
Tire and Loading Label InformationExample:
Payload
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 label
is 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: Theappropriate loading capacity ofyour vehicle can be limited eitherby volume capacity (how muchspace is available) or by payloadcapacity (how much weight thevehicle should carry). Once youhave reached the maximumpayload of your vehicle, do notadd more cargo, even if there isspace available. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehiclecan 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.
278
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingLoad CarryingE198719

be 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.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lowerload carrying capacities than theoriginal tires because they maylower your vehicle's GVWR andGAWR limitations. Replacementtires with a higher limit than theoriginal tires do not increase theGVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating canadversely affect theperformance and handling ofyour vehicle, cause vehicledamage and can result in theloss of control of your vehicle,serious personal injury or death.
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-(5 x 150) = 1400-750 =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 the
available cargo and luggageload capacity of your vehicle.
280
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingLoad Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximumrecommended gross trailerweight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rolloverand personal injury.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
Note: See RecommendedTowing Weights (page 284).
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 305).
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with thecorrect rise or drop and loadcapacity. When both theloaded vehicle and trailer areconnected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page277).
You can also find information inthe RV & Trailer Towing Guideavailable at your authorizeddealer, or online.
283
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingTowing

•Use commercial car washingequipment.
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tireslisted above at any one wheel location canlead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and brakingperformance.
•Comfort and noise.
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet weather driving capability.
•Four-wheel driving capability.
3.Full-size dissimilar spare withoutlabel on wheel.
When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly, do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
•Use more than one dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly at a time.
•Use commercial car washingequipment.
•Use snow chains on the end of thevehicle with the dissimilar spare wheeland tire assembly.
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.
•Four-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 acamper body.
•Driving vehicles with a load on thecargo rack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-sizedissimilar spare wheel and tire assemblyand seek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure
WARNING: The jack supplied withthis vehicle is only intended for changingwheels. Do not use the vehicle jack otherthan when you are changing a wheel inan emergency.
WARNING: Check that the vehiclejack is not damaged or deformed andthe thread is lubricated and clean.
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,place an appropriate block or wheelchock on the right rear 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,including any vehicle cargo ormodifications. If you are unsure if the jackcapacity is adequate, contact theauthorized dealer.
371
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingWheels and Tires