2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC towing

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 vehicle
control, vehicle rollover 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.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over
1,588 kg (3,500 lb).
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.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.
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 towing vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
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.
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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.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a 1,590 kg
(3,500 lb.) trailer weight and 159 kg (350 lb.) tongue weight capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over 1,590 kg
(3,500 lb).
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off your 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.
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
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 no more than 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.
•When 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.
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•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
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 critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage. Replace the rear axle lubricant
any time the axle has been submerged in water.
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.
Camper bodies
Your Explorer Sport Trac is not recommended for slide–in camper
bodies.
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.
All vehicles equipped with a manual transmission:
Before you have your vehicle towed:
•Release the parking brake.
•Move the gearshift to the neutral position.
•Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF/UNLOCKED position.
•The maximum recommended speed is 88 km/h (55 mph).
•The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
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GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•
for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000 km
(36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and
four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles*.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery*
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
* Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on coverage period and exact fuel amounts..
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1–800–665–2006.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
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•To assemble, depress button and
slide the pieces together. To
disassemble, depress the button
and pull the pieces apart.
2. Insert the jack handle into the
opening just above the rear bumper.
The handle will stop moving forward
and resistance to turning will be felt
when properly engaged.
3. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground,
and the cable is slack. Slide the tire
rearward.
4. Remove the retainer from the center of the spare tire.
Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
2. Slide the wheel under the vehicle
and install the retainer through the
wheel center.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
jack handle ratchets when the tire is
raised to the stowed position. It will
not allow you to overtighten.
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Stowing the jack and tools
1. Install the jack handles into the
clips.
2. Install the lug wrench ensuring
that the square hole is over the peg
on the bracket. Ensure that the lug
wrench handle is seated below the
nib at the base of the peg.
3. Install the jack on the bracket
and place the plastic clip that is
attached to the lug wrench between
the head of the jack and the head of
the lug wrench. Turn the
thumbwheel clockwise to raise the jack between the stands and the top
of the lug wrench.
How to change a flat tire
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or R
(Reverse) (manual transmission).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close
to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Before changing the tire:
1. Park on a level surface.
2. Activate the hazard flashers.
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To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
•Never use the differential as a
jacking point.
5. Remove the wheel lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts (cone side in) until the wheel is
snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel
has been lowered.
7. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
9. Stow the flat tire. Refer to
Stowing the spare tire.
10. Stow the jack and lug nut
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
1
4 3
2 5
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WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
Ford recommends your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed. Do
not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
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