1996 Mercury Sable Owner's Manual - Page 243

Connecting the trailer's lights Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system wiring. To get the proper equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully. If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting system. Driving While You Tow Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can brake gradually. When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will give more engine braking on downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically downshift to the proper gear on upgrades. If you tow in Overdrive while riding through hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent your vehicle from shifting too much, move the gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch (column or console shift). This will also give better braking going down hills. If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long, steep grades, the speed control may shut off. Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet for additional information. 216