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LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with andwithout a Trailer
This section guides you in theproper loading of your vehicle,trailer, or both. Keep your loadedvehicle weight within its designrating capability, with or withouta trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle provides maximum returnof vehicle design performance.Before you load your vehicle,become familiar with thefollowing terms for determiningyour vehicle’s weight rating, withor without a trailer, from thevehicle’s Tire and LoadingInformation label or SafetyCompliance Certification label.
Tire and Loading Label InformationExample:
Payload
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Payload is the combined weightof cargo and passengers that yourvehicle is carrying. The maximumpayload for your vehicle appearson the Tire and Loading label. Thelabel is either on the B-pillar or theedge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US andCanada may not have a tire andloading label. Look for “Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg OR XXX lb” for maximumpayload. The payload listed on theTire and Loading Information labelis the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assemblyplant. If you install any additionalequipment on your vehicle, youmust determine the new payload.Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listedon the Tire and Loading label.When towing, trailer tongueweight or king pin weight is alsopart of payload.
WARNING
The appropriate loadingcapacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volumecapacity (how much space isavailable) or by payload capacity(how much weight the vehicleshould carry). Once you havereached the maximum payload ofyour vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is spaceavailable. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehicle
can contribute to loss of vehiclecontrol and vehicle rollover.
GAWR (Gross Axle WeightRating)
GAWR is the maximum allowableweight that a single axle (front orrear) can carry. These numbersare on the Safety ComplianceCertification label. The label islocated on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post,next to the driver seating position.
The total load on each axle mustnever exceed its Gross AxleWeight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle WeightRating)
GVWR is the maximum allowableweight of the fully loaded vehicle.This includes all options,equipment, passengers and cargo.It appears on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.The label is located on the doorhinge pillar, door-latch post, or thedoor edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driverseating position.
The gross vehicle weight mustnever exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating.
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Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
WARNING
Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certificationlabel vehicle weight rating limitscould result in substandardvehicle handling or performance,engine, transmission and/orstructural damage, seriousdamage to the vehicle, loss ofcontrol and personal injury.
Maximum Loaded TrailerWeight
Maximum loaded trailer weight isthe highest possible weight of afully loaded trailer the vehicle cantow. Consult an authorized dealer(or the RV and Trailer TowingGuide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailedinformation.
GCWR (Gross CombinedWeight Rating)
GCWR is the maximum allowableweight of the vehicle and theloaded trailer, including all cargoand passengers, that the vehiclecan handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is ratedfor operation at Gross VehicleWeight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight mustnever exceed the Gross CombinedWeight Rating.
Note: For trailer towinginformation refer to the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer.
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance Certificationlabel.
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WARNINGS
Do not use replacement tireswith lower load carryingcapacities than the original tiresbecause they may lower yourvehicle’s GVWR and GAWRlimitations. Replacement tireswith a higher limit than the originaltires do not increase the GVWRand GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weightrating limitation could resultin serious damage to your vehicle,personal injury or both.
Steps for determining thecorrect load limit:
1. Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combinedweight of the driver andpassengers that will be ridingin your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weightof the driver and passengersfrom XXX kg or XXX lb.
4.The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. Forexample, if the “XXX” amountequals 1,400 lb. and there willbe five 150 lb. passengers inyour vehicle, the amount ofavailable cargo and luggageload capacity is 650 lb.(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combinedweight of luggage and cargobeing loaded on the vehicle.That weight may not safelyexceed the available cargo andluggage load capacitycalculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailerwill be transferred to yourvehicle. Consult this manual todetermine how this reduces theavailable cargo and luggageload capacity of your vehicle.
Helpful examples for calculatingthe available amount of cargoand luggage load capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargoand luggage capacity. You decideto go golfing. Is there enough loadcapacity to carry you, four of yourfriends and all the golf bags? Youand four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each andthe golf bags weigh approximately30 pounds (13.5 kilograms) each.The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100- 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you have
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enough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friendsand your golf bags. In metric units,the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (5 x 99 kilograms) -(5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 - 495 -67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
Suppose your vehicle has a1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargoand luggage capacity. You andone of your friends decide to pickup cement from the local homeimprovement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning forthe past two years. Measuring theinside of the vehicle with the rearseat folded down, you have roomfor twelve 100-pound(45-kilogram) bags of cement. Doyou have enough load capacity totransport the cement to yourhome? If you and your friend eachweigh 220 pounds (99 kilograms),the calculation would be: 1400 -(2 x 220) - (12 x 100) = 1400 - 440- 1200 = - 240 pounds. No, you donot have enough cargo capacityto carry that much weight. Inmetric units, the calculation wouldbe: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) =635 - 198 - 540 = -103 kilograms.You will need to reduce the loadweight by at least 240 pounds(104 kilograms). If you removethree 100-pound (45-kilogram)cement bags, then the loadcalculation would be:1400 - (2 x220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 -900 = 60 pounds. Now you have
the load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. Inmetric units, the calculation wouldbe: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (9 x 45 kilograms) =635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kilograms.
The above calculations alsoassume that the loads arepositioned in your vehicle in amanner that does not overloadthe front or the rear gross axleweight rating specified for yourvehicle on the Safety ComplianceCertification label.
Special Loading Instructionsfor Owners of Pick-up Trucksand Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING
Loaded vehicles may handledifferently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions,such as slower speeds andincreased stopping distance, whendriving a heavily loaded vehicle.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING
Never tow a trailer with aFusion Hybrid. Thispowertrain is not designed to tow.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled(without access to wheel dollies,car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transportvehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheelson the ground, regardless of thepowertrain/transmission configuration)under the following conditions:
•The vehicle is facing forward so that itis towed in a forward direction.
•Shift the transmission into neutral (N).If you cannot shift the transmission intoneutral (N), you may need to overridethe shifter and enable Stay in Neutralmode. Failing to do so may result indamage to the transmission. SeeTransmission (page 175).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering your vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 119).
Follow these guidelines if you have a needfor recreational (RV) towing. An exampleof recreational towing would be towingyour vehicle behind a motorhome. Theseguidelines are designed to ensure that yourtransmission is not damaged.
Your vehicle can be towed with all fourwheels on the ground using the Stay inNeutral mode feature, or with all fourwheels off the ground using a vehicletransport trailer. If you are using a vehicletransport trailer, follow the instructionspecified by the equipment provider.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the vehicle in Stay in Neutralmode. See Automatic Transmission(page 175).
•Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
Note:If the parking brake is applied, amessage appears in the information display.
Note:Start the engine and allow it to runfor a few minutes at the beginning of eachday, and every six hours or fewer. With theengine running and your foot on the brake,shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R)before shifting back into neutral (N).Beforecontinuing to tow, you must re-enableStay in Neutral mode.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 mi (480 km). Duringthis time, your vehicle may exhibit someunusual driving characteristics. The enginealso needs to break in. Avoid hardaccelerations and driving too fast for thefirst 1,000 mi (1,600 km). If possible, avoidcarrying heavy loads up steep gradesduring the break-in period.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy depends on:
•How you drive your vehicle.
•How you maintain your vehicle.
•The conditions you drive your vehiclein.
You may improve your fuel economy bykeeping these in mind:
•Drive your vehicle at reasonablespeeds. Traveling at 65 mph(105 km/h) uses about 15% less fuelthan traveling at 75 mph (121 km/h).
•Drive at steady speeds withoutstopping.
•Anticipate stops. Slowing down yourvehicle may eliminate the need to stop.
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Switch off the heater if you do not needit. When you have the heater on, keepit at the lowest blower andtemperature setting necessary to becomfortable.
•When it is cold outside, park in a sunnylocation or a climate-controlledenvironment. This may save fuel byreducing the energy needed to heat thecabin.
•Switch off the air conditioning if you donot need it. When you have the airconditioning on, keep it at the lowestblower and highest temperaturesetting necessary to be comfortable.
•When it is hot or sunny outside, parkingin a shaded or climate-controlledenvironment will save fuel by reducingthe energy needed to cool the cabin.
•Switch off the heated seats if you arenot using them.
•Switch off the defroster when you nolonger need it for visibility.
•Shift into low gear (L) when enhancedengine braking is needed. Otherwise,use drive gear (D) shift position.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving. A warmed upengine works more efficiently. Whenrunning errands, go to the farthestdestination first and then work yourway back home.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Use the recommended engine oil. SeeCapacities and Specifications (page308).
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 473).
•Use the coach and brake coach displayto get feedback on your economicaldrive style. See Information Displays(page 97).
Avoid these actions because they reduceyour fuel economy:
•Avoid sudden or hard accelerations anddecelerations. Accelerate and slowdown in a smooth, moderate fashion.
•Avoid revving the engine beforeswitching off your vehicle.
•Avoid long idle periods.
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•Do not warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Do not rest your foot on the brakepedal while driving.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.Approximately 1 mi (1.6 km) per gallonor 0.2 mi (0.4 km) per liter is lost forevery 400 lb (180 kg) of weight carried.
•Avoid adding accessories that increaseaerodynamic drag to your vehicle suchas bug deflectors, car top carriers andski or bike racks.
•Avoid driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
Things to keep in mind when you refuelyour vehicle:
•Fuel generates fewer vapors when it iscool and dark outside. Refuel yourvehicle in the early morning or lateevening.
•Use the recommended octane-ratedfuel. Using fuel below therecommended rating will lower yourfuel economy.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deepwater as you may lose control of yourvehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,check the depth. Never drive through waterthat is higher than the bottom of the frontrocker area of your vehicle.
When driving through standing water,switch the engine off and drive through inEV mode, if available.
Drive very slowly and do not stop yourvehicle. Your brake performance andtraction may be limited. After drivingthrough water and as soon as it is safe todo so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check thatthe steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Use a floor mat designed to fit thefootwell of your vehicle that does notobstruct the pedal area. Failure tofollow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
Pedals that cannot move freely cancause loss of vehicle control andincrease the risk of serious personalinjury.
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