FORD CONTOUR 2000 2.G Owners Manual

Driving
131 GCW (Gross Combined Weight)
The GCW is the maximum
combined weight of the towing
vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) and the loaded trailer. The
GCW is specified by the
manufacturer to indicate the
combined maximum loaded weight
that the vehicle is designed to tow. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
Carrying capacity for each axle
system (front and rear). The
GAWR is specific to each vehicle
and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on
the driver’s door pillar. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
Maximum total weight of the base
vehicle, passengers, optional
equipment, and cargo. The GVWR
is specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s
door pillar.
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Driving
132
Payload = GVWR minus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1 000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.
-9%
-6%
-3% 900 m
(3000 ft)
600 m
(2000 ft)
300 m
(1000 ft)
0
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label.
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Driving
133
It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
Driving with a heavy load
The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.
The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.
The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle.
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Driving
134TRAILER TOWING
For vehicles equipped with 2.0 L
engines and automatic transaxles,
an auxiliary cooler must be
installed prior to trailer towing to
protect the power steering and
transaxle system.
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454 kg (1 000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45 kg (100 lbs). The trailer
should also have 2.3 sq. meters
(25 sq. feet) or less frontal area. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
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Driving
135 Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
• Stay within your vehicle’s load
limits.
• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
towin this chapter.
• Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailerin
this chapter.
• Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide”.
• Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
• Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
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Driving
136Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system if you
are planning on:
• Traveling farther than 80 km
(50 miles).
• Towing in hilly terrain.
• Towing frequently.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transaxle
damage, structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer to Loading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.
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Driving
137 Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that:
• Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.
• Attach to the axle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.
Using trailer lamps
See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicle’s wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.
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Driving
138Using trailer brakes
Use electric brakes or manual,
automatic or surge type hydraulic
brakes that meet federal and local
regulations. Install and adjust
brakes according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Using safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the chains, cross the chains under
the trailer tongue and attach to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers
(not the bumper). Make sure there
is enough slack to allow the vehicle
to turn corners.
Do not connect a trailer’s
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your
chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
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Driving
139
Driving while towing a trailer
Do not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly terrain or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transaxle:
• Use D (Drive) or a low gear
rather than D (Overdrive) by
depressing the TCS button on the
underside of the gearshift lever,
while towing up or down steep
inclines.
• Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
If driving with a manual transaxle:
• Select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.
• Avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. If you need to drive
excessively in first or second gear,
the trailer may be too big or too
heavily loaded for the vehicle
drivetrain.
• Shift to a lower gear while
towing up or down steep hills.
• Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
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Driving
140FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
• lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance,
• excessive speed,
• rapid acceleration,
• driving with the brake pedal
depressed,
• sudden stops,
• extended engine idling,
• use of speed control in hilly
terrain,
• extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear window
defroster and other accessories,
• underinflated tires,
• heavy loads,
• aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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