Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635–340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x
99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
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•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 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
weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12
x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 -
540 = -103 kg. 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. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x
45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
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 Safety Compliance
Certification Label. The label shall be affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver’s seating position.
Special Loading Instructions for Owners of Pick-up Trucks and
Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING: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.
Load Carrying53
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items so they are centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down toward the vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional
information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up
for towing is noted underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter and
in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available at your authorized dealer.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration
listed in the chart below.
Note:Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not
exceed:
•60 feet
2(5.6 meters2) trailer frontal area.
Note:For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by
2% per 1000 feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot (300 meter)
elevation point.
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When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly,
additional caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire and wheel,
and seek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure
WARNING:When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the transmission selector lever is in
positionP.
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure to place the transmission selector lever in
positionP, set the parking brake and block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
WARNING:Never get underneath a vehicle that is supported
only by a jack. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone
else could be seriously injured.
WARNING:Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the
wheel.
WARNING:Always use the jack provided as original equipment
with your vehicle. If using a jack other than the one provided as
original equipment with your vehicle, make sure the jack capacity is
adequate for the vehicle weight, including any vehicle cargo or
modifications.
Wheels and Tires123
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lubrication specifications .......128
refill capacities ........................128
service points ......................84–85
Engine oil
checking and adding ................86
dipstick ......................................86
filter, specifications ................132
refill capacities ........................128
specifications ..........................128
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ............................29
F
Fail safe cooling ..........................90
Fluid capacities .........................128
Fuel
cap .............................................33
capacity ...................................128
choosing the right fuel .............32
filling your vehicle with fuel ....33
filter, specifications ..........97, 132
octane rating .....................32, 127
quality ........................................32
running out of fuel ...................32
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .......................30
Fuses ................................74–75, 79
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ..............33
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers ...........................63
Headlamps
flash to pass ..............................13
high beam .................................13I
Ignition .................................28, 127
Information displays ...................22
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ..........................................38
Instrument panel
cluster ........................................18
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ........64
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........28
L
Lamps
headlamps, flash to pass ..........13
Lights, warning and indicator ....18
Loading instructions ...................53
Load limits ...................................48
Lubricant specifications ...........128
Lug nuts ....................................126
M
Message center ...........................22
english/metric button ...............24
system check button ................24
warning messages .....................24
Motorcraftparts ......................132
O
Octane rating ..............................32
154Index
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P
Parking brake ..............................45
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........132
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................75
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ......96
fluid, refill capacity ................128
fluid, specifications .................128
R
Relays ..............................74–75, 78
Roadside assistance ....................62
S
Safety defects, reporting ............73
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............142
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................127, 132
Special notice ................................9
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................128
Starting your vehicle ..................28
jump starting ............................64
Steering wheel ............................11
tilting .........................................11
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................11
Tires ...................................104–105alignment ................................119
care ..........................................104
changing ..........................121, 123
checking the pressure ............114
inflating ...................................111
replacing ..................................117
rotating ....................................119
safety practices .......................118
snow tires and chains ............120
spare tire .................................121
terminology .............................106
tire grades ...............................105
treadwear ........................104, 116
Towing ...................................54, 59
trailer towing ............................54
wrecker ......................................59
Transmission ...............................39
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ......42
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................91
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
lubricant specifications ..........128
Turn signal ..................................15
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..................................132–133
Vehicle loading ............................48
Ventilating your vehicle .............29
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......18
Water, Driving through ...............61
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................12
Wrecker towing ...........................59
Index155
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