brakes FORD E SERIES 2002 4.G User Guide

Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use or install hitches that clamp onto the bumper or to the axle.
Underbody hitches are acceptable if installed properly.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
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.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving
169

Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
2 270 kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capacity.
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.
Driving
170

If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
Maintenance and specifications
245

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................132
and child safety seats ............134
description ..............................132
disposal ....................................137
driver air bag ..........................135
indicator light ...................14, 136
operation .................................135
passenger air bag ...................135
Air cleaner filter ...............247, 253
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................79
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................226
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................152±153
Audio system (see Radio) ...20, 41
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................157
fluid, adding ............................245
fluid, checking ........................245
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................260
Auxiliary power point .................96
Axle
lubricant specifications ..258, 260
refill capacities ........................254
traction lok ..............................155
B
Battery .......................................220
acid, treating emergencies .....220charging system warning light 14
disconnecting ..........................222
jumping a disabled battery ....191
maintenance-free ....................220
replacement, specifications ...253
servicing ..................................220
voltage gauge ............................18
Belt minder ...............................127
Brakes ........................................152
anti-lock ...........................152±153
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................13, 153
brake warning light ..................13
fluid, checking and adding ....244
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .........258, 260
lubricant specifications ..258, 260
shift interlock ..........................156
Break-in period .............................5
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Child safety restraints ..............138
child safety belts ....................138
Child safety seats ......................139
in front seat ............................140
in rear seat ..............................140
tether anchorage hardware ...143
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............209
exterior ....................................212
instrument cluster lens ..........211
instrument panel ....................211
interior .....................................211
plastic parts ............................210
safety belts ..............................212
washing ....................................207
waxing .....................................207
Index
267

I
Ignition .......................148, 260±261
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................139
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................242
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................211
cluster ................................12, 211
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................86
J
Jack ............................................184
positioning ...............................184
storage .....................................184
Jump-starting your vehicle ......191
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............16
positions of the ignition .........148
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................88
cargo lamps ...............................86
daytime running light ...............85
headlamps .................................85
headlamps, flash to pass ..........86
instrument panel, dimming .....86
interior lamps ...........................87
replacing bulbs ...................88±93
Lane change indicator (see
Turn signal) .................................86Lights, warning and indicator ....12
air bag ........................................14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....13, 153
brake ..........................................13
charging system ........................14
check coolant ............................14
cruise indicator .........................14
door ajar ....................................15
engine oil pressure ...................14
high beam .................................15
low fuel ......................................14
safety belt .................................13
service engine soon ..................12
turn signal indicator .................15
Load limits .................................160
GAWR ......................................160
GVWR ......................................160
trailer towing ..........................160
Loading instructions .................162
Lubricant specifications ...258, 260
Lumbar support, seats .............114
M
Mirrors
fold away ...................................98
side view mirrors (power) .......97
Motorcraft parts ................238, 253
O
Octane rating ............................236
Odometer .....................................19
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................217
Overdrive ...................................102
Index
270