Driving While Towing A Trailer; Servicing While Towing - Mercury Tracer 1997 Owner's Manual

Driving while towing a trailer

Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
very long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transaxle:
• use D or L rather than
while towing up or down
D
steep hills.
• anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
If driving with a manual transaxle:
• select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.
• avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. In first or
second gear the trailer may be
too big or too heavily loaded for
the vehicle drivetrain.
• shift to a lower gear while
towing up or down steep hills.
• anticipate stops and brake
gradually.

Servicing while towing

If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle requires
more frequent service than a
vehicle not used for towing. Refer
to the Service Guide for more
information.
Driving
105