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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Trailer Brake Controller Connector (If
Equipped)
The connector is located under theinstrument panel above the brake pedal.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING: Never connect any trailerlamp wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring;this may damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, turn signals and hazard lights areworking.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up toget the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip. Whenturning, make wider turns so the trailerwheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly afteryou have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speed controlmay turn off automatically when you aretowing on long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
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•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy and transmissioncooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with atrailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3.Place the automatic transmission in park(P).
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back ofthe trailer wheels. Chocks are notincluded with your vehicle.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to riseabove the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge ofthe rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, andreliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,replace the rear axle lubricant. Water maycontaminate the rear axle lubricant, which isnot a normal maintenance inspection itemunless there is a possibility of a leak or otheraxle repair is required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR
WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (withoutaccess to wheel dollies or vehicle transporttrailer), it can be flat-towed (all wheels on theground, regardless of the powertrain andtransmission configuration) under thefollowing conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward for towingin a forward direction.
•Shift into neutral (N). If you cannot shiftthe transmission into neutral (N), you mayneed to override it. See Transmission(page 175).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
WARNING: If your vehicle has asteering wheel lock make sure the ignitionis in the accessory or on position whenbeing towed.
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Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering the vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 125).
Follow these guidelines if you have a needfor recreational (RV) towing. An example ofrecreational towing would be towing yourvehicle behind a motorhome. We designedthese guidelines to prevent damage to yourtransmission.
You can tow your 3.5L or 3.7L equippedvehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
•Start the engine and allow it to run forfive minutes at the beginning of each dayand every six hours thereafter. With theengine running and your foot on thebrake, shift into drive (D) and then intoreverse (R) before shifting back intoneutral (N).
1. Start the vehicle by pressing the brakepedal, and then pressing the keyless startbutton until the vehicle starts.
2. Press the brake pedal and shift thetransmission into neutral (N).
3. Switch your vehicle off by pressing thekeyless start button once.
4. Disconnect the negative (black) cablefrom the battery. You need the door keyto lock and unlock doors when thebattery cable is disconnected. SeeChanging the 12V Battery (page 295).
Note:The anti-theft system does not workuntil you reconnect the battery cable.
Start the engine within 15 minutes ofreconnecting the battery cable.
Front-wheel Drive Vehicles
Alternatively, you can tow your front-wheeldrive vehicle with the front wheels off theground by using a tow dolly, or with all fourwheels off the ground using a vehicletransport trailer. If you are using a tow dolly,follow the instructions specified by theequipment provider.
All-wheel Drive Vehicles
Alternatively, you can tow your all-wheeldrive vehicle with all four wheels off theground using a vehicle transport trailer. Donot tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with thefront wheels off the ground (by using a towdolly) and the rear wheels on the ground.This causes damage to your all-wheel drivesystem. If you are using a vehicle transporttrailer, follow the instruction specified by theequipment provider.
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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
Before driving through standing water, checkthe depth. Never drive through water that ishigher than the bottom of the front rockerarea of your vehicle.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle. Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do 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 that thesteering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING: Use a floor mat designedto fit the footwell of your vehicle that doesnot obstruct the pedal area. Failure tofollow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Pedals that cannot movefreely can cause loss of vehicle control andincrease the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Secure the floor mat toboth retention devices so that it cannot slipout of position and interfere with thepedals. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not place additionalfloor mats or any other covering on top ofthe original floor mats. This could result inthe floor mat interfering with the operationof the pedals. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Always make sure thatobjects cannot fall into the driver foot wellwhile your vehicle is moving. Objects thatare loose can become trapped under thepedals causing a loss of vehicle control.
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TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLEIf you need to tow your vehicle, contact aprofessional towing service or, if you are amember of a roadside assistance program,your roadside assistance service provider.
We recommend the use of a wheel lift anddollies or flatbed equipment to tow yourvehicle. Do not tow with a slingbelt. LincolnMotor Company does not approve a slingbelttowing procedure. If you tow your vehicleincorrectly, or by any other means, vehicledamage may occur.
Lincoln Motor Company produces a towingmanual for all authorized tow truck operators.Have your tow truck operator refer to thismanual for proper hook-up and towingprocedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to have your front-wheeldrive vehicle towed from the front if usingproper wheel lift equipment to raise the frontwheels off the ground. When towing in thismanner, the rear wheels can remain on theground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have thefront wheels placed on a tow dolly whentowing your vehicle from the rear usingwheel lift equipment. This prevents damageto the transmission.
Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle requiresthat all wheels be off the ground, such asusing a wheel lift and dollies or flatbedequipment. This prevents damage to thetransmission, all-wheel drive system andvehicle.
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Roadside EmergenciesE143886
Protected ComponentsFuse RatingFuse or Relay Number
Rear wipers.15A264
B+ #7 access circuit (limousine/livery).20A265
Powertrain control module – vehicle power relay.Relay66
Vehicle power #2 – oxygen sensor heater.20A267Mass airflow sensor.Variable camshaft timing solenoid valve.Canister vent solenoid.Canister purge solenoid.
Vehicle power #4 (ignition coils).20A268
Vehicle power 1 (powertrain control module).20A269
Vehicle power #3 (coil) – A/C clutch relay.15A270Fan control relay coils 1-3.Variable air conditioning compressor.Auxiliary transmission warmup.Turbo charge waste-gate control.Electronic compressor bypass valve.All-wheel drive module.Positive crankcase ventilation heater.
Not used.-71
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Fuses