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
WARNING
If your vehicle has a steering wheellock make sure the ignition is in theaccessory or on position when being towed.
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 180).
•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 137).
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.
Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L Engine
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles CANNOTbe flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) asvehicle or transmission damage may occur.You must place the front wheels on atwo-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a towdolly, follow the instructions specified by theequipment provider.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles CANNOT beflat-towed (all wheels on the ground), asvehicle or transmission damage may occur.It is recommended to tow your vehicle withall four (4) wheels off the ground such aswhen using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise,you cannot tow your vehicle.
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Vehicles Equipped with a 3.0L Engine
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.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
Neutral Tow
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 the neutral tow option under thevehicle settings menu in the informationdisplay. See General Information (page111).
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.
If the process completes successfully:
•the N on the push-button transmissionblinks slowly
•A confirmation message appears in theinformation display.
Note:If the parking brake is applied, amessage appears in the information display.
Note:Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
Note:Start the engine and allow it to run forfive minutes at the beginning of each dayand every six hours (or fewer). Shut theengine off and verify that a messageappears indicating neutral tow has beenengaged, before continuing to tow.
Exit Neutral Tow mode, make sure theignition is on (engine can be on or off ), pressthe brake pedal and select P on thepush-button transmission.
If the process is completed successfully, amessage appears indicating that neutral towhas disengaged in both the instrumentcluster and push-button transmission displayP.
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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
If you need to arrange roadside assistancefor yourself, Lincoln Motor Companyreimburses a reasonable amount for towingto the nearest Lincoln dealership within100 mi (160 km). To obtain reimbursementinformation, United States clients, call1-800-521-4140. Clients need to submit theiroriginal receipts.
Vehicles Sold in Canada: GettingRoadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicleconcern, Lincoln Motor Company offers acomplimentary roadside assistance program. This program is eligible within Canada or thecontinental United States.
This program is separate from the NewVehicle Limited Warranty, beginning fromthe original warranty start date and lasts thelife of the vehicle for the original owner.Subsequent owners receive coverage thatis concurrent with the 6 years or 70,000 mi(110,000 km) (whichever occurs first)powertrain warranty coverage period.
If you purchased your vehicle in Canada andrequire roadside assistance, please call1-800-387-9333.
Vehicles Sold in Canada: UsingRoadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistanceidentification card and place it in your walletfor quick reference.
In Canada, this card is found in the WarrantyGuide in the glove compartment of yourvehicle.
Vehicles Sold in Canada: RoadsideAssistance Program Coverage
The service is available 24 hours a day,seven days a week.
Canadian roadside coverage and benefitsmay differ from the U.S. coverage.
For complete program coverage detailsreview your warranty guide, contact yourdealer, call us in Canada at 1-800-387-9333,or visit our website atwww.lincolncanada.com.
HAZARD FLASHERS
Note:The hazard flashers operate when theignition is in any position, or if the key is notin the ignition. If used when the vehicle is notrunning, the battery loses charge. As a result,there may be insufficient power to restartyour vehicle.
The flasher control is on theinstrument panel. Use your hazardflashers when your vehicle iscreating a safety hazard for other motorists.
•Press the flasher control and all front andrear direction indicators flash.
•Press the button again to switch them off.
FUEL SHUTOFF
WARNING
If your vehicle has been involved in acrash, have the fuel system checked.Failure to follow this instruction could resultin fire, personal injury or death.
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Roadside Emergencies
If you need to tow your vehicle, contact aprofessional towing service or, if you are amember of a roadside assistance program,your roadside assistance service provider.
We recommend the use of a wheel lift anddollies or flatbed equipment to tow yourvehicle. Do not tow with a slingbelt. LincolnMotor Company does not approve a slingbelttowing procedure. If you tow your vehicleincorrectly, or by any other means, vehicledamage may occur.
Lincoln Motor Company produces a towingmanual for all authorized tow truck operators.Have your tow truck operator refer to thismanual for proper hook-up and towingprocedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to have your front-wheeldrive vehicle towed from the front if usingproper wheel lift equipment to raise the frontwheels off the ground. When towing in thismanner, the rear wheels can remain on theground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have thefront wheels placed on a tow dolly whentowing your vehicle from the rear usingwheel lift equipment. This prevents damageto the transmission.
Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle requiresthat all wheels be off the ground, such asusing a wheel lift and dollies or flatbedequipment. This prevents damage to thetransmission, all-wheel drive system andvehicle.
TOWING POINTS
Due to local market requirements in somecountries, some vehicles may be equippedwith a recovery hook.
Recovery Hook Location
If your vehicle is equipped with a screw-inrecovery hook, it is with the spare tire kit orthe rear under floor storage.
Installing the Recovery Hook
There is an installation point for the recoveryhook located behind the fascia.
Note:The screw-in recovery hook has aleft-hand thread. Turn it counterclockwise toinstall it. Make sure that the recovery hookis fully tightened.
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•Use commercial car washing equipment.
•Use snow chains on the end of thevehicle with the dissimilar spare wheeland tire assembly.
Use of the above dissimilar spare wheel atany one wheel location can lead toimpairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and brakingperformance.
•Comfort and noise.
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet weather driving capability.
•All-wheel driving capability.
Give additional caution to the following whendriving with the full-size dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly:
•Towing a trailer.
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camperbody.
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargorack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-sizedissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly andseek service as soon as possible.
Changing a Road Wheel Procedure
WARNINGS
When one of the front wheels is off theground, the transmission alone will notprevent the vehicle from moving or slippingoff the jack, even if the transmission is in park(P).
To help prevent your vehicle frommoving when changing a wheel, shiftthe transmission into park (P), set the parkingbrake and use an appropriate block or wheelchock to secure the wheel diagonallyopposite to the wheel being changed. Forexample, when changing the front left wheel,place an appropriate block or wheel chockon the right rear wheel.
Do not work on your vehicle when thejack is the only support. If the vehicleslips off the jack, you or someone else couldbe seriously injured.
WARNINGS
Do not attempt to change a tire on theside of the vehicle close to movingtraffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoidthe danger of being hit when operating thejack or changing the wheel.
Always use the jack provided asoriginal equipment with your vehicle.If using a jack other than the one provided,make sure the jack capacity is adequate forthe vehicle weight, including any vehiclecargo or modifications. If you are unsure ifthe jack capacity is adequate, contact theauthorized dealer.
Note:Passengers should not remain in yourvehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
1. Park on a level surface, set the parkingbrake and activate the hazard flashers.
2. Place the transmission in park (P) andturn the engine off. For vehicles with amanual transmission, place thetransmission in reverse (R) after theengine is turned off.
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Wheels and Tires
Stowing the Flat Tire Without theRetainer Strap
You can temporarily stow the full-size roadwheel in the spare tire compartment.
1.Lift the carpeted wheel cover at an angleto access the spare tire compartment.
2.Place the wheel in the spare tire well withthe valve stem facing down.
3.Install the shorter jack retainer bolt to thejack bolt-down bracket through thecentre of the wheel. Finally, wind thewheel retainer down to secure the wheelin place.
4. Place the jack and tools back into thespare tire compartment.
5. Replace the carpeted wheel cover.
Stowing the Flat Tire Using theRetainer Strap (If Equipped)
You can temporarily stow the full-size roadwheel in the spare tire compartment.
1. Find the flat tire retainer strap tuckedinside the jack channel.
2.Locate the jack bolt-down bracket. Pushthe retainer strap through the jackbolt-down bracket.
3.Put the jack and lug wrench away. Makesure the jack is fastened so it does notrattle when you drive.
4.Stow the flat tire on the floor in the cargoarea.
5. Weave the retainer strap through thewheel openings.
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