Ford taurus se 2002 Owner's Manual page 139

Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. The amount of
weight you can safely tow depends on the type of engine you have in
your vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped
to tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Mercury/Lincoln dealers. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a station wagon, inflate
the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transaxle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
In order to identify your vehicle's engine, refer to Identifying
components in the engine compartment in the Maintenance and
Care chapter.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
Model Passenger
Load - #/kg (lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750)
4/270 (600)
2/135 (300)
2/135 (300)
Wagon 4/270 (600)
2/135 (300)
2/135 (300)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at a maximum GCW
(Vehicle weight + Trailer weight) equal to 2 245 kg (4 950 lbs.).
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Luggage
Load - kg (lbs.)
0
70 (150)
70 (150)
0
0
70 (150)
0
Driving
Max Trailer
Wt.- kg (lbs.)
365 (800)
365 (800)
500 (1 100)
565 (1 250)
365 (800)
430 (950)
500 (1 100)
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