load capacity Mercury Villager 1997 Owner's Manuals

Driving
229
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[GF11900(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[GF12000(ALL)01/96]
The Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the
driver's door pillar, provides important information regarding
the weight limits your vehicle can safely carry or tow. The total
weight of your vehicle, including the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your vehicle carries on
the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle.
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[GF12100(ALL)01/96]
The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than the originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Using lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
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[GF12200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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[GF12300(ALL)03/96]
Vehicle/Trailer Loads
[GF12400(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
provided the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is less than the
GVWR shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
With the optional trailer tow package, your vehicle can tow a
trailer up to 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).
File:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996

230
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[GF12500(ALL)05/96]
Trailer Towing (may require trailer tow option package)
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[GF12600(ALL)01/96]
Towing a trailer puts an additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your
safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right equipment
for the type of trailer you tow.
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[GF12700(ALL)01/96]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
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[GF12800(ALL)01/96]
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Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. SeePreparing to Towin this section.
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[GF12900(ALL)01/96]
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Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
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[GF13000(ALL)01/96]
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
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[GF13100(ALL)01/96]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
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[GF13700(ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Loading Information
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[GF13800(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not
volume, so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, rim sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
The certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's
door opening.
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[GF13900(ALL)01/96]
Each additional item of equipment affects how much cargo a
vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is overloaded, performance will
suffer and service concerns may arise.
File:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996

Driving
233
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[GF16200(ALL)01/96]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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[GF16300(ALL)01/96]
We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded down in the
rear and riding high in the front. This is a dangerous condition
that usually means that the rear suspension components are
under severe strain and that vehicle handling is impaired. There
is more to carrying a load than just payload or GVWR.
[GF16400(ALL)01/96]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
which is the maximum weight allowed on each axle system.
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[GF16500(ALL)01/96]
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is why
it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and can lead to
shortened service life or outright failure.
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[GF16600(ALL)01/96]
The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific tire pressure.
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[GF16700(ALL)01/96]
When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
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[GF16800(ALL)01/96]
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight
of your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
includes full fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as
well as the cargo load.
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[GF16900(ALL)01/96]
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
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[GF17000(ALL)01/96]
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and
passengers).
File:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996

Maintenance and Care
305
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[MC26100(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
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[MC26200(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size,
type, load-carrying capacity, and tread design (e.g. ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
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[MC26300(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose
control and roll over.
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[MC26400(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
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[MC26500(ALL)03/96
]
Wheel and Tire Matching
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[MC26510(ALL)03/96]
See an authorized tire dealer for proper servicing procedures.
Wheels and tires must be properly removed, matched and
remounted to maintain the best possible ride.
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[MC27400(ALL)01/96
]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
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[MC27500(ALL)01/96]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996