If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designed by weight, not volume, so you
cannot necessarily use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire, rim sizes and inflation
pressures are specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. A Certification Label was supplied by Ford Motor
Company to the Motorhome Manufacturer. The manufacturer uses this
information and supplies a Certification Label which is located inside the
vehicle to the left of the driver.
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Certification
Label, located near the driver’s seat or on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Certification Label, located near the driver’s seat or on the driver’s
door pillar.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
Driving
31
daytime running light ...............14
headlamps .................................14
headlamps, flash to pass ..........15
instrument panel, dimming .....15
replacing bulbs .........................15
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............25
Load limits ...................................31
GAWR ........................................31
GVWR ........................................31
trailer towing ............................31
Lubricant specifications .......91–92
M
Motorcraft parts ....................71, 88
O
Octane rating ..............................69
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................57
P
Parking brake ..............................26
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......88
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................41
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ......78
fluid, refill capacity ..................89
fluid, specifications .............91–92
R
Relays ....................................38, 44
S
Safety defects, reporting ............93
Servicing your vehicle ................55
Spark plugs, specifications ...88, 92
Special notice ..........................5, 53Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................91–92
Speed control ..............................17
Starting your vehicle ............20–22
jump starting ............................48
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................16
T
Tires .................................45, 84–86
changing ....................................45
replacing ..............................46, 87
rotating ......................................86
snow tires and chains ..............87
tire grades .................................85
treadwear ..................................84
Towing .........................................33
trailer towing ............................33
wrecker ......................................52
Transmission ...............................27
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................81
fluid, refill capacities ................89
lubricant specifications ......91–92
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............................................92
Vehicle loading ............................31
Ventilating your vehicle .............23
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through ...............30
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................16
Wrecker towing ...........................52
Index
96
