towing FORD RANGER 1999 2.G User Guide

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.
Using a step bumper
The optional step bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires
only a ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
907 kg (2 000 lb.) trailer weight and 91 kg (200 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
The rated capcities (as shown in this guide) for trailer towing with the
factory bumper are only valid when the trailer hitch ball is installed
directly into the ball hole in the bumper. Addition of bracketry to either
lower the ball hitch position or extend the ball hitch rearward will
significantly increase the loads on the bumper and its attachments. This
can result in the failure of the bumper or the bumper attachments. Use
of any type of hitch extensions should be considered abuse.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use 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.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your maintenance guide and or
service guide for more information.
Driving
129

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area 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.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
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, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
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)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
Driving
130

These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
2WD (automatic transmissions)
²Release the parking brake and place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Mark the driveshaft
and axle flanges to ensure proper position when reconnecting the
driveshaft. Refer to the ªWorkshop Manualº for proper fastener torque
specifications.
When disconnecting/installing the driveshaft, the parking brake
must be set and the wheels blocked to ensure the vehicle does
not roll.
With the driveshaft disconnected, the maximum speed is 88 km/h (55
mph) and there are no mileage restrictions.
See your dealer for help with disconnecting the driveshaft.
2WD (manual transmissions)
²Release the parking brake and place the transmission in the neutral
position.
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is limited by towing equipment manufacturer's
recommendation.
4WD ± Electronic shift transfer case
²Release the parking brake and place transmission in the neutral
position.
²Shift the transfer case to 2H (2WD high).
Both the 4WD HIGH and 4WD LOW indicator lights in the instrument
cluster will be off when the 4WD control is in 2WD.
Driving
131

For automatic transmissions,maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph)
and maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
²If you must exceed the distance or 80 km (50 miles) and/or speed of
56 km/h (35 mph), you must remove the rear driveshaft. Mark the
driveshaft and axle flanges to ensure proper position when
reconnecting the driveshaft. Refer to the ªWorkshop Manualº for
proper fastener torque specifications.
When disconnecting/installing the driveshaft, the parking brake
must be set and the wheels blocked to ensure the vehicle does
not roll.
²When the driveshaft is disconnected, the maximum speed is 88 km/h
(55 mph) and the distance is unlimited.
For manual transmissions,maximum speed is 88 km/h (55 mph) and
distance is unlimited.
Limited vehicle operation, such as driving the vehicle at a campsite, can
be accomplished with the rear driveshaft removed by using the front
drive to propel the vehicle. To operate the vehicle in this condition, you
mustfollow these guidelines:
²Place the transfer case in 4WD by rotating the 4WD control to 4WD
HIGH.
²Drive the vehicle only on good surface roads to avoid excessive loads
on the front-wheel drive system.
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
²Avoid quick acceleration and steep grades.
To return the vehicle to a towable condition, youmustplace the transfer
case in 2WD by rotating the 4WD control to 2WD. Both the 4WD HIGH
and 4WD LOW indicator lights in the instrument cluster will be off when
the 4WD control is in 2WD.
In addition, it is recommended that you follow the instruction provided
by the manufacturer of the towing apparatus.
CAMPER BODIES
Your Ranger Pickup is not recommended for slide±in camper bodies.
Driving
132

2. If equipped, unlock and remove
the spare tire carrier lock from the
rear access hole located just above
the rear bumper and below the
tailgate.
3. Insert the straight end of the jack
handle into the rear access hole
located just above the rear bumper
and below the tailgate.
Forward motion will stop and
resistance to turning will be felt
when properly engaged.
4. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground
and the cable is slightly slack.
5. Remove the retainer from the spare tire.
Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
2. Install the retainer through the
wheel center and slide the wheel
under the vehicle.
3. Turn the spare handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
spare handle ratchets when the tire
is raised to the stowed position. It
will not allow you to overtighten.
Roadside emergencies
143

To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
²Never use the differential as a
jacking point.
7. Remove the wheel lug nuts with the lug wrench.
8. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
9. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
10. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
11. Stow the flat tire. Refer to
Stowing the spare.
12. Stow the jack and lug wrench.
Make sure the jack is fastened so it
does not rattle when you drive.
13. Unblock the wheels.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic
converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes, and
clothing, if contacted.
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52
Roadside emergencies
146

4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the
disabled vehicle's battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables
removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can
relearnits idle conditions.
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.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground.
Do not tow with slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor Company has not
developed or approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
151

Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollover/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Use of 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.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
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 Km/L (MPG) expected on
the vehicle, depending upon the driver's 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 unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and care
186

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the front door latch pillar
on the driver's side.
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4
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
Capacities and specifications
207

locking/unlocking doors ...........65
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................67
replacing the batteries .............66
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts ...81,199
extension assembly ..................80
for children ..........................90,91
lap belt .................................78,79
warning light and chime .....11,80
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ................73,74,75,76,77
Seats ............................................71
child safety seats ......................92
Servicing your vehicle .......152,153
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......200
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .202
Speed control ..............................56
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ......97,98,100
jump starting ............146,147,149
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................61
Tachometer .................................13
Tires .............................173,174,175
changing .............141,142,143,144
checking the pressure ............175replacing ..................................176
rotating ....................................175
snow tires and chains ............177
tire grades ...............................174
treadwear ................................174
Towing
recreational towing ..........130,131
wrecker ....................................151
Traction-lok rear axle ...............120
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................169
Transmission ......................107,166
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................166,167
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................168
manual operation ....................112
Trip odometer .............................14
Vehicle dimensions ...................205
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................208
Vehicle loading ..........................121
camper bodies ........................132
Ventilating your vehicle ...........102
Warning chimes .............................6
Washer fluid ..............................162
Water, Driving through .............121
Windows .................................62,63
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............172
operation ...................................62
replacing wiper blades ...........173
Index
212