towing FORD RANGER 2001 2.G Owners Manual

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your
vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
10

Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in
the
(Overdrive) position. The TCIL will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through four. Drive (O/D
OFF) provides more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
whenever driving conditions (i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.) cause the
transmission to excessively shift between
(Overdrive) and other
gears. Deactivate
(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingsection.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal
(Overdrive) mode.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (First) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear and will
shift to 1 (First) after the vehicle decelerates to the proper vehicle
speed.
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The
transmission will downshift to the appropriate gear: fourth, third, second
or first gear.
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²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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145

3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal
area of
trailer -
m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6' box
2.3L All 2 177 (4 800) 753 (1 660) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L
(non-torsion bar
suspension)All 2 722 (6 000) 1 207 (2 660) 4.64 (50)
3.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 2 722 (6 000) 1 152 (2 540) 4.64 (50)
4.0L
(non-torsion bar
suspension)All 3 175 (7 000) 1 624 (3 580) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 3 175 (7 000) 1 569 (3 460) 4.64 (50)
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4x2 w/manual transmission
Regular Cab w/7' box
2.3L All 2 177 (4 800) 726 (1 600) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L All 2 722 (6 000) 1 179 (2 600) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3 175 (7 000) 1 597 (3 520) 4.64 (50)
SuperCab
2.3L All 2 177 (4 800) 671 (1 480) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L
(non-torsion bar
suspension)All 2 722 (6 000) 1 125 (2 480) 4.64 (50)
3.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 2 722 (6 000) 1 052 (2 320) 4.64 (50)
4.0L
(non-torsion bar
suspension)All 3 175 (7 000) 1 542 (3 400) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 3 175 (7 000) 1 479 (3 260) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft.) elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier
in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
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4x4 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight
- kg (lbs)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer -
m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6' box
3.0L All 2 722 (6 000) 1 180 (2 380) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3 175 (7 000) 1 506 (3 320) 4.64 (50)
Regular Cab w/7' box
3.0L All 2 722 (6 000) 1 061 (2 340) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3 175 (7 000) 1 479 (3 260) 4.64 (50)
SuperCab
3.0L All 2 722 (6 000) 1 007 (2 220) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3 175 (7 000) 1 424 (3 140) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (FX4
package)All 3 175 (7 000) 1 234 (2 720) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1 000
ft.) of elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table, seeVehicle loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Driving
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4x2 w/automatic transmission
SuperCab
3.0L
(non-torsion
bar suspension)All 3 402 (7 500) 1 787 (3 940) 4.64 (50)
3.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 3 402 (7 500) 1 715 (3 780) 4.64 (50)
4.0L
(non-torsion
bar suspension)All 4 309 (9 500) 2 667 (5 880) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (torsion
bar suspension)All 4 309 (9 500) 2 595 (5 720) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft.) elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier
in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
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4x4 w/automatic transmission
Engine Rear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer -
m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6' box
3.0L All 3 402 (7 500) 1 751 (3 860) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 4 309 (9 500) 2 622 (5 780) 4.64 (50)
Regular Cab w/7' box
3.0L All 3 402 (7 500) 1 724 (3 800) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 4 309 (9 500) 2 595 (5 720) 4.64 (50)
SuperCab
3.0L All 3 402 (7 500) 1 669 (3 680) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 4 309 (9 500) 2 540 (5 600) 4.64 (50)
4.0L (FX4
package)All 4 309 (9 500) 2 350 (5 180) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft.) of elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table, seeVehicle loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Driving
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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.
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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.
1
2
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Driving
154