2001 FORD MUSTANG towing

TheService Engine Soonindicator light illuminates
when the ignition is first turned to the ON position
to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's emission control systems
may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate
without a driveability concern being noted. The
vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the Service Engine Soon
light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a
malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService
Engine Soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may
misfire or run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed
and securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by
filling the fuel tank with high quality fuel of the
recommended octane and/or properly installing and
securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving
cycles without these or any other temporary
malfunctions present, theService Engine Soonlight
should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theService Engine Soonlight remains on, have
your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate
fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration)
and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Instrumentation
10

(Overdrive)
The normal driving
position for the best
fuel economy.
Transmission operates
in gears one through
four.
(Overdrive) can be
deactivated by pressing
the transmission
control switch on the
gearshift lever.
The transmission
control indicator light
(TCIL) will illuminate
on the instrument
cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by
pressing the transmission control switch on the end
of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the
position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate on
the instrument cluster. Transmission operates in
gears one through three.
(Drive) provides more
engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while you towin the
Trailer Towingchapter.
O/ D
OFF
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²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of
cargo, passengers and optional equipment. The
payload equals the gross vehicle weight rating
minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight
plus payload weight. The GVW is not a limit or a
specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):
Maximum total weight of the base vehicle,
passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on
the Safety Certification Label on the driver's door
pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying
capacity for each axle system. The GAWR is
specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The
combined weight of the towing vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
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 designed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum
weight of a trailer the vehicle is permitted to tow.
The maximum trailer weight rating is determined
by subtracting 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.
Driving
123

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.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the originals because they
may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit
than the originals do not increase the GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
The Safety Certification Label, found on the driver's
door pillar, lists several important vehicle weight
rating limitations. Before adding any additional
equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are
adding weight to the front of your vehicle,
(potentially including weight added to the cab), the
weight added should not exceed the front axle
reserve capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight
may be added to the front axle reserve capacity
provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of
cargo carried).
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo
and equipment being carried is within the weight
limitations that have been established for your
vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and
Front and rear gross axle weight rating limits. Under
no circumstance should these limitations be
exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating
limitation could result in serious damage to the
vehicle and/or personal injury.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to 454
kg (1 000 lbs.) gross trailer weight with a maximum
Driving
124

tongue load of 45 kg (100 lbs.). Do not tow a trailer
until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after
towing.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limit of the vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transaxle 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.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. 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
trailer brakes are safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Driving
125

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.
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.
Driving
126

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up 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.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain
combination to tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground (such as behind a recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged due to insufficient
lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities
with rear wheel drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your
vehicle behind a Motorhome. The following
recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
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127

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern,
Ford offers a complimentary roadside assistance
program. This program is separate from the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period (U.S.) of three
years or 60 000 km (36 000 miles), whichever
comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and
four years or 80 000 km (50 000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing of your disabled vehicle up to 56.3 kms
(35 miles) from the point of pickup (this can
include to the nearest Ford dealership, or your
selling dealer if within the specified distance.)
One tow per disablement. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply,
such as impound towing or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card
and place it in your wallet for quick reference. In the
United States, this card is found in the Owner Guide
portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles
and is mailed to you if you own a Mercury or
Lincoln. In Canada, the card is found in the
Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States
for Ford or Mercury vehicles, call 1±800±241±3673
or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Roadside emergencies
129