Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 34

Driving

134

TRAILER TOWING

For vehicles equipped with 2.0 L
engines and automatic transaxles,
an auxiliary cooler must be
installed prior to trailer towing to
protect the power steering and
transaxle system.

Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454 kg (1 000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45 kg (100 lbs). The trailer
should also have 2.3 sq. meters
(25 sq. feet) or less frontal area. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer.

Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.

Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.

22CDren  17.6.99 11:09 Uhr  Seite 134

Driving

135

Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:

• Stay within your vehicle’s load
limits.

• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
tow in this chapter.

• Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailer in
this chapter.

• Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide”.

• Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).

• Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.

22CDren  17.6.99 11:09 Uhr  Seite 135

Driving

136

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.

Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system if you
are planning on:

• Traveling farther than 80 km

(50 miles).

• Towing in hilly terrain.

• Towing frequently.

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.

Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer to Loading your
vehicle in this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.

22CDren  17.6.99 11:09 Uhr  Seite 136

Driving

137

Using a hitch

Do not use hitches that:

• Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.

• Attach to the axle.

Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.

Using trailer lamps

See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.

Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicle’s wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.

22CDren  17.6.99 11:09 Uhr  Seite 137