towing FORD E-250 2000 User Guide

Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle on a
trip behind a Motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need
for recreational towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged.
2WD vehicles (with automatic transmissions)
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
²Maximum speed is 56 km (35 mph)
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles)
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km (35 mph) must be
exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission/transmission
vent tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission
and cause internal transmission damage.
Driving
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GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford offers a
complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is separate
from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing to the nearest Ford of Canada or Ford Motor Company
dealership, or towing to your selling dealership if within 56 km
(35 miles). Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting
stuck in the mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such
as impound towing or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, it is found in
the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States for Ford or Mercury
vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford will
reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain information about
reimbursement, call 1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
Call 1±800±665±2006 in Canada.
Roadside emergencies
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WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. However, a slingbelt with T-hooks can also be used.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air dam and must be towed from the
front, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or
flatbed equipment to prevent damage to the air dam.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
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Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and care
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Ford Extended Service Plan
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items)
²protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty
expires
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln/
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your
dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln/Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options.
Getting the service you need
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. When you need warranty repairs your selling dealer
would like you to return to it for that service, but you may also take your
vehicle to another Ford Motor Company dealership authorized for
warranty repairs. Certain warranty repairs require special training
though, so not all dealers are authorized to perform all warranty repairs.
That means that depending on the warranty repair needed, the vehicle
may need to be taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership can not
assist you, then contact the Customer Assistance Center.
Customer assistance
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engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........15
fuel gauge ..................................14
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................14
trip odometer ............................16
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....118
calculating ...............................120
definition .................................118
driving with a heavy load ......118
location ....................................118
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............118
calculating ........................118,120
definition .................................118
driving with a heavy load ......118
location ....................................118
Hazard flashers .........................128
Headlamps ...................................17
aiming ......................................193
bulb specifications ..................193
daytime running lights .............17
flash to pass ..............................18
high beam ............................13,17
replacing bulbs ................188,190
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................18
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................23
heater only system ...................18
heating and
air conditioning system ............20
Hood ..........................................151
Ignition .......................................206
positions of the ignition ...........58
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..95
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................187Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................197
cluster .................................10,197
lighting up
panel and interior .....................18
location of components ............10
Jump-starting your vehicle ......144
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........58
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................193
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........18
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps ...........................65
replacing bulbs ..188,190,191,192
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................59
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,110
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................13
engine oil pressure ...................13
high beam .................................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................118
GAWR ......................................118
GVWR ......................................118
trailer towing ..........................118
Loading instructions .................119
Lubricant specifications ....203,206
Lumbar support, seats ...............73
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......67
Index
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Motorcraft parts .................183,199
Octane rating ............................181
Odometer .....................................16
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................152
Overdrive .....................................64
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................68
Parking brake ............................111
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....199
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................134
Power door locks ........................66
Power steering ..........................112
fluid, checking and adding ....164
fluid, refill capacity ................200
fluid, specifications ..........203,206
Preparing to
drive your vehicle .....................113
Radio ............................................25
Relays .................................130,137
Remote entry system ............67,68
illuminated entry ......................70
locking/unlocking doors ...........68
panic alarm ...............................68
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................70
replacing the batteries .............69
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................13,77,79,80,81
Safety defects, reporting ..........222
Safety restraints ...........77,79,80,81
belt minder ...............................84
cleaning the safety belts ...87,198
extension assembly ..................83
for adults .........................79,80,81
for children ..........................93,94
lap belt ......................................82
warning
light and chime ...............12,13,83
Safety seats for children ............95
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............77Seats ............................................71
child safety seats ......................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............150
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................199,206
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............4
diesel-powered vehicles .............5
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................203,206
Speed control ..............................59
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle .........104,106
jump starting ..........................144
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................63
Tilt steering wheel ......................63
Tires ......................137,174,175,176
changing ...........................137,138
checking the pressure ............176
replacing ...........................140,177
rotating ....................................176
snow tires and chains ............178
tire grades ...............................175
treadwear ................................175
Towing ................................120,176
recreational towing .................126
trailer towing ..........................120
wrecker ....................................149
Traction-lok rear axle ...............113
Transmission .............................114
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................165
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
lubricant specifications ...203,206
Transmission
control indicator light .................12
Trip odometer .............................16
Turn signal .............................13,59
Vehicle dimensions ...................206
Index
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Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................209
Vehicle loading ..........................118
Ventilating your vehicle ...........108
Warning chimes ......................13,14
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................157
Water, Driving through .............126
Windows
power .........................................65Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....157
checking and cleaning ............173
operation ...................................63
replacing wiper blades ...........174
Wrecker towing .........................149
Index
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