2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR warning

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 your vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note: For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuses chapter.
The load capacity of your vehicle is designated by weight not volume.
You may not necessarily be able to use all available space when loading
your vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components before, during
and after towing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when
driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items 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 your 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. You can
find more information about proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing under Load limitin theLoad Carrying chapter.
You can also find information in the RV and Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized dealer.
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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
WARNING:Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of
loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death. Ford does not
recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed
reduction may be detrimental (such as hill climbing), the driver has
significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and
maintain safe operation.
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it
begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may turn
on multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if
necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the
stability control light flashes and the message TRAILER SWAY
REDUCE SPEED appears in the information display. The first thing to
do is slow your vehicle down, then pull safely to the side of the road and
check for proper tongue load and trailer load distribution. See the Load
Carrying chapter for specific loading information.
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:
• 36.5 feet
2(3.39 meters2) trailer frontal area for vehicles equipped
with the standard towing package.
• 60.0 feet
2(5.57 meters2) trailer frontal area for vehicles equipped
with the optional Heavy Duty package.
Note: Exceeding this limitation may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a low
aerodynamic drag and rounded front design helps optimize performance
and fuel economy.
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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Trailer Hitch Cover
Your vehicle is equipped with a removable trailer hitch trim cover. To
remove the trim cover:1. Loosen the two quarter-turn
fasteners in the bottom of the cover
by turning them counterclockwise.
Pull the cover downward to remove
it. The fasteners remain attached to
the cover.
2. To reinstall the cover, insert the
four plastic tabs on top of the cover
into the corresponding slots, as
shown in the illustration and push
the cover up into the bumper trim.
3. Hold the cover against the bumper trim and reinstall the two
quarter-turn fasteners by turning them clockwise.
Hitches
WARNING: The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part of the vehicle
rear crash safety structure. Do not remove the trailer hitch.
Failure to follow this warning could compromise vehicle crash structure
and increase the risk of injury in a rear end crash.
Do not use a hitch that clamps onto your vehicle’s bumper. Use a
load-carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Integrated Hitch Rating
WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight
exceeds the limit of the towing system and could result in vehicle
structural damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
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The standard integrated hitch has two ratings depending on mode of
operation:
•Weight-carrying mode requires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw
bar supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
• Weight-distributing mode requires an aftermarket weight-distributing
system, which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. This system distributes the vertical tongue load of the trailer
between the truck and the trailer.
Mode Maximum trailer
weight Maximum tongue
weight
Weight-carrying 6300 lb (2857 kg) 630 lb (285 kg)
Weight-distributing 9000 lb (4082 kg) 900 lb (408 kg)
Note: These are hitch ratings only. Actual vehicle ratings are dependent
on engine, transmission and axle combinations.
Weight-distributing Hitch – Vehicles without Automatic Leveling
Suspension
WARNING: Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward your vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat
Steps 2–6.
Once the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle:
• Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
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•Check that the trailer tongue securely attaches and locks onto the
hitch.
• Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by
law or the trailer manufacturer.
Weight-distributing Hitch – Vehicles with Automatic Leveling
Suspension
WARNING: Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
Note: If you do not move the loaded vehicle for approximately 12 hours,
the leveling system may bleed down to a lower height. This can be
especially apparent if you leave a trailer attached to the parked vehicle
for long periods. You must drive your vehicle in order to re-level the
suspension.
When connecting a trailer to a vehicle with automatic leveling suspension
using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure:
1. Load the interior of the vehicle to a weight similar to that which you intend to carry when towing. This includes things such as passenger
weight and cargo.
2. Drive the vehicle for approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) to re-level the suspension.
3. Park your vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender. This is H1.
5. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected.
6. Make sure you securely attach and lock the trailer tongue to the hitch.
7. Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by law or the trailer manufacturer.
8. Drive the vehicle and trailer at 20–25 mph (32–40 km/h) for approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) to re-level the suspension.
9. Park your vehicle and trailer on a level surface.
10. Measure the height to the top of your vehicles front wheel opening on the fender a second time. This is H2.
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11. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so thatthe height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
12. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle. If it is not, remove the trailer, adjust the ball height
accordingly, and repeat Steps 5 -11.
Once the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle:
• Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
• Check that the trailer tongue securely attaches and locks onto the
hitch.
• Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by
law or the trailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if you install them properly and adjust them to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle’s braking system operation is at
the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight
rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
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Trailer Lamps
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the
vehicle’s tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
the gearshift in position Pto aid engine and transmission cooling and
to help air conditioning performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking
and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
• If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac™ with RSC, this system
may turn on during typical cornering maneuvers with a heavily loaded
trailer. This is normal. Turning the corner at a slower speed while
towing may reduce this tendency.
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Recovery Hooks
WARNING:Using recovery hooks is dangerous and should only
be done by a person familiar with proper vehicle recovery safety
practices. Improper use of recovery hooks may cause hook failure or
separation from the vehicle and could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Always slowly remove the slack from the recovery
strap prior to pulling. Failure to do so can introduce significantly
higher loads which can cause the recovery hooks to break off, or the
recovery strap to fail which can cause serious injury or death.
WARNING: Never link two straps together with a clevis pin.
These heavy metal objects could become projectiles if the strap
breaks and can cause serious injury or death.
Your vehicle may come equipped with frame-mounted front recovery
hooks. These hooks should never have a load applied to them greater
than the gross vehicle weight rating of your vehicle.
Before using recovery hooks:
• Make sure all attaching points are secure and capable of withstanding
the applied load.
• Never use chains, cables or tow straps with metal hook ends.
• Only use recovery straps that have a minimum breaking strength two
to three times the gross vehicle weight of the stuck vehicle.
• Make sure the recovery strap is in good condition and free of visible
cuts, tears or damage.
• Use a damper device such as a tarp, heavy blanket or piece of carpet
draped over the recovery strap to help absorb the energy in the event
the strap breaks.
• Make sure the stuck vehicle is not loaded heavier than its gross
vehicle weight rating specified on the certification label.
• Always align the tow vehicle and stuck vehicle in a straight line
(within 10 degrees).
• Keep bystanders to the sidesof the vehicle, at a distance of at least
twice the length of the recovery strap. This helps avoid injury from
the hazard of a recovery hook or strap breaking, or a vehicle lurching
into their path.
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