2002 FORD EXPLORER trailer

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, 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.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of 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 trailer 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.
Driving
200

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.
Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle's taillamp
circuits, because it may damage the electrical system resulting in
fire. Contact your local Ford dealership for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
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.
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 no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
Driving
201

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) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). 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.
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)
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.
Driving
202

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
25 5A Mode, Temperature Actuator,
Auxiliary Climate Control, Trailer
Tow Battery Charge, Moon Roof
26 7.5A Park Aid, Brake Shift Interlock,
Approach Lamp Relay Coil
27 7.5A Electronic Compass Mirror,
Security Module, Digital
Transmission Range Sensor -
Backup Lamps
28 10A Air Bag Diagnostics
29 5A 4 x 4, GEM Module signal, ABS
Control Module, Moon Roof
30 5A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL),
Remote Solenoid, DEATC Climate
Controller
Roadside emergencies
211

The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
1 60A** PJB
2 20A** Door Locks
3 20A** GCC Pusher Fan (export only)
4 30A** Heated Backlight
5 40A** ABS
6 60A** Circuit Breaker
7 20A** Power Point #2
8 Ð Not Used
9 20A** Power Point #1
10 20A** ABS Module
11 40A** PTEC
12 50A** Ignition Relay
13 30A** Trailer Tow Battery
14 10A* Fog Lamps
15 5A* Memory
16 15A* Headlamp Switch
17 20A*4 x 4 (v-batt 2)
18 20A*4 x 4 (v-batt 1)
19 20A** High Beam Relay
20 30A** Electric Brake
21 Ð Not Used
22 20A** Autolmap; Low Beam
23 30A** Ignition Switch
24 10A* Rear Fog Lamps
25 20A* Security Module (horns)
26 15A* Fuel Pump
27 20A* Trailer Tow Lamps
28 10A* Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
29 60A** PJB
30 Ð Not Used
31 Ð Not Used
32 Ð Not Used
33 30A** Auxiliary Blower Motor
Roadside emergencies
214

Rear Relay Box
The relay box is located on the rear passenger side quarter trim panel.
To access this box you must remove the trim panel.
The relays are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 14 Rear fog lamps-export
Relay 15 Trailer Tow back up lamps
Relay 16 Not Used
Relay 17 Rear Wipers
Relay 18 Trailer Tow Stop EAO
Relay 19 Trailer Tow Park Lamps
Relay 20 Trailer Tow Battery Charge
Relay 21 Not Used
Relay 22 Approach Lamps
Relay 23 Not Used
Diode 3 Not Used
Diode 4 Not Used
Roadside emergencies
216

Auxiliary relay box (trailer tow)
The relay box is located on the front right fender well underneath the
speed control module.
The relays are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 64 Trailer Tow (left turn)
Relay 65 Trailer Tow (right turn)
Relay 66 Not Used
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.
Spare tire information
The spare tire can be used as a spare or a regular tire. The spare is
identical to the other tires on your vehicle, although the wheel will not
match.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD or AWD, a spare tire of a
different size than the road tires should not be used. Such a tire
could result in damage to driveline components and make the
vehicle difficult to control.
Roadside emergencies
217

²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
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.
Maintenance and care
267