Page 193 of 296

VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
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 permissable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, 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 occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
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 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 occupants 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.
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.
Driving
193
Page 274 of 296

²Vehicle speeds less than 30 km/h (20 mph), greater than 120 km/h
(70 mph) or driving duration less than 10 miles.
²Transporting a heavy load or towing a trailer.
²A different tire was replace and was not the same brand, type, size,
speed rating, load carrying capacity and DOT code as the other tire on
the same axle.
The low tire warning feature can be turned off by your dealer.
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
Maintenance and Specifications
274
Page 291 of 296

overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
traction control active ..............13
traction control off ...................13
turn signal indicator .................15
Load limits .................................193
GAWR ......................................193
GVWR ......................................193
trailer towing ..........................193
Locks
autolock ...................................121
childproof ................................114
Low tire warning .......................272
Lubricant
specifications .....................279±280
Lumbar support, seats .............132
M
Message center .........................100
english/metric button .............101
system check button ..............101
warning messages ...................102
Mirrors .........................................81
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................88
fold away ...................................89
heated ........................................89
side view mirrors (power) .......88
Motorcraft parts ................262, 277
O
Octane rating ............................260
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................246
Overdrive .............................93, 187P
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ................118
Parking brake ............................181
Parts
(see Motorcraft parts) ..............277
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................142
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................90
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................208
Power door locks ..............113, 121
Power steering ..........................185
fluid, checking and adding ....267
fluid, refill capacity ................278
fluid, specifications .........279±280
R
Rear window defroster ...............66
Relays ........................................203
Remote entry system .......114, 118
illuminated entry ......68, 121±122
locking/unlocking
doors ........................113, 115±117
panic alarm .............................118
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................120
replacing the batteries ...........119
Reverse sensing system ...........190
Roof rack ...................................112
Index
291