FORD 2005 Taurus v.2 - Manual (Page 156)

The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
• An example for your vehicle with 1400 lbs. (636 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. You and your friends average
220 lbs. (100 kg) each and the golf bags weigh approximately 30 lbs. (14
kg) each. Is there enough load capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends
and all the golf bags? The calculation would be: 1400 – (5 x 220) – (5 x
30) = 1400 – 1100 – 150 = 150 lbs. Metric conversion; 636 kg – (5 x
100) – (5 x 14) = 636 – 570 = 66 kg. Yes, you have enough load capacity
in your vehicle to transport 4 of your friends and golf bags.
• Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lbs. (636 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up cement
from the local home improvement store to finish that patio you have
been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of the vehicle
with the rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100 lbs. (45 kg)
bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity to transport the
cement to your home? If you and your friend each weighed 220 lbs. (100
kg), the calculation would be: 1400 – (2 x 220) – (12 x 100) = 1400 –
440 – 1200 = – 40 pounds. Metric conversion; 636 kg – (2 x 100) – (12 x
45) = 636 – 200 – 540 = –104 kg. No, you do not have enough cargo
capacity to carry that much weight. You will need to reduce the load
weight by at least 240 lbs. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lbs. (45 kg)
cement bags, then the load calculation would be:
1400 – (2 x 220) – (9 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 900 = 60 lbs. Metric
conversion; 636 kg – (2 x 100) – (9 x 45) = 636 – 200 – 405 = 31 kg. Now
you have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Certification label
found on the driver’s door.
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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Taurus (tau), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),
Market: USA_English (fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
156