towing FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1996 1.G Owners Manual

184
*
[DR14200( ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR14300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
[DR14400( ALL)07/93]
The parking brake system is designed for static
parking only and is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
% [DR14415( GV)05/94]Rear Air Suspension System
(If equipped)
[DR14425( GV)10/90]
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
load leveling rear air suspension system, it will
maintain the rear vehicle height at a constant
level by automatically adding air or releasing air
from the rear air springs to offset changes in
vehicle loads.
[DR14430( GV)03/94]
A shutoff switch is located in the trunk on the
right hand vertical trim panel. If this switch is in
the OFF position, the automatic leveling system
will not operate. The switch should be OFF
whenever jacking up or towing the vehicle. If
you have the mechanical cluster, ªAIR SUSPº
will appear in the cluster, if you have an
electronic cluster, ªCHECK AIR SUSPENSIONº
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185
will appear in the message center when the
ignition switch is in the ON position, and either
the shutoff switch is in the OFF position, or a
system fault has been detected.
*
[DR14440( GV)01/95]
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
*
[DR14450( GV)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles equipped with Air
Suspension, turn OFF the Air Suspension
switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
[DR14460( GV)03/92]
half page art:0010164-A
The air suspension switch Ð located on the right-hand
vertical trim panel
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190
*
[DR17539( ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load
or remove cargo accordingly.
*
[DR17542( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's
load or carrying weight in excess of the
amount shown on the tire decal can cause
rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
%
*
[DR17600( GV)01/95]
Trailer Towing (may require
trailer tow option package)
*
[DR17650( ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
*
[DR17700( ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
*
[DR17800( ALL)01/95]
q
Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (SeeTrailer towing specificationsin this
chapter.)
*
[DR17900( ALL)01/95]
q
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
*
[DR18000( ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[DR18100( ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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191
*
[DR18175( ALL)01/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
*
[DR18250( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary
spare tire is being used.
[DR18300( ALL)12/94]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the optional equipment
on your vehicle. See the following chart.
% [DR18400( ALL)03/90]
Trailer towing specifications
[DR19000( V)05/95]
ten pica chart:0011371-AFile:rcdrv.ex
Update:Wed Jan 31 10:36:47 1996

192
*
[DR20900( ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
*
[DR21000( ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[DR21100( ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
*
[DR21125( ALL)01/95]
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
%*
[DR21150( ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
[DR21350( V)05/95]
Your vehicle uses one of two types of hitches
(Class III hitch is an option available in Canada
only), depending on how much your trailer
weighs. The Class I hitch will allow you to tow
a trailer weighing up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg.).
Because this type of hitch places the tongue load
of a trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle,
you must distribute the load in your trailer so
that only 10 to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
[DR21500( V)05/95]
A Class III hitch and the optional trailer tow III
package (option available in Canada only) will
allow you to tow a trailer weighing up to to
5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg). This type of hitch
distributes the tongue load of a trailer evenly
between the front and rear wheel of your vehicle
and the trailer wheels.
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196 %
*
[DR22600( ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
*
[DR22650( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
*
[DR22800( GV)01/95]
When you tow down steep grades, move the
gearshift to 1 (Low). It gives more engine
braking to slow your vehicle than Drive on the
downgrades.
*
[DR22900( GV)01/95]
If you tow in D (Overdrive) while riding
through hilly country, your vehicle may
frequently shift between Overdrive and Third
gears. To prevent your vehicle from shifting too
much, press the Transmission Control Switch
located on the shift lever. This will also give the
engine more power going up hills and better
engine braking going down hills.
%*
[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
*
[DR23100( ALL)01/95]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[DR23200( ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
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205 %
*
[RE07300( ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07525( BCGV)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
[RE07550( BCGV)05/95]
When one of the back wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not prevent the
vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheel (both directions) that is diagonally
opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
*
[RE07560( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
[RE07655( GV)12/94]
Turn off the air suspension switch (if equipped)
prior to jacking.
*
[RE07657( GV)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles equipped with Air
Suspension, turn OFF the Air Suspension
switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
[RE07660( GV)05/92]
quarter page art:0010573-A
The air suspension switch Ð located in the trunk
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206
*
[RE07875( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
*
[RE07900( ALL)05/95]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE07960( GV)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles equipped with Air
Suspension, turn OFF the Air Suspension
switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
[RE08050( GV)06/92]
3. Remove any optional wheel covers or wheel
ornaments with the tapered end of a wheel
nut wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench
and twist it against the inner wheel cover
flange. For more about removing wheel
covers, see the information later in this
section.
*
[RE08125( GV)01/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts.
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213
%*
[RE14100( ALL)05/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
*
[RE14201( ALL)05/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center.
Recommended towing options include wheel lift
towing or flat bed towing.
*
[RE14205( GV)01/96]
Before your vehicle can be towed, the air
suspension switch in the luggage compartment
needs to be turned to the OFF position. It is
recommended that your Crown Victoria be
towed with wheel lift or flatbed equipment. If
slingbelt equipment must be used, the towbar
will deform the soft fascia (bumper). However, it
will return to an acceptable shape.
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214
*
[RE14300( ALL)05/95]
three fourths page art:0001463-A
*
[RE14400( ALL)05/95]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
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Update:Thu Feb 1 10:47:30 1996