2000 FORD E SERIES trailer

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. 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 (if equipped)
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 has a
2 270 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
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for 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.
Driving
124

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±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
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 (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Driving
125

Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle on a
trip behind a Motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need
for recreational towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged.
2WD vehicles (with automatic transmissions)
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
²Maximum speed is 56 km (35 mph)
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles)
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km (35 mph) must be
exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
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 (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
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.
Driving through deep water where the transmission/transmission
vent tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission
and cause internal transmission damage.
Driving
126

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment
Fuse Panel Description
8 30A Radio Capacitor(s), Ignition Coil, PCM
Diode, PCM Power Relay, Fuel Heater,
Glow Plug Relay (Diesel Only)
9 30A Wiper Control Module, Windshield Wiper
Motor
10 20A Main Light Switch, (External Lamps)
Multi-Function Switch (Flash-to-pass)
11 15A Brake Pressure Switch, Multi-Function
Switch (Hazards), RABS, Brake Pedal
Position Switch
12 15A Transmission Range (TR) Sensor, Auxiliary
Battery Relay
13 15A Blend Door Actuator, Function Selector
Switch
14 5A Instrument Cluster (Air Bag and Charge
Indicator)
15 5A Trailer Battery Charge Relay
16 30A Power Seats
17 Ð Not Used
18 Ð Not Used
19 10A Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor
20 5A Overdrive Cancel Switch
21 30A Power Windows*
22 15A Memory Power Radio
23 20A Cigar Lighter, Data Link Connector (DLC)
24 Ð Not Used
25 10A Left Headlamp (Low Beam)
26 Ð Not Used
27 5A Radio
28 20A Power Plug
29 Ð Not Used
30 15A Headlamps (High Beam Indicator), DRL10A
31 10A Right Headlamp (Low Beam), DRL
Roadside emergencies
133

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 Ð Not Used
2 Ð Not Used
3 Ð Not Used
4 10A* PCM Keep Alive Memory, Instrument
Cluster
5 10A* Right Trailer Turn Signal
6 10A* Left Trailer Turn Signal
7 Ð Not Used
8 60A** I/P Fuses 5, 11, 23, 38, 4, 10, 16, 22, 28
9 30A** PCM Power Relay, Engine Compartment
Fuse 4
10 60A** Auxiliary Battery Relay, Engine
Compartment Fuses 14, 22
11 30A** IDM Relay
12 60A** Engine Compartment Fuses 26, 27
13 50A** Blower Motor Relay (Blower Motor)
AB3
2
146 5715 14 13 12 11 10 9 823 22 21 20 19 18 17 1624 26 25 27
29
CDG F EK J H
28
Roadside emergencies
135

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
14 30A** Trailer Running Lamps Relay, Trailer
Backup Lamps Relay
15 40A** Main Light Switch
16 50A** RKE Module, Auxiliary Blower Motor Relay
17 30A** Fuel Pump Relay, IDM (Diesel)
18 60A** I/P Fuses 40, 41
19 60A** 4WABS Module
20 20A** Electric Brake Controller
21 50A** Modified Vehicle Power
22 40A** Trailer Battery Charge Relay (Modified
Vehicles Only)
23 60A** Ignition Switch
24 Ð Not Used
25 20A* NGV Module
26 10A* Generator/Voltage Regulator (Diesel Only)
27 15A* DRL Module, Horn Relay
28 Ð PCM Diode
29 Ð Not Used
A Ð Not Used
B Ð Not Used
C Ð Trailer Backup Lamps Relay
D Ð Trailer Running Lamps Relay
E Ð Trailer Running Lamps Relay
F Ð IDM Relay
G Ð PCM Relay
H Ð Blower Motor Relay
J Ð Horn Relay
K Ð Fuel Pump Relay, IDM Relay (Diesel)
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
Roadside emergencies
136

For E-SuperDuty vehicles with the Hydro-Boost Brake System,
do not press the brake pedal after the engine has been turned
off.
5. Recheck the fluid level on the dipstick. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL COLD range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
Maintenance and care
165

Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and care
186