trailer FORD MUSTANG 1997 4.G Owners Manual

171 % [GF15700( ALL)12/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or the door latch
post pillar.
*
[GF15800( ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[GF15900( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
%*
[GF16000( ALL)01/96]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
*
[GF16100( ALL)12/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the
left front door pillar.
*
[GF16200( ALL)01/96]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
*
[GF16300( ALL)01/96]
q
the driver and passengers
*
[GF16400( ALL)01/96]
q
luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
*
[GF16500( ALL)12/95]
q
the tongue load of the loaded trailer
*
[GF16600( ALL)01/96]
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

173
%*
[GF17400(MBC )01/96]
Trailer Towing
*
[GF17600( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
*
[GF17700( ALL)12/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
*
[GF17800( ALL)12/95]
q
Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (SeeTrailer towing specificationsin this
chapter.)
*
[GF17900( ALL)01/96]
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.)
*
[GF18000( ALL)01/96]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[GF18100( ALL)01/96]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
*
[GF18200( ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[GF18300( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a
temporary spare tire.
[GF18400( ALL)12/95]
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.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

174 % [GF18500( ALL)12/95]Trailer towing specifications
[GF18600(M )12/95]
six pica chart:0010320-C*
[GF19000( ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF19100( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF19200( ALL)12/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
*
[GF19300( ALL)12/95]
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
%*
[GF19400( ALL)12/95]
Using the hitch
*
[GF19500(MBC )12/95]
Your vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. 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.
*
[GF20000( ALL)12/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

175 %
*
[GF21000( ALL)12/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[GF21100( ALL)12/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
*
[GF21200( ALL)12/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[GF21300( ALL)12/95]
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue
and attach them to your vehicle's frame or
hook retainers. Never attach the safety
chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper
is not designed to bear the weight of a
trailer.
*
[GF21400( ALL)12/95]
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
*
[GF21500( ALL)12/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
%*
[GF21600( ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[GF21700( ALL)12/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them according
to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that
your trailer's brakes meet local and federal
regulations.
*
[GF21900( ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

176 %
*
[GF22000( ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[GF22100( ALL)12/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
*
[GF22300( ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting
system.
%*
[GF22400( ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
*
[GF22500( ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF22800(MBC )12/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
[GF22900(M )12/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transmission and
you are towing a trailer, you should select gear
positions which will avoid jerking or excessive
engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in
1 (First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the
trailer is too big or heavily loaded for your
vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving in these
two gears while towing a trailer is not
recommended.
[GF23000(M )12/95]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the
manual transmission gearshift to a lower gear.
This will increase engine power on upgrades
and engine braking on downgrades.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

177 %
*
[GF23100( ALL)01/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
*
[GF23200( ALL)12/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
*
[GF23300( ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
%
*
[GF23600( ALL)01/96]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[GF23700( ALL)01/96]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[GF23800( ALL)01/96]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[GF23900( ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[GF24000( ALL)01/96]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[GF24100( ALL)01/96]
Slippery roads
*
[GF24200( ALL)01/96]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[GF24300( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[GF24400( ALL)01/96]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[GF24500( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not use speed control.
*
[GF24600( ALL)01/96]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
[GF24700( ALL)04/96]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[GF24800( ALL)01/96]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
File:09rcgfm.ex
Update:Mon Feb 24 10:18:27 1997

192 %
*
[ER09500( ALL)02/96]
The Temporary Spare Tire
[ER09700(MBC )02/96]
You have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and
is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon
as you can. This spare tire is marked with the
words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you
can easily identify it.
*
[ER09800( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
*
[ER09900( ALL)02/96]
WARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
*
[ER10000( ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[ER10100( ALL)02/96]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[ER10200( ALL)02/96]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[ER10300( ALL)02/96]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[ER10400( ALL)02/96]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[ER10500( ALL)02/96]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
File:10rcerm.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 10:01:28 1997

236
*
[MC22300( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic during hot weather, or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
%*
[MC22400( ALL)01/96]
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid
[MC22500( ALL)12/95]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Use only MERCONHfluid.
*
[MC22600( ALL)12/95]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct
area on the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL. If the
level is above the top hole on the dipstick,
excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
%*
[MC22700( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
[MC22800(MBC )12/95]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
File:11rcmcm.ex
Update:Thu Apr 3 07:49:33 1997

Index 311
Brake fluid............... 220
brake warning light........... 11
checking and adding......... 220
description.............. 220
specifications...........220, 267
Brakelamp, bulb replacement....... 260
Brakes................. 157
adjustment.............. 157
anti-lock............... 157
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light............ 12
applying the brakes.......... 157
brake warning light........... 11
fluid, checking and adding...... 220
fluid, refill capacities.......220, 266
fluid, specifications........220, 267
front disc.............. 157
if brakes do not grip well....... 157
master cylinder............ 220
new brake linings............ 6
noise..............157, 159
parking............... 159
power braking............ 157
servicing............... 220
stopping distances.......... 177
trailer................ 175
when storing your vehicle....... 271
Brake-shift interlock........... 162
Break-in period.............. 6
Brights (high beams)........... 16
Bulbs, replacing............. 256
halogen............... 257
headlamps.............. 257
specifications............. 260
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Thu Apr 3 07:52:02 1997

Index 315
Doors.................. 79
lubricant specifications........ 267
Driving under special conditions..... 177
bad weather............. 177
heavy load.............. 170
high water.............. 179
slippery roads............ 177
tips for safe driving.......... 177
towing a trailer............ 173
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 189
fuses..............181, 188
operating when the engine is off..... 65
power point outlet........... 63
Electronic sound system
tuning the radio.......... 26,42
warranty and service information.... 54
Electronic stereo cassette radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 26
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 275
battery acid spills........... 201
fuel................. 249
jump-starting............. 200
towing................ 207
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 159
Emission control system......... 252
catalytic converter.......... 252
emissions warranty......... 4,252
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Thu Apr 3 07:52:02 1997