
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
WARNING: Do not adjust the springbars so that your vehicle's rear bumper ishigher than before attaching the trailer.Doing so will defeat the function of theweight-distributing hitch, which may causeunpredictable handling, and could resultin serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using aweight-distributing hitch, always use thefollowing procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer, ona level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of yourvehicle’s front wheel opening on thefender. This is H1.
3.Attach the trailer to your vehicle withoutthe weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of yourvehicle’s front wheel opening on thefender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in theweight distributing bars so that the heightof the front fender is approximatelyhalfway between H1 and H2.
6.Check that the trailer is level. If not level,adjust the ball height accordingly andrepeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hookretainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross themunder the trailer tongue and allow enoughslack for turning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: Do not connect a trailer'shydraulic brake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehicle maynot have enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if you installthem properly and adjust them to themanufacturer's specifications. The trailerbrakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems arerequired for safe control of towed vehiclesand trailers weighing more than 1500 lb(680 kg) when loaded.
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Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 mi (480 km). During thistime, your vehicle may exhibit some unusualdriving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi(1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently andchange up through the gears early. Do notlabor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi(1,600 km).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several thingssuch as how you drive, the conditions youdrive under and how you maintain yourvehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind thatmay improve your fuel economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving (When runningerrands, go to the furthest destinationfirst and then work your way back home).
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds.
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance.
There are also some things you may want toavoid doing because they reduce your fueleconomy:
•Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
•Avoid revving the engine before turningoff the car.
•Avoid long idle periods.
•Do not warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Reduce the use of air conditioning andheat.
•Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
•Do not rest your foot on the brake pedalwhile driving.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
•Avoid adding particular accessories toyour vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,rollbars/light bars, running boards, skiracks).
•Avoid driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING: Do not drive throughflowing or deep water as you may losecontrol of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
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Driving Hints

OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood releasehandle located under the left-hand sideof the instrument panel.
2. Slightly lift the hood.
3. Release the hood latch by pushing thesecondary release lever to your left-handside.
4. Open the hood. The hood strutsautomatically support the hood.
Closing the Hood
1. Lower the hood and allow it to dropunder its own weight for the last 8–12 in(20–30 cm).
Note:Make sure that the hood is correctlyclosed.
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MaintenanceE235971
1 E235972 E202009
4

the material of the tire to degenerateand reduce tire life, and excessivetemperature can lead to sudden tirefailure. The grade C corresponds to alevel of performance which allpassenger car tires must meet under theFederal Motor Vehicle Safety StandardNo. 139. Grades B and A representhigher levels of performance on thelaboratory test wheel than the minimumrequired by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
*Tire label: A label showing the originalequipment tire sizes, recommendedinflation pressure and the maximumweight the vehicle can carry.
*Tire Identification Number (TIN): A
number on the sidewall of each tireproviding information about the tirebrand and manufacturing plant, tire sizeand date of manufacture. Also referredto as DOT code.
*Inflation pressure: A measure of theamount of air in a tire.
*Standard load: A class of P-metric orMetric tires designed to carry amaximum load at set pressure. Forexample: For P-metric tires 35 psi(2.4 bar) and for Metric tires 36 psi(2.5 bar). Increasing the inflationpressure beyond this pressure will notincrease the tire’s load carryingcapability.
*Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metrictires designed to carry a heaviermaximum load at 42 psi (2.9 bar).Increasing the inflation pressure beyondthis pressure will not increase the tire’sload carrying capability.
*kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of airpressure.
*PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
*Cold tire pressure: The tire pressurewhen the vehicle has been stationaryand out of direct sunlight for an hour ormore and prior to the vehicle beingdriven for 1 mi (1.6 km).
*Recommended inflation pressure: Thecold inflation pressure found on theSafety Compliance Certification Label(affixed to either the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver's seating position), or Tire Labellocated on the B-Pillar or the edge of thedriver door.
* B-pillar: The structural member at theside of the vehicle behind the front door.
*Bead area of the tire: Area of the tirenext to the rim.
* Sidewall of the tire: Area between thebead area and the tread.
*Tread area of the tire: Area of theperimeter of the tire that contacts the
road when mounted on the vehicle.
*Rim: The metal support (wheel) for atire or a tire and tube assembly uponwhich the tire beads are seated.
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Wheels and Tires

F. 95: Indicates the tire's load index. Itis an index that relates to how muchweight a tire can carry. You may find thisinformation in your owner’s manual. Ifnot, contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find this informationon all tires because it is not required byfederal law.
G. H: Indicates the tire's speed rating.The speed rating denotes the speed atwhich a tire is designed to be driven forextended periods of time under astandard condition of load and inflationpressure. The tires on your vehicle mayoperate at different conditions for loadand inflation pressure. These speedratings may need to be adjusted for thedifference in conditions. The ratings
range from 81 mph (130 km/h) to186 mph (299 km/h). These ratings arelisted in the following chart.
Note:You may not find this informationon all tires because it is not required byfederal law.
Speed ratingLetter rating
81 mph (130 km/h)M
87 mph (140 km/h)N
99 mph (159 km/h)Q
106 mph (171 km/h)R
112 mph (180 km/h)S
118 mph (190 km/h)T
124 mph (200 km/h)U
130 mph (210 km/h)H
149 mph (240 km/h)V
Speed ratingLetter rating
168 mph (270 km/h)W
186 mph (299 km/h)Y
Note:For tires with a maximum speed
capability over 149 mph (240 km/h), tire
manufacturers sometimes use the letters
ZR. For those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299 km/h), tire
manufacturers always use the letters
ZR.
H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number(TIN): This begins with the letters DOTand indicates that the tire meets allfederal standards. The next twonumbers or letters are the plant codedesignating where it was manufactured,
the next two are the tire size code andthe last four numbers represent theweek and year the tire was built. Forexample, the numbers 317 mean the 31stweek of 1997. After 2000, the numbers
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Wheels and Tires

The usage of a full-size dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly can lead toimpairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and brakingperformance.
•Comfort and noise.
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet weather driving capability.
•All-wheel driving capability.
When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly additionalcaution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer.
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camperbody.
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargorack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-sizedissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly andseek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure
WARNING: When one of the frontwheels is off the ground, the transmissionalone will not prevent the vehicle frommoving or slipping off the jack, even if thetransmission is in park (P).
WARNING: To help prevent yourvehicle from moving when changing awheel, shift the transmission into park (P),set the parking brake and use anappropriate block or wheel chock tosecure the wheel diagonally opposite tothe wheel being changed. For example,when changing the front left wheel, placean appropriate block or wheel chock onthe right rear wheel.
WARNING: No person should placeany portion of their body under a vehiclethat is supported by a jack.
WARNING: Do not attempt to changea tire on the side of the vehicle close tomoving traffic. Pull far enough off the roadto avoid the danger of being hit whenoperating the jack or changing the wheel.
WARNING: Always use the jackprovided as original equipment with yourvehicle. If using a jack other than the oneprovided, make sure the jack capacity isadequate for the vehicle weight, includingany vehicle cargo or modifications. If youare unsure if the jack capacity is adequate,contact the authorized dealer.
Note:Passengers should not remain in yourvehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Note:Jack at the specified locations to avoiddamage to the vehicle.
Note:If your vehicle came equipped with anextra full size wheel and tire assembly(placed in the cargo area), be sure to storethe wheel and tire assembly outside of thevehicle after delivery (livery vehicles only).
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Wheels and Tires

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
The vehicle identification number is locatedon the left-hand side of the instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic, XXXX isrepresentative of your vehicle identificationnumber.
The Vehicle Identification Number containsthe following information:
World manufacturer identifierA
Brake system, Gross VehicleWeight Rating, Restraint Devicesand their locations
B
Make, vehicle line, series, bodytypeC
Engine typeD
Check digitE
Model yearF
Assembly plantG
Production sequence numberH
VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL
The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration Regulations require that aSafety Compliance Certification Label beaffixed to a vehicle and prescribe where theSafety Compliance Certification Label maybe located. The Safety ComplianceCertification Label shall be affixed to eitherthe door hinge pillar, the door latch post, orthe edge of the door near the door latch,next to the driver's seating position.
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Capacities and SpecificationsE142476 E142477 E167469

For maximum vehicle performance, keep thefollowing information in mind when addingaccessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment,passengers and luggage to your vehicle,do not exceed the total weight capacityof the vehicle or of the front or rear axle(GVWR or GAWR as indicated on theSafety Compliance Certification label). Ask an authorized dealer for specificweight information.
•The Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) and Canadian RadioTelecommunications Commission (CRTC)regulate the use of mobilecommunications systems that areequipped with radio transmitters, forexample two-way radios, telephones andtheft alarms. Any such equipmentinstalled in your vehicle should complywith Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) and Canadian RadioTelecommunications Commission (CRTC)regulations and should be installed onlyby an authorized dealer.
•An authorized dealer needs to installmobile communications systems.Improper installation may harm theoperation of your vehicle, particularly ifthe manufacturer did not design themobile communication systemspecifically for automotive use.
•If you or an authorized dealer add anynon-Ford electrical accessories orcomponents to your vehicle, you mayadversely affect battery performance anddurability. In addition, you may alsoadversely affect the performance of otherelectrical systems in the vehicle.
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Accessories