towing FORD E SERIES 1997 4.G User Guide

bumpers have a Class III capability
(2,270 kg [5,000 lb] trailer weight
and 227 kg [500 lb] tongue weight.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between
your vehicle and trailer. Cross
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
Connect safety chains to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers.
Never attach chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Trailer brakes are required on
most towed vehicles weighing over
680 kg (1,500 lbs)
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.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to Federal
and local regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
the proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a trailer. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h (45
mph) with a trailer while towing in
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Driving
96

hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on very long, steep
grades.
When towing a trailer
If towing a trailer and your vehicle
is not equipped with the Ford
trailer tow package, an auxiliary
transmission fluid cooler is
recommended.
²Use D (Drive) rather than
D(Overdrive) while towing up
or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting
and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
²Allow more room for stopping
with a trailer attached.
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle/trailer
combination.
²When turning, drive slightly
beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs and other obstacles.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
to increase idle speed. This aids
engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
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Driving
97

must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
²After you have travelled about
80 km (50 miles), thoroughly
check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break
higher than 15 cm (six inches)
above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.
Servicing when towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Follow the severe duty
maintenance schedule outlined in
the ªService Guide.º
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Driving
98

Do not connect the end of
the second cable to the
negative ([-]) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark
may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.
Jump starting
1. Start the booster vehicle and
run the engine at moderately
increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
3. Once the engine has been
started, run both vehicles for a
further three minutes before
disconnecting the leads.
Removing the jumper cables
1. Remove the jumper cables in
reverse order. Take the cable off
the metallic surface (1) first,
followed by the cable on the
negative (-) booster battery
terminal (2).
2. Remove the cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery (3) and then the
discharged battery (4).
3. After the disabled vehicle has
been started, allow it to idle for a
while so the engine can ªrelearnº
its idle conditions.
+–
+–
2
3
4
1
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Roadside emergencies
122

WRECKER TOWING
The recommended method to tow
your vehicle is with flatbed or
wheel lift equipment. However,
slingbelt towing is acceptable. On
vehicles equipped with an air dam,
the towbar will deform the rubber
air dam.
Never use a tow bar that
attaches to the bumper
when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and
cause an accident.
Roadside emergencies
123

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the full
mark on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following
kilometers (mileage) and time
requirements, whichever occurs
first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule ± 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
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Maintenance and care
133

Idle
relearning ................................145
Ignition .........................................23
Inspection
maintenance testing ...............164
Jump-starting your vehicle 120,122
attaching cables ......................121
disconnecting cables ..............122
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................30
courtesy lamps ..........................31
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ...............................8
door ajar ....................................10
engine oil pressure ...................10
high beam .................................10
safety belt ...................................9
Load limits
trailer towing ............................89
Lubricant specifications ...........175
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................24
Parking brake
operation ..............................81,82
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....174
Power features
door locks ..................................32
mirrors .......................................31
Power point electrical outlet .....17
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....140
Refill capacities for fluids ........174
Relays .................................102,111
Remote entry system .................34
locking/unlocking doors ...........34
panic alarm ...............................35
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................36replacing the batteries .............35
Reporting safety defects ..........183
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts .........49
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................47
extension assembly ..................50
for children ...............................58
lap and shoulder belts .............45
maintenance ..............................51
proper use .................................43
warning light and chime ..........51
Safety seats for children
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .......................61,62,66
Seats ............................................37
adjusting the seat, manual .......37
adjusting the seat, power ........38
bench seat .................................39
lumbar support .........................39
quick release rear captain's
chair ...........................................41
Servicing your vehicle ..............124
precautions when servicing ...124
Special notice ................................2
ambulance conversions ..............2
diesel-powered vehicles .............3
Speed control ..............................28
accelerating ...............................29
resetting ....................................29
resuming a set speed ...............30
turning off .................................28
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ..................73
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................74
starting a warm engine ............77
Steering, power ...........................82
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................26
Tires ...........................................153
changing ...........................112,114
Index
184

checking the pressure ............153
replacing ...........................116,155
rotating ....................................155
snow tires and chains ............156
spare tire .................................112
tire grades ...............................151
treadwear ................................151
Towing your vehicle .................123
Trailer towing ..............................94
safety chains .............................96
tips .............................................97
trailer brakes .............................96
trailer lamps ..............................96
Transmission
automatic operation .................83
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................141
Trip odometer .............................14Turn signal
indicator lights ..........................10
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................181
Ventilating your vehicle .............79
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage
gauge) ..........................................13
Warning chimes ...........................11
headlamps on ............................11
key in ignition ...........................11
safety belt .................................11
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................135
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ........................................149
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................150
operation ...................................27
Index
185