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:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling.
•Anticipate 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.Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they
may overheat and become less effective.
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
•Practice 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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If 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
Maintenance and specificationschapter for the lubricant
specification.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When 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.
Driving
156
ProCarManuals.com
•Vehicles 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
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.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do 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 vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time 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.
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):
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 56 km (35 mph)
•Maximum 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
157
ProCarManuals.com
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
5 20A RKE module, Power lock
switches, Memory lock, Power
locks with RKE
6 10A Brake shift interlock, Speed
control, DRL module
7 10A Multi-function switch, Turn signals
8 30A Radio capacitor(s), Ignition coil,
PCM diode, PCM power relay,
Fuel heater (Diesel only), Glow
plug relay (Diesel only)
9 30A Wiper control module, Windshield
wiper motor
10 20A Main light switch, Park lamps,
License lamp (external lamps),
Multi-function switch
(flash-to-pass)
11 15A Brake pressure switch,
Multi-function switch (hazards),
Brake lamp switch, Brake lamps
12 15A Transmission Range (TR) sensor,
Backup lamps, Auxiliary battery
relay
13 15A Blend door actuator, A/C heater,
Function selector switch
14 5A Instrument cluster (air bag and
charge indicator)
15 5A Trailer battery charge relay
16 30A Power seats
17—Not used
18—Not used
19 10A Air bag diagnostic monitor
20 5A Overdrive cancel switch
21 30A Power windows*
22 15A Memory power radio, E-Traveler
radio, E-Traveler console
Roadside Emergencies
164
ProCarManuals.com
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Always replace the cover to the power distribution box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid reservoirs
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
1—Not used
2—Not used
3—Not used
4 10A* Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Keep Alive Memory, Instrument
cluster, Voltmeter
5 10A* Right trailer turn signal
6 10A* Left trailer turn signal
7 20A* Clearance lamps
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
166
ProCarManuals.com
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
8 60A** I/P fuses 4, 5, 10, 11, 16, 22, 23,
28, 32, 38
9 30A** PCM power relay, Engine
compartment fuse 4
10 60A** Auxiliary battery relay, Engine
compartment fuses 14, 22
11 30A** IDM relay (Diesel only)
12 60A** Engine compartment fuses 25, 27
13 50A** Blower motor relay (blower
motor)
14 30A** Trailer running lamps relay,
Trailer backup lamps relay
15 40A** Main light switch, Daytime
Running Lights (DRL)
16 50A** Auxiliary blower motor relay
17 30A** Fuel pump relay
18 60A** I/P fuses 33, 37, 39, 40, 41
19 60A** 4WABS module
20 20A** Electric brake controller
21 50A** Modified vehicle power
22 40A** Trailer battery charge relay,
Modified vehicles
23 60A** Ignition switch, Fuse panel
24 30A* Natural gas tank valves (NGV
only)
25 20A* NGV module (NGV only)
26 10A* A/C clutch (4.2L only)
27 15A* DRL module, Horn relay
28—PCM diode
29—Not used
A—Marker lamps relay
B—Stop lamp relay
Roadside Emergencies
167
ProCarManuals.com
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
C—Trailer backup lamps relay
D—Trailer running lamps relay
E—Trailer battery charge relay
F—IDM relay (Diesel only), A/C
clutch relay (4.2L only)
G—PCM relay
H—Blower motor relay
J—Horn relay
K—Fuel pump relay
* Mini fuses ** Maxi fuses
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
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.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires.
Spare tire information
The spare tire for your vehicle is stowed under the rear of your vehicle
(except cutaway and stripped chassis models).
Roadside Emergencies
168
ProCarManuals.com
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close 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:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and Specifications
223
ProCarManuals.com
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
227
ProCarManuals.com