1 814 kg (4 000 lb.) trailer weight and 181 kg (400 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over 1814 kg
(4 000 lb).
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 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.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle 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 until the vehicle is
being towed.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Driving
156
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
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.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
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
Maintenance and care
213
Floor mats ...................................81
Fluid capacities .........................226
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..12,144
control trac ........................22,145
description ..............................145
driving off road .......................147
electronic shift ...................22,146
indicator light ...........................12
preparing to
drive your vehicle ...................140
Fuel ............................................206
calculating fuel economy .......210
cap ...........................................209
capacity ...................................226
choosing the right fuel ...........208
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................213
detergent in fuel .....................209
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................206,209,210
filter, specifications .........210,226
fuel pump shut-off switch .....160
gauge .........................................14
improving fuel economy ........210
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ....................208,232
quality ......................................208
running out of fuel .................209
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................206
Fuses ...................................161,162
Garage door opener ....................70
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............209
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................210
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................14odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....149
calculating ...............................151
definition .................................149
driving with a heavy load ......149
location ....................................149
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............149
calculating ........................149,151
definition .................................149
driving with a heavy load ......149
location ....................................149
Hazard flashers .........................160
Head restraints ......................92,97
Headlamps ...................................19
aiming ......................................221
autolamp system .......................20
bulb specifications ..................219
daytime running lights .............19
flash to pass ..............................19
high beam ............................11,19
replacing bulbs .......................216
turning on and off ....................19
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................51
heating and
air conditioning system ............51
Hood ..........................................182
Ignition .......................................232
positions of the ignition ...........62
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................123
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................215
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................224
cluster ...................................8,224
Index
250
