2003 LINCOLN LS load capacity

VEHICLE LOADING
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.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum allowable 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.
•GAWR (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.
The Safety Certification Label, located on the driver’s door pillar, lists
vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any additional equipment,
refer to these limitations.
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment is
within the weight limitations, including both gross vehicle weight and
front and rear gross axle weight rating limits.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, and/or personal injury.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
Driving
198

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km–5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
Maintenance and Specifications
259

•Unidirectional tire rotation
For vehicles equipped with original
equipment unidirectional tires and
full-size spare, your vehicle can be
driven with the unidirectional
full-size spare, rotating counter to
the directional arrow on the tire
sidewall.
Your unidirectional full-size spare
tire is rotated for wear balance. Best
performance may be achieved by
remounting the tire to the wheel, if
necessary, to permit tire rotation
with the directional arrow on the
tire sidewall.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
270

F
Fail safe cooling ........................253
Floor mats .................................119
Fluid capacities .........................272
Foglamps .....................................78
Fuel ............................................254
calculating fuel economy ......108,
259
cap ...........................................256
capacity ...................................272
choosing the right fuel ...........257
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........261
detergent in fuel .....................258
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................254, 256, 259
filter, specifications ........258, 271
improving fuel economy ........259
octane rating ...........257, 275–276
quality ......................................257
running out of fuel .................258
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................254
Fuses ..................................202–203
G
Garage door opener ..................102
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............256
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................259
Gauges .........................................14
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................198
definition .................................198
driving with a heavy load ......198
location ....................................198GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................198
calculating ...............................198
definition .................................198
driving with a heavy load ......198
location ....................................198
H
Head restraints .................135, 140
Headlamps ...................................77
aiming ........................................80
autolamp system .......................77
bulb specifications ....................81
daytime running lights .............78
flash to pass ..............................79
replacing bulbs ...................82–83
turning on and off ....................77
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................69, 71
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) .............102–103, 105
Hood ..........................................240
I
Ignition .......................181, 275–276
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................172
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................263
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................236
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................79
Index
283