Page 206 of 455
CARGO NETS
WARNING:This net is not designed to restrain objects during a
collision or heavy braking.
The cargo net secures lightweight objects in the cargo area.
Attach the net to the anchors provided in one of the two configurations.
Repeat the attachment on both sides of the vehicle.
Type 1
Load Carrying205
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 217 of 455

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
The load capacity of your vehicle is designated by weight not volume.
You may not necessarily be able to use all available space when loading
your vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components before, during
and after towing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when
driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centered between the left and right side
trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down toward your vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. You can
find more information about proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
You can also find information in theRV and Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized dealer.
216Towing
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 218 of 455

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
WARNING:Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of
loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death. Ford does not
recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed
reduction may be detrimental (such as hill climbing), the driver has
significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and
maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it
begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may turn
on multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if
necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the
stability control light flashes and the messageTRAILER SWAY
REDUCE SPEEDappears in the information display. The first thing to
do is slow your vehicle down, then pull safely to the side of the road and
check for proper tongue load and trailer load distribution. See theLoad
Carryingchapter for specific loading information.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration
listed in the chart below.
Note:Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not
exceed:
•20 feet
2(1.86 meters2) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a
Class I trailer.
•30 feet
2(2.79 meters2) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a
Class II trailer.
Note:For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by
2% per 1000 feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot (300 meter)
elevation point.
Note:Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a
specified weight. Be sure to check state regulations for this specified
weight. The maximum trailer weights listed may be limited to this
specified weight, as your vehicle’s electrical system may not include the
wiring connector needed to use electric trailer brakes.
Towing217
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 220 of 455

You must use a four-pin trailer wiring connector for
your vehicle and the trailer lighting equipment.
Color Function
1. Dark Green Right turn signal, brake lamp and hazard flasher
2. Yellow Left turn signal, brake lamp and hazard flasher
3. Brown Tail lamps and parking lamps
4. White Ground
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that clamps onto your vehicle’s bumper. Use a
load-carrying hitch.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the
tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: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.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if you install them properly and adjust them to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
Towing219
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 221 of 455

The rating for the tow vehicle’s braking system operation is at
the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight
rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the
vehicle’s tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
the gearshift in positionPto aid engine and transmission cooling and
to help air conditioning performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking
and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
220Towing
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 227 of 455

•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom
of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be
limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely
damage your engine or your vehicle
may stall.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
226Driving Hints
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 245 of 455
Fuse or relay
numberFuse amp
ratingProtected components
5 40A** Anti-lock brake system pump
6 — Not used
7 30A** Power liftgate
8 20A** Moonroof
9 20A** Power point #2 (console rear)
10 — Not used
11 — Rear window defroster and heated
mirror relay
12 — Not used
13 — Starter relay
14 — Not used
15 — Fuel pump relay
16 — Not used
17 — Not used
18 40A** Blower motor
19 30A** Starter motor
20 20A** Power point #1 (console bin)
21 20A** Cargo area power point
22 — Not used
23 30A** Driver seat module
24 — Not used
25 — Not used
26 40A** Rear window defroster
27 20A** Front power point or lighter
28 30A** Climate controlled seats
29 — Not used
30 30A** Rear heated seats
31 — Not used
32 — Not used
33 — Not used
34 — Blower motor relay
244Fuses
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)
Page 247 of 455
Fuse or relay
numberFuse amp
ratingProtected components
62 10A* Air conditioner clutch
63 15A* Trailer tow stop/turn lamps relay
64 20A* Rear wiper motor
65 15A* Fuel pump
66 — Powertrain control module relay
67 20A* Vehicle power #2
68 15A* Vehicle power #4
69 15A* Vehicle power #1
70 10A* Air conditioner relay, All-wheel drive
module
71 — Not used
72 — Not used
73 — Not used
74 — Not used
75 — Air conditioner clutch diode
76 — Not used
77 — Trailer tow park lamps relay
78 20A* Right high-intensity discharge
headlamps
79 5A* Adaptive cruise control
80 — Not used
81 — Not used
82 15A* Rear washer
83 — Not used
84 20A* Trailer tow park lamps
85 — Not used
86 7.5A* Powertrain control module
keep-alive, Powertrain control
module relay
87 5A* Run/start relay
88 — Run/start relay
89 5A* Adaptive lighting
246Fuses
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)