towing FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual

66 [ST11600(ALL)11/94]
half page art:0000399-EThe right side of the trunk in the sedan
[ST11700(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000516-E
Inside the right side service panel in the wagon
*
[ST11800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
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211
%*
[DR22100(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR22125(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
[DR22150(ALL)04/95]
sixteen pica chart:0000489-H[DR22190(ALL)10/95]
fourteen pica chart:0001436-CFile:10fcdrt.ex
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212
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[DR22200(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
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[DR22300(ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
*
[DR25800(ALL)11/92]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
(SeeKnowing Your Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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[DR25900(ALL)01/95]
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.)
*
[DR26000(ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[DR26100(ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
*
[DR26150(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
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213
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[DR26500(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limits of the vehicle and could result
in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
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[DR26580(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary
spare tire is being used.
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[DR26600(ALL)01/95]
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.
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[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
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216 %
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[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR30000(ALL)05/95]
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.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the
automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without
O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with
O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will
give more engine braking on downgrades. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift
to the proper gear on upgrades.
[DR30200(ALL)04/95]
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, move the
gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without
O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch
(column or console shift). This will also give
better braking going down hills.
%*
[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
% [DR30400(ALL)04/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow
*
[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
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233
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[RE14400(ALL)03/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
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[RE14600(ALL)03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make
sure that you hold the key square to the lug nut.
If you hold the key on an angle, you may
damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[RE14700(ALL)03/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key
and apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
*
[RE14800(ALL)09/95]
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE14900(ALL)03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
*
[RE15050(ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
*
[RE15100(ALL)07/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
*
[RE15200(ALL)07/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
*
[RE15250(ALL)07/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
%
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[RE16400(ALL)05/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
[RE16500(ALL)10/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center. Your
Taurus should be towed from the front unless
conditions do not allow it. It is recommended
that your vehicle be towed with wheel lift or
flatbed equipment.
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234
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[RE17550(ALL)10/95]
three fourths page art:0001463-A
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[RE17600(ALL)03/95]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. 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
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
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235
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[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle
*
[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle, such as a recreational
vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
*
[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
q
Release the parking brake.
*
[RE18400(ALL)03/95]
q
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)01/95]
q
Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
*
[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
q
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)01/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than
35 mph (56 km/h) or for a distance greater than
50 miles (80 km), unless the drive wheels are
placed on dollies.
*
[RE19000(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an
accident.
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237
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210(ALL)11/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
who put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of 3 years or
36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first.
To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages
beyond this period (available through Ford Auto
Club in the United States or Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada), contact
your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Additional
Roadside Assistance coverage is unavailable in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
*
[HS00215(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220(ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225(ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230(ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235(ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240(ALL)06/94]
q
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
File:13fchst.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:02:19 1996
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362 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 276
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Cooling fan............... 256
Cruise control............. 120
Cupholder(s).............. 156
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 239
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........239, 245
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 91
Daytime running light system...... 107
Defects, reporting............ 244
Defrost
rear window and side view mirrors. . . 104
windshield............ 95,103
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid........ 296
engine oil.............. 273
power steering fluid.......... 300
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 233
Dispute Settlement Board........ 240
Doors................. 125
childproof locks............ 125
door ajar warning light......... 77
lubricant specifications......... 330
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 206
heavy load.............. 208
high speed.............. 290
high water.............. 208
slippery roads............ 206
tips for safe driving.......... 206
towing a trailer............ 211
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
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