
Reverse
1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the neutral position and wait at least
three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse).
•The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving it
from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).
This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from
accidentally being shifted into R (Reverse) from 5 (Overdrive).
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, then shift into 1 (First).
3. Turn the ignition off.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
Removing the key
Turn the ignition off, push the
release lever (located above the
ignition), then turn the key toward
you and remove the key.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
PUSH
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
108

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes. Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube or transfer case vent
tube (4x4 vehicles only) are submerged may allow water into the
transmission or transfer case and cause internal
transmission/transfer case damage.
VEHICLE LOADING –WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle ’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle ’s
Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
Base Curb Weight –is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight –is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight –includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) –is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) –including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
118

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)–is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the driver ’s door or door pillar. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits
could result in substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
Note: For trailer towing information refer to Trailer Towingfound in
this chapter or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your
dealership.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) –is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) –is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the driver ’s
door or door pillar. The GVW
must never exceed the GVWR.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
119

Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits
could result in substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight) –is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) –is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer –including all cargo and
passengers –that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle ’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 680 kg
[1,500 lbs]). The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight –is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10 –15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15 –25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (68 kg [150 lbs]). Consult your dealership (or
the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealership) for
more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight –refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples: For a 2268 kg (5000 lbs.) conventional trailer, multiply 5000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 227 to 340 kg
(500 to 750 lbs.). For an 5216 kg (11,500 lbs.) fifth wheel trailer,
multiply by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 782
to 1304 kg (1,725 to 2,875 lbs.)
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
120

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.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle section in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in the Trailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take your
vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle ’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
121

Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR - kg (lbs.) Maximum
trailer weight - kg (lbs.) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6 ’box
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 717 (1580) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1207 (2660) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1143 (2520) 4.64 (50) Regular Cab w/7’box
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 689 (1520) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1170 (2580) 4.64 (50) SuperCab
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 644 (1420) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1125 (2480) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1061 (2400) 4.64 (50) 4.0L All 3175 (7000) 1542 (3400) 4.64 (50)
4.0L Edge All 3175 (7000) 1506 (3320) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1000 ft.)
elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table see Vehicle Loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular vehicle,
see Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow earlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
122

4x4 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg (lbs.) Maximum
trailer
weight - kg (lbs) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6 ’box
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1061 (2340) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3175 (7000) 1479 (3260) 4.64 (50) Regular Cab w/7’box
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1034 (2280) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3175 (7000) 1451 (3200) 4.64 (50) SuperCab
4.0L
(without FX4
package) All 3175 (7000) 1406 (3100) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (with FX4
package) All 3175 (7000) 1243 (2740) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1000 ft.)
of elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table, see Vehicle loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow earlier in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
123

4x2 w/automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR - kg (lbs.) Maximum
trailer weight - kg (lbs.) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6 ’box
2.3L All 2495 (5500) 1016 (2240) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1860 (2620) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1125 (2480) 4.64 (50) Regular Cab w/7’box
2.3L All 2495 (5500) 989 (2180) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1152 (2540) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 4309 (9500) 2712 (5980) 4.64 (50) SuperCab
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1107 (2440) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1070 (2360) 4.64 (50) 4.0L All 4309 (9500) 2658 (5860) 4.64 (50)
4.0L Edge All 4309 (9500) 2603 (5740) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1000 ft.)
elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table see Vehicle Loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular vehicle,
see Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow earlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
124