weight Mercury Villager 1997 Owner's Manuals

156
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[SS15100(ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
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[SS15200(ALL)01/96]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using the safety seat.
*
[SS15300(ALL)01/96]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
[SS15320(ALL)05/96]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct
safety belt buckle for that seating position, make sure the
tongue is securely fastened in the buckle and there is tension in
the belt. For a shoulder/lap belt combination with a sliding
tongue, make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking
mode. For more information, seeUsing the Automatic Locking
Mode Retractor to Secure a Child Safety Seatlater in this chapter.
*
[SS15321(ALL)05/96]
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
171
[SS20895(ALL)01/96]
Built-In Child Seats (If equipped)
[SS20900(ALL)01/96]
The optional second row bench seat includes two built-in child
seats. These child restraints are to be used only by children
who:
[SS20940(ALL)01/96]
n
are at least one year old
[SS20960(ALL)01/96]
AND
[SS20980(ALL)05/96]
n
weigh between 10 and 27 kilograms (22 and 60 pounds)
[SS21000(ALL)01/96]
AND
[SS21025(ALL)01/96]
n
whose shoulders are below the shoulder harness slots
[SS21030(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040318-A[SS21050(ALL)01/96]
Children not meeting these requirements should be restrained in
an approved aftermarket child safety seat. Follow the specific
manufacturer's instructions for weight and height restrictions.
[SS21075(ALL)01/96]
Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle.
It is the law in every state and province. These child seats
conform to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.
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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.
*
[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.
*
[GF12200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[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).
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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.
*
[GF12700(ALL)01/96]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
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[GF12800(ALL)01/96]
n
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]
n
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
*
[GF13000(ALL)01/96]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
*
[GF13100(ALL)01/96]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
*
[GF13700(ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Loading Information
*
[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.
*
[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.
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Driving
231
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[GF14000(ALL)01/96]
The following is a typical example of a Safety Compliance
Certification Label and an explanation of how this information
should be used:
[GF14100(ALL)01/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0040166-D
The Safety Compliance Certification Label
*
[GF14200(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and
rear GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The
GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR
when added together.
[GF14300(ALL)01/96]
There are no numbers on the sample Safety Compliance
Certification Label shown. Refer to the actual numbers on your
vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[GF14500(ALL)01/96]
Understanding Loading Information
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[GF14600(ALL)01/96]
There are five terms that are used to describe a vehicle's ability
to carry a load:
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[GF14700(ALL)01/96]
n
Base Curb Weight
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[GF14800(ALL)01/96]
n
Payload
*
[GF14900(ALL)01/96]
n
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
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232
*
[GF15000(ALL)01/96]
n
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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[GF15100(ALL)01/96]
n
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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[GF15200(ALL)01/96]
n
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[GF15300(ALL)01/96]
Base Curb Weight
*
[GF15400(ALL)01/96]
The base curb weight is the weight of the vehicle including fuel,
coolants, lubricants, emergency tools and spare wheel and tire.
It also includes any equipment that is standard. It does not
include passengers, cargo or optional equipment installed by
factory, dealer, aftermarket supplier or customer.
*
[GF15500(ALL)01/96]
Payload
*
[GF15600(ALL)01/96]
Maximum payload is the combined, maximum allowable weight
of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is
designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the base curb weight.
*
[GF15700(ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[GF15800(ALL)01/96]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
*
[GF15900(ALL)01/96]
It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or a
specification, but actual weight. If an owner loads up the vehicle
and weighs it, that's the GVW at that moment. If the owner
adds on more of a load and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW.
%*
[GF16000(ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
[GF16100(ALL)01/96]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your Villager. The GVWR is
the maximumallowableweight of the vehicle when fully
loaded including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[GF16900(ALL)01/96]
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
*
[GF17000(ALL)01/96]
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and
passengers).
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234
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[GF17100(ALL)01/96]
Calculating the Payload for Your Vehicle
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[GF17200(ALL)01/96]
To know how much weight your vehicle can carry:
*
[GF17300(ALL)01/96]1.
Obtain the GVWR and GAWR from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
[GF17500(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0040002-C
Safety Compliance Certification Label location
*
[GF17600(ALL)01/96]2.
Fill the fuel tank.
*
[GF17700(ALL)01/96]3.
Weigh your vehicle without cargo.
*
[GF17800(ALL)01/96]4.
Subtract vehicle actual weight from the GVWR to find out
how much more weight your vehicle can carry.
*
[GF17810(ALL)01/96]5.
Weigh the vehicle again once it is loaded to make sure that
the GVWR and front and rear GAWR's are not exceeded.
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Driving
235
[GF17830(ALL)05/96]
Load Calculation Ð Trailers
[GF17840(ALL)01/96]
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable trailer
weight and maximum GCWR for vehicles with and without the
trailer towing package.
[GF17850(ALL)01/96]
For a particular vehicle, the allowable trailer weight may be
lower depending upon the vehicle's actual gross vehicle weight.
(GVW is the weight of the vehicle including passengers,
equipment, cargo.)
[GF17860(ALL)01/96]
You must determine the appropriate trailer weight for your
vehicle at its particular GVW while adhering to GVWR, GAWR,
GCWR and maximum trailer weight ratings.
[GF17870(ALL)01/96]
n
Fill the fuel tank.
[GF17875(ALL)01/96]
n
Load the vehicle as it would be loaded when towing a
trailer (including cargo, trailer hitch, etc.).
[GF17880(ALL)01/96]
n
Weigh the vehicle to determine its GVW. Do not exceed
GVWR and GAWR.
[GF17885(ALL)01/96]
n
Obtain the appropriate GCWR from the trailer towing table.
[GF17890(ALL)01/96]
n
Subtract the loaded vehicle weight (GVW) from the GCWR.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can pull
given its particular GVW.
%*
[GF18000(ALL)01/96]
Trailer towing table
[GF18050(ALL)01/96]
eight pica
chart:0040244-BFile:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996

236
*
[GF18080(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds either GAWR, shift
the load or remove cargo accordingly.
[GF18090(ALL)01/96]
To determine actual GCW, weigh the total vehicle and trailer
and also weigh the trailer separately to verify its weight.
*
[GF18200(ALL)01/96]
Trailers
*
[GF18300(ALL)01/96]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper weight on the
tongue (usually 10-15% of the trailer weight).
*
[GF18500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[GF18600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
*
[GF18700(ALL)05/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF18800(ALL)01/96]
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 dealer or a reliable trailer dealer.
%*
[GF18900(ALL)01/96]
Hitches
*
[GF19000(ALL)01/96]
For towing trailers up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg), use a good
weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes
the trailer tongue load through the underbody structure.
[GF19100(ALL)01/96]
An optional trailer towing package is available for towing
trailers up to 3,500 lbs. (1587 kg). Use a frame-mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over 2,000 lbs. (907 kg).
File:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996