2003 FORD EXPEDITION trailer

Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition in the
ON position, apply the brake and place the gearshift lever in
(Overdrive) for 10 seconds, then return the gearshift lever to P (Park)
and release the brake. With the ignition still in the ON position, and all
doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand (without passengers) for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to OFF.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0–13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to ON.
Note:Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
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.
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.
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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:
•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 transmissionsection 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 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.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•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).
•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.
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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 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 before the vehicle is
towed.
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.
Vehicles equipped with Control Trac four-wheel drive system:
Vehicles equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel drive system cannot be
towed with any wheels on the ground. See your local dealer if you must
flat-tow a vehicle equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel drive system.
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The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
1 10A* Front wiper motor, Instrument cluster,
Rear wiper motor, Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)
2 20A* Turn signal flasher, Stoplamp switch,
Hazard flasher, IVD (AdvanceTrac)
stoplamps relay
3 7.5A* Power mirrors, Memory seat switch,
Memory seat module
4 10A* DVD player, Rear seat audio controls,
CDDJ
5 7.5A* Powertrain Control Module (PCM) (KA
power), SC deactivate switch, Manual
climate control mode switch, Stoplamp
switch, Brake-shift interlock (BSI)
solenoid, EATC control head, BSM module,
Speed control servo, 3rd row seat relay
6 15A* Headlamp switch, Parklamps, License plate
lamps, Trailer tow electric brake controller,
BSM parklamps relay
7 7.5A* Radio
8 10A* Rear window defroster switch, Heated
mirrors
9 10A* Alternator
10 20A* Back-up lamps, Back-up lamp relay, Trailer
tow parklamp relay
11 10A* A/C clutch relay, 4x4 IWE solenoid
12 10A* Speed control servo, Speed control
13 10A* EATC control head, Manual climate control
head
Roadside Emergencies
232

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
28 5A* SecuriLock transceiver
29 30A* Trailer tow electric brake controller
30 30A* BSM (door locks), Liftgate glass release
relay, Liftgate glass release motor,
Door/Liftgate locks, Parklamps relay
(BSM), Headlamps relay (BSM), Door
lock/Unlock relay (BSM)
31 25A* Radio
32 15A* CMS, Transmission solenoids
33 20A* Canister vent solenoid, EVR CC, HEGOs,
VMV solenoid, IMTV solenoid, A/C clutch
relay coil
34 20A* PCM, Fuel injectors, Idle air control (IAC)
solenoid, Mass air flow sensor
35 20A* Instrument cluster high beam indicator,
High beam headlamps
36 10A* Trailer tow right turn lamp
37 20A* Cargo area power point
38 25A* Rear wiper motor, Washer pump (rear
window wash)
39 20A* Instrument panel or floor console power
point, Rear console power point
40 20A* Headlamp switch, High beam relay coil, LH
low beam fuse # 25, LH low beam fuse #
23, BSM (autolamps headlamp relay), DRL
41 20A* Cigar lighter, OBD II Connector
42 10A* Trailer tow left turn lamp
101 30A** Starter relay, Starter solenoid
102 30A** Ignition switch, Starter solenoid
103 30A** ABS module (pump motor)
104 30A** LH 3rd row power seat
105 30A** Spare
Roadside Emergencies
234

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
106 30A** Trailer tow battery charge relay
107 30A** Auxiliary blower relay, Auxiliary blower
motor
108 30A** Power passenger seat switch, Passenger
power lumbar switch
109 30A** Driver seat motor switch, Driver lumbar
switch, Adjustable pedal switch, Memory
module
110 30A** Spare
111 50A** Air suspension solid state relay, Air
suspension compressor
112 30A** ABS module (valves)
113 30A** Front wiper motor, Front washer pump
114 40A** Rear window defrost relay, Heated mirrors
(Fuse # 8)
115 30A** 4x4 module, Transfer case shift motor
116 40A** Front blower relay, Front blower motor
117 30A** RH 3rd row power seat
118 30A** Driver and passenger climate control seat
module
401 30A** Power window circuit breaker, Main
window switch, Window motors, Window
switches, Moonroof module
R01 Starter relay Starter motor solenoid
R02 Delayed
accessory
relayFuse # 22, CB # 401, Power windows,
Switch backlighting, Radio, Moonroof, Flip
windows
R03 Hi-beam
relayFuse # 35, Hi-beam headlamps, Hi-beam
indicator, DRL relays
R04 Rear window
defroster
relayFuse # 8 (heated mirrors), Rear window
defroster
Roadside Emergencies
235

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
R05 T/T battery
charge relayTT 7 wire connector, Battery charge
R06 Front blower
relayBlower motor, Blower motor speed control
(EATC)
R201 T/T park
lamp relayTrailer tow park lamps feed
R202 Fog lamp
relayFront fog lamps
R203 PCM relay Fuse # 32, Fuse # 33, Fuse # 34, Fuel
pump relay, PCM solenoids and sensors
R301 T/T back-up
lamp relayBack-up lamps, TT connector (back-up
lamps), Electrochromic mirror
R302 Speed
control relayElectric cooling fan clutch, Speed control
servo
R303 Fuel pump
relayFuel pump shut-off switch, PCM fuel
pump monitor, Fuel pump
R304 Battery
saver relayRail lamps, Vanity mirror lamps, Dome
lamp, Glove box lamp, Instrument cluster
R305 Horn relay Dual note horn
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
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. The use of tire sealants may also affect your tire
pressure monitoring system (if equipped).
Spare tire information
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire that may be used as a spare or
a regular tire. The spare is identical to the other tires on your vehicle,
although the wheel may not match.
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Special Conditions:
•Release the parking brake.
•Turn the ignition to the OFF/UNLOCKED position.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed a distance of 80 km (50 miles).
•Do not exceed 56 km/h (35 mph) vehicle speed.
With a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel dollies, car hauling
trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your vehicle can be towed (all wheels
on the ground) under the following conditions:
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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