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•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift into the “L” gear
position. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•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.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a recreational vehicle or
moving truck).
In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to the
Wrecker towingsection in theDrivingchapter.
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles:
Do not tow your Front Wheel Drive vehicle with the front drive wheels
on the ground as transaxle damage may occur. It is recommended to tow
your vehicle with the front drive wheels on a dolly or use a car-hauling
trailer.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles:
Do not tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with any wheels on the ground
as vehicle or transaxle damage may occur. It is recommended to tow
your vehicle using a car-hauling trailer.
2007 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
176
Page 209 of 280
Removing the spare tire and jack
1. Lift the trunk cargo cover, and
remove the wing nut that secures
the spare tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
2. Lift and remove the spare tire
from the trunk.
3. Remove the second wing nut that
secures the jack retention bracket
by turning it counterclockwise,
remove the jack kit from the
vehicle.
4. Remove the jack and the wrench
from the felt bag. Fold down the
wrench socket to use to loosen the
lug nuts and to operate the jack.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
2007 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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Page 211 of 280
4. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the tire you are changing.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely off the
ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts 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.
Refer toWheel lug nut torque
specificationslater in this chapter
for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
9. Install the wheel cover (if
equipped). The wheel cover will
only install if the Ford/Mercury logo
is aligned over the valve stem on the
wheel.
1
4 3
2 5
2007 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
211
Page 213 of 280

If you are stowing the temporary
spare tire,place the tire over the
jack and secure it with the large
wing nut.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 100 miles (160 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
lb.ft. N•m
1/2-20 UNF 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or brake disc that
contacts the wheel. Ensure that any fasteners that attach the rotor to
the hub are secured so they do not interfere with the mounting
surfaces of the wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal
contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to
loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion,
resulting in loss of control.
JUMP STARTING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
2007 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
213
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Keys ...........................................102
positions of the ignition .........177
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................52
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................57
daytime running light ...............54
fog lamps ...................................53
headlamps .................................52
headlamps, flash to pass ..........53
instrument panel, dimming .....54
interior lamps .....................56–57
replacing bulbs ...................57, 60
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........181
Load limits .................................168
Locks
autolock .....................................88
childproof ..................................91
doors ..........................................88
Lubricant specifications ...........266
Lug nuts ....................................213
Lumbar support, seats .............107
M
Message center ...........................78
english/metric button ...............83
system check button ................83
warning messages .....................83
Mirrors .........................................67
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................67
fold away ...................................68
heated ........................................68side view mirrors (power) .......67
Moon roof ....................................72
Motorcraft parts ........233, 251, 265
N
Navigation system .......................30
O
Octane rating ............................254
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................239
P
Parking brake ............................181
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....265
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................115
Power adjustable foot pedals .....68
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................203
Power door locks ........................88
Power mirrors .............................67
Power point .................................64
Power steering ..........................183
fluid, checking and adding ....261
fluid, refill capacity ................266
fluid, specifications .................266
Power Windows ...........................65
R
Radio ......................................16, 21
Relays ........................................200
Remote entry system .................93
illuminated entry ................97–98
2007 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
276