2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Guide 3rd Printing - Page 165

Tires, Wheels and Loading Trailer towing tips • Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to get the feel of the vehicle/trailer combination. When turning, make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles. • Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. • The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight. • After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), 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). 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. Launching or retrieving a boat When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval: • do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. • do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and causing internal transmission damage. Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in water. Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed from the water. CAMPER BODIES Your Explorer Sport Trac is not recommended for slide-in camper bodies. RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND) Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a recreational vehicle). These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not damaged due to insufficient lubrication. 165 2005 Explorer Sport Trac (p27) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA (fus)