weight FORD E SERIES 2001 4.G User Guide

If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when 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.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
Driving
118

²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
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.
Maintenance and care
179

Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Door edge guards
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full)
Hood deflector
Lubricants and oils
Side window air deflectors
Step bumpers
Touch-up paint
Underbody security lighting
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall or cause the transmission to be
damaged or operate improperly. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Customer assistance
213

recommendations ...................148
refill capacities ........................193
specifications ..................196, 199
Exhaust fumes ..........................101
F
Fail safe cooling ........................156
Fluid capacities .........................193
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................105
Fuel ............................................172
calculating fuel economy .......177
cap ...........................................176
capacity ...................................193
choosing the right fuel ...........174
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................180
detergent in fuel .....................175
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................172, 176±177
filter, specifications ........176, 192
fuel pump shut-off switch .....122
gauge .........................................15
improving fuel economy ........177
octane rating ...................174, 199
quality ......................................175
running out of fuel .................175
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................172
Fuses ..................................124±125
G
Garage door opener ....................56
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............176
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................177Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................15
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................14
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....109
calculating ...............................111
definition .................................109
driving with a heavy load ......109
location ....................................109
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............109
calculating .......................109, 111
definition .................................109
driving with a heavy load ......109
location ....................................109
H
Hazard flashers .........................122
Headlamps ...................................18
aiming ......................................187
bulb specifications ..................186
daytime running lights .............18
flash to pass ..............................19
high beam ...........................13, 18
replacing bulbs ...............182±183
turning on and off ....................18
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................19
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................25
heater only system ...................19
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................21
Index
218