weight FORD RANGER 2001 2.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
For towing trailers up to 907 kg (2 000 lb), use a weight carrying hitch
and ball which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue loads through the
underbody structure. Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for
trailers over 907 kg (2 000 lb).
Do not install a single or multi-clamp type bumper hitch, or a hitch
which attaches to the axle. Underbody mounted hitches are acceptable if
they are installed properly. Follow the towing instructions of a reputable
rental agency.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure all
mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent noxious
gases or water from entering.
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.
Driving
153

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 capacities (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.
Trailer tow connector
The trailer tow connector is located
under the rear bumper, on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
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Driving
154

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 no more than 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 (6 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 any time 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
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An
example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
Driving
156

²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
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.
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.
Maintenance and care
224

Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
All weather slush mats
Bed mat/tailgate kit
Bed hooks
Bed mats
Bedliners
Carpeted floor mats with logo
Door edge guards
Front end covers (full and sport)
Bug deflectors
Instrument panel trim (brushed aluminum)
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Rally bar with off road lighting
Rear window deflector
Side window air deflectors
Skid plate
Spare tire lock
Step bumpers
Tailgate lock
Tailgate protector
Tonneau covers Ð soft (snap and snapless) and hard
Universal floor mats
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.
Customer assistance
259

lubrication specifications ......243,
245
refill capacities ........................240
service points ..................186±188
starting after a collision .........159
Engine block heater .................126
Engine oil ..................................189
checking and adding ..............189
dipstick ....................................189
filter, specifications ........193, 240
recommendations ...................193
refill capacities ........................240
specifications ..................243, 245
Exhaust fumes ..........................127
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....215
Fluid capacities .........................240
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 138
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................139
driving off road .......................141
electronic shift ..................27, 139
indicator light .........................139
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................131
Fuel ............................................215
calculating fuel economy .......222
cap .....................................11, 218
capacity ...................................240
choosing the right fuel ...........219
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................225
detergent in fuel .....................221
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................215, 218, 222filter, specifications ........221, 240
fuel pump shut-off switch .....159
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........222
octane rating ...........219, 245±246
quality ......................................220
running out of fuel .................221
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................215
Fuses ..................................161±162
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 218
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................222
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............19
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................18
speedometer .............................18
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................144
calculating ...............................146
definition .................................144
driving with a heavy load ......144
location ....................................144
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................144
calculating .......................144, 146
definition .................................144
driving with a heavy load ......144
location ....................................144
Index
265