TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or theGAWR specified on the certificationlabel.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommended grosstrailer weight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Note:Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays, related
to towing. See Fuses (page 288).
Your vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Inspectthese components periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder maybe present due to the increased payloadweight. Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and setting yourvehicle up for towing is located in theLoad Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 259).
You can also find information in the RV& Trailer Towing Guide available at yourauthorized dealer, or online.
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RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/Website
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If Equipped)
WARNING
Turning off trailer sway controlincreases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Ford doesnot recommend disabling this feature exceptin situations where speed reduction may bedetrimental (such as hill climbing), the driverhas significant trailer towing experience, andcan control trailer sway and maintain safeoperation.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is toohigh, the system may activate multiple times,gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes atindividual wheels and, if necessary, reducesengine power. If the trailer begins to sway,the stability control light flashes and themessage TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEEDappears in the information display. The firstthing to do is slow your vehicle down, thenpull safely to the side of the road and checkfor proper tongue load and trailer loaddistribution. See Load Carrying (page 257).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailer weightfor your vehicle configuration listed in
the chart below.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area. Do notexceed 20 ft² (1.86 m²) for vehicleswithout towing package, or 30 ft² (2.79m²) for vehicles with towing package.
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weight by2% per 1,000 ft (305 m) starting at the1,000 ft (305 m) elevation point.
Note:Certain states require electrictrailer brakes for trailers over a specifiedweight. Be sure to check stateregulations for this specified weight. The
maximum trailer weights listed may belimited to this specified weight, as thevehicle’s electrical system may notinclude the wiring connector needed toactivate electric trailer brakes.
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Your vehicle may tow a trailer providedthe maximum trailer weight is less thanor equal to the maximum trailer weight
listed for your vehicle configuration onthe following chart.
Maximum trailer weight1Powertrain
2,000 lb (907 kg)2.7L EcoBoost 2
3,500 lb (1,587 kg)2.7L EcoBoost 3
2,000 lb (907 kg)3.7L Ti-VCT2
3,500 lb (1,587 kg)3.7L Ti-VCT3
1Calculated with SAE J2807 method.2Vehicle without towing package.3Vehicle with towing package.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws fortowing a trailer.
•See the instructions included with towingaccessories for the proper installationand adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle's loadin the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 259).
Remember to account for the trailer tongueweight as part of your vehicle load whencalculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hookretainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross themunder the trailer tongue and allow enoughslack for turning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to your vehicle'sbrake system. Your vehicle may not haveenough braking power and your chances ofhaving a collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if you installthem properly and adjust them to themanufacturer's specifications. The trailerbrakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems arerequired for safe control of towed vehiclesand trailers weighing more than 1500pounds (680 kilograms) when load.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical system resultingin fire. Contact your authorized dealer assoon as possible for assistance in propertrailer tow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
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Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, turn signals and hazard lights areworking.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up toget the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip. Whenturning, make wider turns so the trailerwheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly afteryou have traveled 50 miles (80kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in position P to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speed controlmay turn off automatically when you aretowing on long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy and transmissioncooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with atrailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission inposition P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back ofthe trailer wheels. (Chocks not includedwith vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to riseabove the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge ofthe rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, andreliability.
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Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime yousubmerge the rear axle in water. Water maycontaminate the rear axle lubricant, which isnot a normal maintenance inspection itemunless there is a possibility of a leak or otheraxle repair is required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR
WHEELS
Emergency Towing
You can flat-tow (all wheels on the ground,regardless of the powertrain/transmissionconfiguration) your disabled vehicle (withoutaccess to wheel dollies, car-hauling trailer,or flatbed transport vehicle) under thefollowing conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward so you towit in a forward direction.
•You place the transmission in position N.If you cannot place the transmission inposition N, you may need to override it.See Transmission (page 188).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering the vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 145).
Follow these guidelines if you have a needfor recreational (RV) towing. An example ofrecreational towing would be towing yourvehicle behind a motorhome. Theseguidelines are to make sure you do notdamage the transmission during towing.
You can tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground using the Neutral Tow feature,or with all four wheels off the ground usinga vehicle transport trailer. If you are using avehicle transport trailer, follow the instructionspecified by the equipment provider.
Neutral Tow
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
Enter Neutral Tow mode by doing thefollowing:
1. Put the ignition in accessory mode bypressing the engine START buttonwithout pressing the brake pedal.
2. Select Neutral Tow under the VehicleSettings menu in the information display.See General Information (page 118).
3.Press and hold the OK button to start theneutral tow process.
4. Press the brake pedal and select N onthe push-button transmission.
5. Turn the ignition off by pressing theengine START button without pressingthe brake pedal.
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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Vehicles Sold in the United States:Getting Roadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicleconcern, Lincoln Motor Company offers acomplimentary roadside assistance program. This program is separate from the NewVehicle Limited Warranty.
The service is available:
•Throughout the life of the vehicle fororiginal owners.
•For six years or 70,000 mi (110,000 km)(whichever comes first) for subsequentowners.
Roadside Assistance covers:
•A flat tire change with a good spare(except vehicles supplied with a tireinflation kit).
•Battery jump start.
•Lock-out assistance (key replacementcost is the client's responsibility).
•Fuel delivery — independent servicecontractors, if not prohibited by state,local or municipal law shall deliver up to2 gal (8 L) of gasoline or 5 gal (20 L) ofdiesel fuel to a disabled vehicle.Roadside Assistance limits fuel deliveryservice to two no-charge occurrenceswithin a 12-month period.
•Winch out — available within 100 ft (30 m)of a paved or county maintained road,no recoveries.
•Towing — independent servicecontractors, if not prohibited by state,local or municipal law shall tow Lincolneligible vehicles to the client's selling orpreferred dealer within 100 mi (160 km)of the disablement location or to thenearest Lincoln dealer. If a client requestsa tow to a selling or preferred dealer thatis more than 100 mi (160 km) from thedisablement location, the client isresponsible for any mileage costs inexcess of 100 mi (160 km).
•Roadside Assistance includes up to $200for a towed trailer if the disabled eligiblevehicle requires service at the nearestauthorized dealer. If the towing vehicleis operational but the trailer is not, thenthe trailer does not qualify for anyroadside services.
Vehicles Sold in the United States:Using Roadside Assistance
United States clients who require roadsideassistance, call 1-800-521-4140.
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Roadside Emergencies
Protected ComponentsFuse RatingFuse or Relay Number
Heated rear window.40A 168
Anti-lock brake system valves.30A 169
Passenger seat.30A 170
Active front steering.50A 171
Transmission oil pump (start/stop).20A 172
Rear heated seats.20A 173
Driver seat module.30A 174
Wiper motor 1.25A 175
Power liftgate module.30A 176
Climate control seat module.30A 177
Trailer lighting module.40A 178
Blower motor.40A 279
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Fuses