
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•An example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (636 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. You and your friends
average 220 lb. (100 kg) each and the golf bags weigh approximately
30 lb. (14 kg) each. Is there enough load capacity to carry you, 4 of
your friends and all the golf bags? The calculation would be: 1400 – (5
x 220) – (5 x 30) = 1400 – 1100 – 150 = 150 lb. Metric conversion;
636 kg – (5 x 100) – (5 x 14) = 636 – 570 = 66 kg. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport 4 of your friends and
golf bags.
• Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (636 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100
lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity to
transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each
weighed 220 lb. (100 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 – (2 x 220) –
(12 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 1200 = – 240 lb. Metric conversion; 636 kg
– (2 x 100) – (12 x 45) = 636 – 200 – 540 = –104 kg. No, you do not
have enough cargo capacity to carry that much weight. You will need
to reduce the load weight by at least 240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove
3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then the load calculation would be:
1400 – (2 x 220) – (9 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 900 = 60 lb. Metric
conversion; 636 kg – (2 x 100) – (9 x 45) = 636 – 200 – 405 = 31 kg.
Now you have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend
home.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Certification label
found on the driver’s door.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
Recreational towing is not approved for this vehicle.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all electrical accessories except
the audio system and power
windows, which retain power for 10
minutes or until the door is ajar.
This position also locks the steering
wheel and allows key removal.
2. ACC, allows electrical accessories
to operate while the engine is not
running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits are operational and warning lights are
illuminated. Key position when driving.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.
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Driving
Driving
95

BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by a qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Refer toBrake system warning
light in the Instrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
!
BRAKE
ABS
!
BRAKE
2006 GT (gto)
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USA_English (fus)
Driving
99

STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir). Refer to Checking and
adding power steering power fluid in theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter for information on checking and filling the
power steering fluid reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle has special design features, such as a decreased ground
clearance; care should be taken when driving your vehicle near curbs,
speed bumps and parking lot bump-stops.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
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Driving
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Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fueleconomy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
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).
3. Shift into R (Reverse) by pulling the gearshift lever fully to the left
through the detent, then forward. The detent force is high to prevent
inadvertently shifting into R (Reverse).
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.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
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).
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Driving
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WRECKER TOWING
Note:Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the rear. Ford Motor
Company has not approved towing this vehicle from the rear.
Note: It is recommended that the Ford GT be towed with flatbed
equipment only. Do not tow with a slingbelt or wheel lift. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt or wheel lift towing procedure. If
the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle damage may
occur.
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Roadside Emergencies
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5. Transport the vehicle with the parking brake OFF and the
transmission in NEUTRAL.
6. Secure the vehicle with wheel basket tie-downs to the flatbed deck.
Note:Inspect tie-downs periodically for tightness. Never fasten J-hooks
to any suspension wheel or driveline component because J-hooks will
damage these components.
Note: If you have this vehicle transported by either air, water, or rail,
follow the wheel tie-down procedure starting with Step 5.
TOW HOOK
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow
hook located in the tire inflation kit
in the luggage compartment.
The tow hook should be threaded
into the hole provided in the front
grill area as shown. Note: This is a
left-handed thread.
2006 GT (gto)
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Roadside Emergencies
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ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers are coated with a clearcoat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A),
which is available from your dealer. Heavy dirt and brake dust
accumulation may require agitation with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly
with a strong stream of water.
• Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
• Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
• Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
• To remove tar and grease, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover
(ZC-42), available from your dealer.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
• Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
• Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
• Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
• Cover the highlighted area to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine. Note:Use caution when cleaning the engine, ensuring that
water does not enter the air intakes.
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USA_English (fus)
Cleaning
134