warning FORD TRANSIT CONNECT 2015 2.G Manual Online

CARGO NETS
Installing the Net (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
Always attach and tighten the net to
the luggage anchor points and do not
put more than
22 lb (10 kg) of cargo
behind the net and above the seat back.
Otherwise, the net could fail and cargo
could become a projectile, which could
cause serious injury. Do not allow people to ride in the
third row seating positions when the
cargo net is installed behind the
second row. Failure to do so may limit
egress from the vehicle in an emergency. 1.
Push the ends of the upper bar toward
each other and insert them into the
retainers in the roof. Push the bar
forward into the narrow section of the
retainers. 2. Attach the net to the luggage anchor
points. See
Luggage Anchor Points
(page 141). 142
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3. Tighten the straps.
Removing the Net
1. Release the straps.
2. Remove the net from the luggage
anchor points.
3. Remove the upper bars.
ROOF RACKS AND LOAD
CARRIERS WARNINGS
Read and follow the manufacturer
’s
instructions when you are fitting a
roof rack. Failure to take care may
lead to a crash or personal injury. When loading the roof racks, we
recommend you evenly distribute the
load, as well as maintain a low
center of gravity. Loaded vehicles, with
higher centers of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Take WARNINGS
extra precautions, such as slower speeds
and increased stopping distance, when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Failure to
take care may result in the loss of control
of your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death. For correct roof rack system function, you
must place loads directly on crossbars
fitted to the roof rack side rails. When using
the roof rack system, we recommend you
use Ford genuine accessory crossbars
designed specifically for your vehicle.
Make sure that you securely fasten the
load. Check the tightness of the load
before driving and at each fuel stop.
Note:
If you use a roof rack, the fuel
consumption of your vehicle will be higher
and you may experience different driving
characteristics.
Note: Never place loads directly on the roof
panel.
Maximum Load Weights
Do not exceed the following maximum
roof rack load weights. Maximum Load lb
(kg)*
Variant
132 (60)
Wagon - short
wheel base with
panoramic roof
panel
165 (75)
Wagon - short
wheel base with
metal roof panel
165 (75)
Wagon - long
wheel base
165 (75)
Van
*Evenly distribute the load on the roof rack.
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WARNING
The appropriate loading
capacity of your vehicle can
be limited either by volume
capacity (how much space is
available) or by payload capacity
(how much weight the vehicle
should carry). Once you have
reached the maximum payload of
your vehicle, do not add more
cargo, even if there is space
available. Overloading or
improperly loading your vehicle
can contribute to loss of vehicle
control and vehicle rollover. Example only:
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WARNING
Exceeding the Safety
Compliance Certification
Label vehicle weight rating limits
could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance,
engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of
control and personal injury. GCW (Gross Combined Weight)
- is the Gross Vehicle Weight plus
the weight of the fully loaded
trailer. GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating) - is the maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
and the loaded trailer, including
all cargo and passengers, that the
vehicle can handle without risking
damage. (Important: The towing
vehicle
’s braking system is rated
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GVW

for operation at Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at Gross
Combined Weight Rating.)
Separate functional brakes should
be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the
Gross Combined Weight of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating of the towing vehicle.
The
Gross Combined Weight must
never exceed the Gross
Combined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight - is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with mandatory options,
driver and front passenger weight
(150 pounds [68 kilograms]
each), no cargo weight (internal
or external) and a tongue load of
10– 15% (conventional trailer) or
king pin weight of 15– 25% (fifth
wheel trailer). Consult an
authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at
an authorized dealer) for more
detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel
King Pin Weight -
refers to the
amount of the weight that a trailer
pushes down on a trailer hitch. Examples:
For a 5000 pound
(2268 kilogram) conventional
trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and
0.15 to obtain a proper tongue
load range of 500 to 750 pounds
(227 to 340 kilograms). For an
11500 pound (5216 kilogram) fifth
wheel trailer, multiply by 0.15 and
0.25 to obtain a proper king pin
load range of 1725 to 2875 pounds
(782 to 1304 kilograms). WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carrying
capacities than the original tires
because they may lower the
vehicle ’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original
tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations. Exceeding any vehicle weight
rating limitation could result
in serious damage to the vehicle
and/or personal injury. Steps for determining the
correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lb." on your
vehicle ’s placard.
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be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99
kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) =
635 - 198 - 540 = -103 kilograms.
You will need to reduce the load
weight by at least 240 pounds
(104 kilograms). If you remove
three 100-pound (45-kilogram)
cement bags, then the load
calculation would be:1400 - (2 x
220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 -
900 = 60 pounds. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the
cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would
be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99
kilograms) - (9 x 45 kilograms) =
635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kilograms.
The above calculations also
assume that the loads are
positioned in your vehicle in a
manner that does not overload
the Front or the Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating specified for your
vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. The label shall
be affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver seating
position.
Special Loading Instructions
for Owners of Pick-up Trucks
and Utility-type Vehicles WARNING
Loaded vehicles may handle
differently than unloaded
vehicles. Extra precautions, such
as slower speeds and increased
stopping distance, should be
taken when driving a heavily
loaded vehicle. Your vehicle can haul more cargo
and people than most passenger
cars. Depending upon the type
and placement of the load,
hauling cargo and people may
raise the center of gravity of the
vehicle.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. The electrical system on your
vehicle may have fuses or relays
related to the towing equipment.
See Fuses (page 174).
The load capacity of your vehicle
is designated by weight not
volume. You will not necessarily
be able to use all available space
when loading your vehicle or
trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load
on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension.
Inspect these components before,
during and after towing. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above 15% or below 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
Note: A slight vibration or shudder
may be present when you start to
drive away due to increased
payload weight.
Information on correct trailer
loading and preparing your vehicle
is available in the load carrying
section. See
Load Limit (page
144). Further information is
available in the RV and Trailer
Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.
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Trailer Lighting
The electrical system on your
vehicle is not suitable for towing
trailers with LED lamps.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
If the trailer begins to sway, the stability
control warning lamp flashes and a
message appears in the information
display. The system applies the brakes to
the individual wheels and reduces engine
torque to aid vehicle stability.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so. Check the vertical weight on the tow
ball and trailer load distribution. See
Capacities and Specifications (page
246). See Load Carrying (page 141).
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Your vehicle may tow a trailer. The
maximum loaded trailer weight
must be less than or equal to the
maximum loaded trailer weight
listed for your vehicle
configuration on the following
chart.
Note: Do not exceed the maximum
loaded trailer weight for your
vehicle configuration listed in the
chart below. Note:
Make sure you take the
trailer frontal area into
consideration, do not exceed 20
feet² (1.86 meters²). Towing a
trailer that exceeds this frontal area
will reduce the performance and
fuel economy of your vehicle when
towing. Select a trailer that has a
rounded front and an aerodynamic
design.
Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight
by 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)
starting at the 1000 foot (300
meter) elevation point.
Note: Certain states require
electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. Be sure to
check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum
loaded trailer weights listed may
be limited to this specified weight,
as the vehicle ’s electrical system
may not include the wiring
connector needed to activate
electric trailer brakes.
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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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