2019 Ford Fusion Owners Manual - Towing

Towing

Note: Your vehicle may have electrical items, such as fuses or relays, related to towing. See Fuses (page 245).

Your vehicle's load capacity designation is by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle or trailer.

Towing a trailer places an extra load on your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.

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 ball mount 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.

Additional information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up for towing is located in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit (page 219).

You can also find information in the RV & Trailer Towing Guide available at your authorized dealer, or online.

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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 12 feet2 (1.11 meters2)

for 1.5L GTDI and 2.5L TiVCT or 20 feet2 (1.86 meters2) for 2.0L GTDI.

Note: For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by 2% per 1,000 ft (300 m) starting at the 1,000 ft (300 m) 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 the vehicle’s electrical system may not include the wiring connector needed to activate electric trailer brakes.

Your vehicle may tow a trailer provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your vehicle configuration on the following chart.

*Calculated with SAE J2807 method.

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Follow these guidelines for safe towing:

• Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

• Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.

• See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications.

• Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your scheduled maintenance information.

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

You can find information on load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety Compliance label as well as instructions on calculating your vehicle's load in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit (page 219).

Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of your vehicle load when calculating the total vehicle weight.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the axle.

Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the tongue.

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.

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.

Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 lb (680 kg) when load.

Trailer Lamps

Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.

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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.

• 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 connections and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).

• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place the transmission in park (P) to aid engine and transmission cooling and to help A/C 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.

• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:

Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.

Set your vehicle parking brake.

Place the transmission in park (P).

Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. Chocks are not included with your vehicle.

Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer

before backing the trailer into the water.

Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer

after removing the trailer from the water.

When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:

• Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.

• Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.

Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:

• Causing internal damage to the components.

• Affecting driveability, emissions, and reliability.

Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime you submerge the rear axle in water. Water may contaminate the rear axle lubricant, which is not a normal maintenance inspection item unless there is a possibility of a leak or other axle repair is required.

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If your vehicle becomes inoperable (without access to wheel dollies,

car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and transmission configuration) under the following conditions:

• Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.

• Shift the transmission into neutral (N). If you cannot shift the transmission into neutral (N), you may need to override the shifter and enable Stay in Neutral mode. Failing to do so may result in damage to the transmission. See Transmission (page 166).

• Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See Climate Control (page 121).

Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing. An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. We designed these guidelines to prevent damage to your transmission.

Front-wheel drive vehicles CANNOT be flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. It is recommended to tow your vehicle with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly, follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider.

All-wheel drive vehicles CANNOT be

flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. It is recommended to tow your vehicle with all four (4) wheels off the ground such as when using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow your vehicle.

Your vehicle can be towed with all four wheels on the ground using the Stay in Neutral mode feature, or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer. If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the equipment provider.

If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:

• Tow only in the forward direction.

• Release the parking brake.

• Place the vehicle in Stay in Neutral mode. See Automatic Transmission (page 166).

• Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).

Note: If the parking brake is applied, a message appears in the information display.

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Note: Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes at the beginning of each day, and every six hours or fewer. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R) before shifting back into neutral (N).

BEFORE CONTINUING TO TOW, YOU MUST RE-ENABLE STAY IN NEUTRAL MODE.

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