1997 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 96

1997 Ford Taurus Manual

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Driving Driving while you tow Do not drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any weight on the trailer while towing on a hot day or in hilly country. Cruise control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades. When towing a trailer: • Use 2 (Second) (if equipped) or 1 (First) when towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and transaxle cooling. • Anticipate stops and brake gradually. Servicing after towing If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to the Service Guide for more information. Trailer towing tips • Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles. • Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. • The trailer tongue weight should be 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight. • After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts. • When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and air conditioner efficiency. • Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels. 97

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Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any
weight on the trailer while towing on a hot day or in
hilly country.
Cruise control may shut off if you are towing on
long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
•
Use 2 (Second) (if equipped) or 1 (First) when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and upshifting for
optimum fuel economy and transaxle cooling.
•
Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
the
Service Guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•
Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, drive
slightly beyond the normal turning point so the
trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached.
•
The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of
the loaded trailer weight.
•
After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
•
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Driving
97