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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. (For additional information, refer to the
Driving with a 4–speed automatic transmission section in this
chapter.
• Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your service maintenance section 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.
• After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
• To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual transmissions).
• 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.
Driving
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3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of theassisting battery.
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to an exposed metal part of the stalled vehicle’s engine, away from the battery and
the carburetor/fuel injection system. Do notuse fuel lines, engine
rocker covers or the intake manifold as groundingpoints.
WARNING: Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
+–+–
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
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Mirrorsautomatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................86
cleaning ...................................221
side view mirrors (power) .......89
Motorcraft parts ........................255
O
Octane rating ............................254
Odometer .....................................20
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................238
Overdrive .....................................93
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................100
Parking brake ............................155
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................188
Power door locks ........................97
Power point .................................84
Power steering ..........................156 fluid, checking and adding ....261
fluid, refill capacity ................272
fluid, specifications .........275–276
Power Windows ...........................85
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................157
R
Radio ................................21, 45, 53
Radio reception .....................66–67
Relays ........................................183
Remote entry system .........97, 100 illuminated entry ......................98
locking/unlocking doors .....97–99
panic alarm .............................100
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................101
replacing the batteries ...........100
Roadside assistance ..................181
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................17, 107–111
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ................107–111 belt minder .............................115
cleaning the safety belts ........118
extension assembly ................114
for adults .........................108–110
for children .....................131–132
lap belt ....................................113
warning light and
chime ...........................14, 17, 114
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................145
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ......................................140
Safety seats for children ..........135
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................107
Seats ..........................................105 child safety seats ....................135
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................102–103
Servicing your vehicle ..............232
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................195
Spark plugs, specifications .......276
Index
284
