Mercury Tracer (1998 year). Instruction — part 7

GCWR indicates the maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
allowed to tow.

• Maximum Trailer Weight

Rating: Maximum weight of a
trailer the vehicle is permitted
to tow. The maximum trailer
weight rating equals the vehicle
curb weight for each
engine/transmission
combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing
and the weight of the driver
from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.

• Maximum Trailer Weight:

maximum weight of a trailer the
loaded vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) is
permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the
weight of the loaded trailer
towing vehicle from the GCWR
for the towing vehicle.

• Trailer Weight Range:

Specified weight range that the
trailer must fall within that
ranges from zero to the
maximum trailer weight rating.

Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.

Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on

the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.

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97

Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.

TRAILER TOWING

Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer up to 454 kg (1 000 lbs.)
gross trailer weight with a
maximum tongue load of 45 kg
(100 lbs.). Do not tow a trailer
until your vehicle has been driven
at least 800 km (500 miles).

Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle’s
engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after towing.

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,
transaxle damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.

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98

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.

Hitches

Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute
the load in your trailer so that 10 –
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.

Safety chains

Always connect the trailer’s safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.

If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions that the rental
agency gives to you.

Trailer brakes

Electric brakes and instruction,
automatic or surge-type brakes are
safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal
regulations.

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99

Do not connect a trailer’s
hydraulic brake system

directly to your vehicle’s brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.

Trailer lamps

Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment
for hooking up trailer lamps.

Driving while you tow

Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) when towing a trailer.

Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.

When towing a trailer:
• Use D (Drive) or a lower gear

when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and
upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.

• Anticipate stops and brake

gradually.

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100

Servicing after towing

If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your “Service Guide” for more
information.

Trailer towing tips

• Practice turning, stopping and

backing up in an area 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.

• Allow more distance for

stopping with a trailer attached.

• The trailer tongue weight should

be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.

• After you have traveled 80 km

(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.

• When stopped in traffic for long

periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.

• 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.

Driving

101

LUGGAGE RACK
(IF EQUIPPED)

Load luggage as far back as it will
safely go on the rack without
causing the vehicle to exceed the
gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) or gross axle weight
rating (GAWR).

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
• lack of regular, scheduled

maintenance

• excessive speed
• rapid acceleration
• extended idle

Driving

102

HAZARD FLASHER

Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The
hazard flashers can be operated
when the ignition is off.
• Slide the hazard flasher control

to the right to activate the
hazard flashers simultaneously.

• Slide the control to the left to

turn the flashers off.

FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH

If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch
is a device intended to stop the
electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.

2. Check the fuel system for leaks.

3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
seconds and return the key to the
OFF position.

5. Make a further check for leaks
in the fuel system.

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103

The fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the driver’s foot well,
behind the kick panel.

FUSES AND RELAYS

Fuses

If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse
may have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any
electrical components.

Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified

amperage rating. Using a fuse
with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage
and could start a fire.

15

15

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104

Standard fuse amperage rating
and color

Fuse rating

Color

5 amp

Tan

7.5 amp

Brown

10 amp

Red

15 amp

Light blue

20 amp

Yellow

20 amp fuse link

Light blue

25 amp

Natural

30 amp

Light green

30 amp fuse link

Pink

40 amp fuse link

Green

50 amp fuse link

Red

60 amp fuse link

Yellow

80 amp fuse link

Black

100 amp fuse link

Dark blue

Sedan/Wagon

The fuses are coded as follows:

R. WIPER

(DOOR LK)

STOP

HAZARD

HORN

TAIL

ROOM

(AIR COND)

–

ENGINE

METER

(ASC)

MIRROR

WIPER

–

P. Window (C.B.)

(FOG)

CIGAR

(AUDIO)

AIR BAG

FUEL INJ

HEATER

–

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Fuse/Relay
Location

Fuse Amp
Rating

Description

R.WIPER

10A

Daytime Running Lamps, Liftgate
Wiper/Washer

HAZARD

15A

Hazard Lamps

ROOM

10A

Engine Controls, Remote
Anti-Theft Pesonality (RAP)
Module, Radio, Shift Lock,
Courtesy Lamps, Starting System,
Warning Chime

ENGINE

15A

Air Bag, Engine Controls, TR
Sensor

MIRROR

5A

Power Mirrors, Radio, Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE)

DOOR LOCK

30A

Power Door Locks

HORN

15A

Horn

AIR COND

15A

A/C-Heater, ABS

METER

10A

Backup Lamps, Engine Controls,
Instrument Cluster, Rear Window
Defrost, Shift Lock, Warning
Chime, Turn Signal Switch

WIPER

20A

Wiper/Washer, Blower Relay

STOP

15A

Stop Lamps

TAIL

15A

Exterior Lamps, Instrument
Illumination

ASC

10A

Speed Control

CIGAR

20A

Cigar Lighter

AIR BAG

10A

Joint Connector, Air Bag
Diagnostic Monitor

FOG

10A

Fog Lamps, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)

AUDIO

15A

Radio

FUEL
INJECTOR

10A

H02S, Evaporative Emission
Purge Flow Sensor

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Fuse/Relay
Location

Fuse Amp
Rating

Description

P. WINDOW

30A CB

Power Windows

BLOWER

30A CB

A/C-Heater

Sedan/Wagon

The high-current fuses are coded
as follows.

USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY

FUEL INJ

30A

DEFOG

30A

MAIN

100A

COOLING FAN

40A

(ABS)

60A

BTN

40A

HEADLAMP

RELAY

FUEL PUMP 30A

OBD-II 10A

HEAD RH 10A

HEAD LH 10A

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Fuse/Fuse Link
Cartridge
Location

Fuse Amp
Rating

Description

FUEL INJ.

30A*

Air Bags, Engine Controls,
Generator

DEFOG

30A*

Rear Window Defrost

MAIN

100A*

Charging System, BTN, Cooling
Fan, Fuel Pump, OBD-II, ABS
Fuses, Ignition Switch, Headlamps

BTN

40A*

Hazard

ABS

60A*

ABS Main Relay

COOLING FAN

40A*

Constant Control Relay Module

OBD-II

10A**

Data Link Connector (DLC),
Instrument Cluster

FUEL PUMP

30A**

Engine Controls

HEAD RH

10A**

Headlamps

HEAD LH

10A**

Headlamps

* Fuse Link Cartridge ** Fuse

Relays

Relays are located in the power
distribution box and should be
replaced by qualified technicians.

CHANGING THE TIRES

If you get a flat tire while driving,
do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.

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108

Temporary spare tire
information

The temporary spare tire for your
vehicle is labeled as such. It is
smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.

If you use the temporary
spare tire continuously or

do not follow these precautions,
the tire could fail, causing you to
lose control of the vehicle,
possibly injuring yourself or
others.

When driving with the temporary
spare tire do not:
• exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under

any circumstances

• load the vehicle beyond

maximum vehicle load rating
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label

• tow a trailer
• use tire chains
• drive through an automatic car

wash, because of the vehicle’s
reduced ground clearance

• try to repair the temporary

spare tire or remove it from its
wheel

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109

• use the wheel for any other type

of vehicle

Tire change procedure

1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.

When one of the front
wheels is off the ground,

the transaxle alone will not
prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if
the vehicle is in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or R
(Reverse) (instruction transaxle).

To prevent the vehicle
from moving when you

change a tire, be sure the
parking brake is set, then block
(in both directions) the wheel
that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.

If the vehicle slips off the
jack, you or someone else

could be seriously injured.

2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or R
(Reverse) (instruction transaxle) and

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block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
• Automatic

• Instruction

3. Remove the jack, jack handle
and spare tire.

P

R

N

D

D

L

1

2

4

R

3

5

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111

4. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the
wheel is raised off the ground.

5. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the door of the tire you are
changing. Turn the handle
clockwise until the wheel is
completely off the ground.

6. Remove the lug nuts with the
lug wrench.

7. Replace the flat tire with the
spare tire, making sure the valve
stem is facing outward. Reinstall
the lug nuts until the wheel is snug
against the hub. Do not fully
tighten the lug nuts until the
wheel has been lowered.

8. Lower the wheel by turning the
jack handle counterclockwise.

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