load capacity FORD AEROSTAR 1997 1.G Owners Manual

179 [GF16095(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not let the added driving traction of
E-4WD lead you to believe that you can stop
any quicker than a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle. The added traction performance
does not improve the braking ability of the
E-4WD vehicle. Allow the same amount of
distance when braking as with a two-wheel
drive vehicle.
[GF16096(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Your E-4WD Aerostar is a passenger
vehicle designed for on-road use; it is not
intended for any off-road use.
[GF16097(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
On-vehicle wheel balancing will cause
damage to the drivetrain of E-4WD
Aerostars.
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[GF28050(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[GF28101(ALL)01/96]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
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[GF28150(ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

181 [GF29250(ALL)01/96]
Standard length vehicles adapted for trailer tow
may require relocation of the underbody spare
tire. It is recommended that you secure the tire
under the rear-most seat using the hold-down
hardware located with the jack.
[GF29301(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0020268-A
Spare tire stowage (standard length model)
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[GF29350(ALL)01/96]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
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[GF29401(ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Loading/Towing
Information
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[GF29450(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by
weight, not volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire,
rim sizes and inflation pressures are specified for
your vehicle at the assembly plant on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. The Certification
Label is located on the left front door lock facing
or the door latch post pillar.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

185 %
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[GF30801(ALL)01/96]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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[GF30850(ALL)01/96]
We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded
down in the rear and riding high in the front.
This is a dangerous condition that usually means
that the rear suspension components are under
severe strain and that vehicle handling is
impaired. There is more to carrying a load than
just payload or GVWR.
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[GF30901(ALL)01/96]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not
only gives the GVWR, it also gives the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which is the
carrying capacity for each axle system. For
trucks, the rear axle will be designed to carry
more weight than the front.
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[GF30950(ALL)01/96]
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of
thelowest ratedaxle and suspension component
as well as other factors. This is why it's so
important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and
can lead to shortened service life or outright
failure.
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[GF31001(ALL)01/96]
The capacity of the tires is included as part of
the axle and suspension system, which is to be
considered when determining the lowest rated
component. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific maximum tire
pressure.
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[GF31050(ALL)01/96]
Passenger car type tires when installed on light
trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles are
rated at 10% lower load carrying capacity due to
the differences in vehicle usages.
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[GF31101(ALL)01/96]
The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front
and rear GAWR because the GVWR will be
exceeded. The GAWR of the front and rear axles
exceeds the GVWR when added together to
allow flexibility in fore and aft loading of cargo.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

189
that you can load 83 pounds (38 kgs) of options
on the front axle, add 150 pound (68 kgs)
passengers to all seating positions, and add
evenly distributed cargo in the box without
exceeding the GAWR F.
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[GF31950(ALL)01/96]
It is possible to hang heavier equipment on the
front as long as the vehicle owner/operator
compensates. This can be accomplished, if
necessary, by carrying fewer passengers, less
cargo or positioning cargo more toward the rear,
which has the effect of reducing the load on the
front. Keep in mind that the GAWR F, GAWR
R, nor the GVWR should ever be exceeded.
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[GF32001(ALL)06/96]
Total Accessory Reserve Capacity in Pounds
(kgs): If, for example, this value is given as 112
pounds (51 kgs), does this mean that you are
limited to adding 112 pounds (51 kgs) of
accessories to your vehicle? Yes, that is correct
for permanently installed accessories. This is a
number that is related to government crash test
standards. Therefore, no more than this weight
should be permanently installed on your vehicle.
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[GF32050(ALL)01/96]
In the case of both these numbers (83 and 112
pounds) (38 and 51 kgs), the important thing to
remember is that for safe operation, an
owner/operator should calculate the amount and
the distribution of all weights (passengers,
accessory equipment and cargo). These combined
weights should fall below the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR.
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[GF32201(ALL)01/96]
Trailers
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[GF32251(ALL)01/96]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper
weight on the tongue (usually 10% of the trailer
weight). Load-equalizing hitches on large rigs
may transfer weight to each of the vehicle's
axles. This weight must be included in capacity
calculations when determining if the vehicle is
loaded within safe limits.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

257
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[MC27851(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
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[MC27860(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of
the same size, type, load-carrying capacity,
and tread design (e.g. ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
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[MC27885(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh
performanceº tires or larger size tires.
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[MC27895(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the
vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
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[MC27900(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996