weight FORD TRANSIT CONNECT 2015 2.G Owner's Manual
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the correct
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 399).
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
rental agency's instructions.
Another chapter of this manual contains
load specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load. See
Load Limit (page 144).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Note:
You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment. Function
Color
Left turn signal and stop lamp
Yellow
Ground (-)
White
Right turn signal and stop
lamp
Green
Running lights
Brown
Hitches WARNING
Do not tow a trailer that exceeds the
maximum limit of the towing
equipment. This could result in
vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle
control and personal injury. Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so that between
10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is
on the tongue.
The hitch rating on the trailer hitch label is
the maximum possible trailer rating. To
find the maximum trailer weight allowed
for your vehicle
See Recommended
Towing Weights (page 153). Further
information is available in the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.
Safety Chains
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
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Note:
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Trailer Brakes 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 crash greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them correctly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1500
pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in correct trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard warning
flashers are working. Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check the trailer hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50
miles (80 kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission selector lever in position
P to aid engine and transmission
cooling and to help A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• When driving down a long or steep hill,
if your vehicle is fitted with a
SelectShift Automatic® Transmission,
use a low gear, See
Automatic
Transmission (page 126). Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they
may overheat and become less
effective.
• If the transmission is fitted with Grade
Assist or a Towing feature, use this
feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
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You can tow your vehicle from the front
with wheel lift equipment to raise the front
wheels off the ground. We recommend
that you place the rear wheels on a dolly
to prevent damage to the rear of your
vehicle.
You can tow your vehicle from the rear with
wheel lift equipment.
Note:
You must place the front wheels on
a dolly to prevent damage to the
transmission.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing WARNING
If your vehicle has a steering wheel
lock make sure the ignition is in the
accessory or on position when being
towed. If your vehicle is disabled and you have no
access to a tow dolly, car-hauling trailer or
a flatbed transport vehicle, it can only be
flat-towed with all wheels on the ground
under the following conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward so that
it is towed in a forward direction.
• The transmission selector lever is
placed in position N. If the transmission
gear shift lever cannot be moved to
position
N, it may need to be
overridden. See Automatic
Transmission (page 126).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km).
Drive off slowly and smoothly without
jerking the vehicle you are towing.
You must only use the towing eye that was
delivered with your vehicle. See
Towing
Points (page 157). Tow ropes or rigid towing bars must be
placed on the same side. For example; right
hand rear towing point to right hand front
towing point.
You must use a tow rope or rigid towing
bar that is of the correct strength for the
weight of the towing vehicle and the
vehicle that is being towed.
Note:
Using a rigid towing bar is the safest
way to tow a vehicle.
The weight of the vehicle that is being
towed must not exceed the weight of the
towing vehicle.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle. See
Climate Control
(page 95).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational (RV) towing. An example
of recreational towing would be towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. We
designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your transmission.
Front-wheel drive vehicles
CANNOT be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground), as
transmission damage may occur. You can
tow your vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are
using a tow dolly, follow the instructions
specified by the equipment provider.
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•
Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Reduce the use of air conditioning and
heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly
terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4
kilometers/liter] is lost for every 400
lbs [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of some
components and systems can be affected
at temperatures below -13°F (-25°C).
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle.
Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well of your
vehicle. Only use floor mats that
leave the pedal area unobstructed. Only
use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out
of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in
other ways. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury.
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3. Move the catch to the left.
4.
Open the hood and support it with the
support rod.
Closing the Hood
1. Remove the support rod from the catch
and secure correctly.
2. Lower the hood and allow it to drop under its own weight for the last 8
inches to 12 inches (20 centimeters
to 30 centimeters).
Note: Make sure the hood is fully closed.
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the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING
The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics. The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire
’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance. Temperature A B C WARNING
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C,
representing the tire
’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 139. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
* Tire label: A label showing the
OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure
and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.
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describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides a U.S. DOT Tire
Identification Number for safety
standard certification and in case
of a recall.
Information on P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of
a tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index and speed
rating for your vehicle may be
different from this example.) A.
P: Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association,
that may be used for service on
cars, sport utility vehicles,
minivans and light trucks. Note:
If
your tire size does not begin with
a letter, this may mean it is
designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical
Organization) or JATMA (Japan
Tire Manufacturing Association).
B. 215:
Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
C. 65:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of
height to width.
D. R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 15:
Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
F. 95:
Indicates the tire's load
index. It is an index that relates to
how much weight a tire can carry.
You may find this information in
your owner ’s manual. If not,
contact a local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this
information on all tires because it
is not required by federal law.
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•
Use commercial car washing
equipment.
• Use snow chains on the end of the
vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel
and tire assembly.
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly can lead to
impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking
performance.
• Comfort and noise.
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet weather driving capability.
• All-wheel driving capability.
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly additional
caution should be given to:
• Towing a trailer.
• Driving vehicles equipped with a
camper body.
• Driving vehicles with a load on the
cargo rack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-size
dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly
and seek service as soon as possible.
Changing a Road Wheel WARNINGS
When one of the front wheels is off
the ground, the transmission alone
will not prevent the vehicle from
moving or slipping off the jack, even if the
transmission selector lever is in park (P). To help prevent your vehicle from
moving when you change a tire, be
sure to place the transmission
selector lever in park (P), set the parking
brake and block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to the tire
being changed. WARNINGS
Never get underneath a vehicle that
is supported only by a jack. If your
vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured. Do not attempt to change a tire on
the side of the vehicle close to
moving traffic. Pull far enough off the
road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel. Always use the jack provided as
original equipment with your vehicle.
If using a jack other than the one
provided as original equipment with your
vehicle, make sure the jack capacity is
adequate for the vehicle weight, including
any vehicle cargo or modifications. Note:
The jack and tools are located behind
a cover in the sidewall at the left rear of the
cargo area. Remove the retention straps and
wing nut before removing the jack.
The jack and tools are located behind a
cover in the left rear of the cargo area.
Remove the wing nut to remove the jack.
Remove the lug nut wrench from the clips
by pulling straight out.
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking
brake and activate the hazard flashers.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to the park (P) position and switch the
ignition off.
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World manufacturer identifier
A
Brake system, Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, Restraint Devices
and their locations
B
Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
C
Engine type
D
Check digit
E
Model year
F
Assembly plant
G
Production sequence number
H VEHICLE CERTIFICATION
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 shall be affixed to either
the door hinge pillar, the door latch post,
or the edge of the door near the door latch,
next to the driver's seating position.
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For maximum vehicle performance, keep
the following information in mind when
adding accessories or equipment to your
vehicle:
•
When 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). Ask an authorized
dealer for specific weight information.
• The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian
Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulate the use
of mobile communications systems
that are equipped with radio
transmitters, for example, two-way
radios, telephones and theft alarms.
Any such equipment installed in your
vehicle should comply with Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) regulations and should be
installed only by an authorized dealer.
• Mobile communications systems may
harm the operation of your vehicle,
particularly if their manufacturer did
not design them specifically for
automotive use.
• If you or an authorized Ford dealer add
any non-Ford custom electrical or
electronic accessories or components
to your vehicle, you may adversely
affect battery performance and
durability, and may adversely affect
the performance of other electrical
systems in the vehicle.
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