Driving While You Tow; Servicing After Towing - Ford 2003 Ranger Owner's Manual

Trailer tow connector
Color Function
1. Dark Green Trailer right-hand
turn signal
2. Yellow Trailer left-hand turn
signal
3. Tan/White Tail lamp
4. White Ground

Driving while you tow

When towing a trailer:
• Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
• Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
• To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to the
Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission section in this
chapter.
• Under extreme conditions with large frontal trailers, high outside
temperatures and highway speeds, the coolant gauge may indicate
higher than normal coolant temperatures. If this occurs, reduce speed
until the coolant temperature returns to the normal range. Refer to
Engine coolant temperature gauge in the Instrument cluster
chapter.
• Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.

Servicing after towing

If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Driving
Comment
Circuit activated when brake
pedal is depressed or when
ignition is on and right-hand
turn signal is applied.
Circuit activated when brake
pedal is depressed or when
ignition is on and left-hand
turn signal is applied.
Relay controlled circuit
activated when the park
lamps/headlamps are on.
Matching vehicle circuit
returns to battery's negative
ground.
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