2011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 262
2011 Ford Explorer Manual
Page 262 highlights
Tires, Wheels and Loading Trailer lamps Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking-up trailer lamps. WARNING: Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle's tail lamp circuits, because it may damage the electrical system resulting in fire. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be required. Driving while you tow When towing a trailer: • Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles (800 km) of trailer towing and don't make full-throttle starts. • Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades. • Activate the tow/haul feature or the grade assist feature on your transmission to eliminate excessive transmission shifting and assist in transmission cooling. For additional information, refer to Automatic transmission operation in the Driving chapter. • Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate stops and brake gradually. 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. • To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park). • After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts. • If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective. • 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. 262 2011 Explorer (exp) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)