2006 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Guide 2nd Printing (Spanish) - Page 580

Tires, Wheels and Loading 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 you tow 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 500 miles (800 km). • Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications. Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer to Vehicle loading in this chapter when figuring the total weight of your vehicle. Your vehicle is equipped with a standard Class II integrated hitch and requires only a draw bar and ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. An optional Class III/Class IV hitch is also available. Note: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury. 210 2006 Mountaineer (mnt) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA (fus)