rd Row Reading Lamp, Cargo Lamp,
Dome Lamp, Map Lamp, LH Visor/Vanity
Lamp, RH Visor/Vanity Lamp
2 25A Glove Box Lamp, LH I/P Courtesy Lamp, RH
I/P Courtesy Lamp, Trailer Tow Module
3 10A LH Power Mirror Motor, RH Power Mirror
Motor
4 Ð Not Used
5 20A I/P Power Point
6 15A Radio, Compact Disc Changer, Remote
Keyless Entry Module, PSD (Power Sliding
Door) Module RH and LH, Rear Seat Radio
Controller
7 15A Left Rear Turn Lamp, Right Backup Lamp,
Right Stop Lamp, Right Rear Park Lamp,
Right License Lamp, Left License Lamp, LH
Backup Lamp
8 20A Rear Electronic Module, RHF/RH Sliding/LH
Sliding/Liftgate Door Lock Motors, Aux. Air
Blend Door Motor, Aux. Air Mode Door Motor
9 10A Cluster, PATS Transceiver, Powertrain
Control Module Relay (coil)
10 10A Heated Backlite Relay (coil), Speed Control
Module, ABS Module, Cluster, Front Temp
Blend Door Actuator, Brake Shift Interlock
Solenoid, Powertrain Control Module, Power
Sliding Door Module RH and LH, Reverse
Sensing System, Front A/C Control Head
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171

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
11 10A Electric Brake Controller, Brake Shift
Interlock Solenoid, Rear Electronic Module
12 20A Center High-Mount Stop Lamp, Trailer Tow
Module
13 10A Right Rear Turn Lamp, Left Stop Lamp, Left
Rear Park Lamp
14 10A Autolamp Sensor, Transmission Overdrive
Cancel Switch, Front Electronic Module,
Compass Module, Electrochromatic Mirror,
Power Sliding Door Overhead Console Switch
15 Ð Not Used
16 10A Cluster, Rear Electronic Module
17 20A Cigar Lighter/Powerpoint, Datalink Connector
18 10A LH Quarter Window Motor, RH Quarter
Window Motor, RH Window Switch
Backlighting, RH Lock Switch Backlighting,
Master Control Switch (LH) Backlighting,
Radio
19 10A Starter Interrupt Relay (coil)
20 Ð Not Used
21 Ð Not Used
22 10A LH Heated Mirror, RH Heated Mirror
23 20A Body Powerpoint, Auxiliary Blower Relay #1
and #2
24 Ð Not Used
25 10A Radio
26 10A Airbag Module
27 Ð Not Used
28 10A Cluster
29 Ð Not Used
Relay 1 Ð Switched System Power Relay #4
Relay 2 Ð Accessory Delay Relay
Roadside emergencies
172

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
Your vehicle may have a temporary or conventional spare tire. The
temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than
a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire
with a conventional tire as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle's reduced
ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Spare tire information
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire thatmust be usedfor
emergencies only. Vehicles equipped with 169tires have a 159spare tire.
Vehicles equipped with self-sealing tires do not have a self-sealing spare.
Roadside emergencies
177

Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Item Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack, wheel nut wrench, Behind the access panel located
on the right rear quarter panel
interior trim
Jack handle Attached to jack with clip
Removing the jack and tools
1. Locate the access panel on the interior trim. Rotate the two panel
retaining clips and remove the panel.
2. Remove the jack and lug nut wrench by turning the thumbscrew
counterclockwise to remove clamp and relieve tension against the
stowage bracket.
Removing the spare tire
1. Open the liftgate and open the plastic cover from the carpeting on
cargo floor to expose the hex nut. On cargo van model, lift flap in mat to
expose hex nut.
2. Insert the lug nut wrench on the
hex nut in cargo floor.
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178

3. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise until tire is
lowered to the ground and the cable
is slightly slack.
4. Remove the retainer from the
spare tire.
Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the interior side facing up.
2. Install the retainer through the
wheel center and slide the wheel
under the vehicle.
3. Turn the lug nut wrench
clockwise until the tire is raised to
its original position underneath the
vehicle. The hex nut ratchets when
the tire is raised to the stowed
position. It will not allow you to
overtighten.
4. Check seating position of tire for
looseness against the underbody
supports and retighten if necessary.
Ensure the position of the
tire is not too far forward to
avoid contact with the axle.
Roadside emergencies
179