towing LINCOLN MKZ 2013 User Guide

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the
certification label. Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended gross
trailer weight exceeds the limit of the
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Note:
There may be electrical items
such as fuses or relays that can affect
trailer towing operation. See Fuses
(page 251).
Weight, not volume designates your
vehicle's load capacity. You cannot
necessarily use all available space
when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional
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 the vehicle when
driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest to
the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items in the
center of 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 the
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 another chapter
of this manual. See Load Limit (page
219). You can also find the information
in the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide,
available at your authorized dealer.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight
for your vehicle configuration listed in
the chart below.
Note: Be sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area. Do
not exceed 20 feet 2
(1.86 meters 2
).
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.
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Towing

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 Class I trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight
is less than or equal to the maximum
trailer weight listed for your vehicle
configuration on the following charts. Maximum Trailer Weight - lb (kg)
*
Powertrain
1000 (454)
2.0L GTDI
1000 (454)
3.7L TiVCT
* Calculated with SAE J2807 method.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING
CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe
towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive
your vehicle at least 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle
laws for towing a trailer.
• Refer to the instructions included
with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer
to 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 another chapter
of this manual. See Load Limit (page
219).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of the vehicle
load when calculating the total
vehicle weight. Hitches
•
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 trailer tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to
the bumper.
Always connect the trailer ’s safety
chains to the hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer ’s safety chains,
cross the chains 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,
when installed properly and adjusted
to the manufacturer's specifications,
are safe to use. The trailer brakes
must meet local and federal
regulations.
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Towing

The braking system of the tow
vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
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
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and
hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up the lamps.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and
backing-up to get the feel of the
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 position 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.
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Towing

•
Avoid parking on a grade.
• However, if you must park on a
grade:
•Turn the steering wheel to point
the vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
• Set the vehicle parking brake.
• Place automatic transmission
in position P.
• Place wheel chocks in front and
back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not equipped with
vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat
or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the
trailer
before backing the trailer into
the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the
trailer after you remove 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 inches (15 centimeters)
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 drivability, emissions, and
reliability. Any time the rear axle submerges in
water, replace the rear axle lubricant.
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.
TRANSPORTING THE
VEHICLE
If you need to have your vehicle
towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a
roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
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TowingE143886

We recommend using a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not
tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure. If towed
incorrectly, or by any other means,
vehicle damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a
towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck
operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing
procedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to tow a front-wheel
drive (FWD) vehicle from the front if
using proper wheel lift equipment to
raise the front wheels off the ground.
The rear wheels can remain on the
ground when towed in this fashion.
FWD vehicles can also be towed from
the rear using wheel lift equipment;
however, the front wheels must be
placed on a dolly to prevent damage
to the transmission.
It is required to tow an all-wheel drive
(AWD) vehicle with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment, with all
the wheels off the ground, to prevent
damage to the transmission, AWD
system or vehicle.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
You can flat-tow (all wheels on the
ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission
configuration) your disabled vehicle
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle) under the following
conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward so
you tow it in a forward direction.
• You place the transmission in
position N. If you cannot place the
transmission in position N, you
may need to override it. See
Transmission
(page 165).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56
km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80
kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system
in recirculated air mode to prevent
exhaust fumes from entering the
vehicle. See
Climate Control (page
126).
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. These guidelines are to
make sure you do not damage the
transmission during towing.
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Towing

Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L
Engine
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
CANNOT be flat-towed (all wheels
on the ground) as vehicle or
transmission damage may occur. You
must place the front wheels on a
two-wheel tow dolly. If you are using
a tow dolly, follow the instructions
specified by the equipment provider.
All-wheel drive (AWD) 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 tow your
vehicle.
Vehicles Equipped with a 3.7L
Engine
You can tow your vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground using the
Neutral Tow 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.
Neutral Tow
Enter Neutral Tow mode by doing the
following: 1.
Put the ignition in accessory mode
by pressing the engine START
button without pressing the brake
pedal.
2. Select
Neutral Tow under the
Vehicle Settings menu in the
information display. See General
Information (page 100).
3. Press and hold the OK button to start the neutral tow process.
4. Press the brake pedal and select N
on the push-button
transmission.
5. Turn the ignition off by pressing the
engine START button without
pressing the brake pedal.
If the process is completes
successfully:
• the
N on the push-button
transmission blinks slowly
• Neutral Tow Engaged turn
ignition off for towing
appears
in the information display.
Note: If the parking brake is applied,
Neutral Tow remove park brake for
towing
appears in the information
display.
Note: Do not exceed 65 mph (105
km/h).
Note: Start the engine and allow it to
run for five minutes at the beginning of
each day and every six hours (or fewer).
Shut the engine off and verify that
Neutral tow engaged
appears in the
display before continuing to tow.
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Towing

Exit Neutral Tow mode, make sure the
ignition is on (engine can be on or off),
press the brake pedal and select P on
the push-button transmission.
If the process is completed
successfully,
Neutral Tow
disengaged appears in the
information display and both the
instrument cluster and push-button
transmission display
P.
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Towing

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Vehicles Sold In The U.S.:
Getting Roadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a
vehicle concern Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. The service is
available:
•
24-hours, seven days a week.
• for the coverage period listed on
the Roadside Assistance Card
included in your Owner's Manual
portfolio.
Roadside assistance will cover:
• a flat tire change with a good spare
(except vehicles that have been
supplied with a tire inflation kit).
• battery jump start.
• lock-out assistance (key
replacement cost is the customer's
responsibility).
• fuel delivery — Independent
Service Contractors, if not
prohibited by state, local or
municipal law shall deliver up to
2.0 gallons (7.5L) of gasoline or
5.0 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel
to a disabled vehicle. Fuel delivery
service is limited to two no-charge
occurrences within a 12-month
period. •
winch out — available within 100
feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no
recoveries.
• towing — Ford and Lincoln eligible
vehicles towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56 km) of
the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a
member requests to be towed to
an authorized dealer more than 35
miles (56 km) from the
disablement location, the member
shall be responsible for any
mileage costs in excess of 35 miles
(56 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $200
if the disabled eligible vehicle requires
service at the nearest authorized
dealer. If the trailer is disabled, but the
towing vehicle is operational, the
trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
Vehicles Sold In The U.S. :
Using Roadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. This card
is found in the owner's information
portfolio in the glove compartment.
U.S. Lincoln vehicle customers who
require Roadside Assistance, call
1-800-521-4140.
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Roadside Emergencies

If you need to arrange roadside
assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable
amount for towing to the nearest
dealership within 35 miles (56 km).
To obtain reimbursement information,
U.S. Lincoln vehicle customers call
1-800-521-4140. Customers will be
asked to submit their original receipts.
Vehicles Sold In Canada :
Getting Roadside Assistance
Canadian customers who require
roadside assistance, call
1-800-665-2006.
Vehicles Sold In Canada : Using
Roadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In Canada,
the card is found in the Warranty
Guide in the glove box.
Canadian Roadside coverage and
benefits may differ from the U.S.
coverage. Please refer to your
Warranty Guide or visit our website at
www.ford.ca for information on
Canadian services and benefits.
Canadian customers who need to
obtain roadside information, call
1-800-665-2006 or visit our website
at www.ford.ca.
HAZARD WARNING
FLASHERS
Note:
If used when the engine is not
running, the battery will lose charge.
There may be insufficient power to
restart your engine. The hazard warning button
is located on the instrument
panel. Use it when your
vehicle is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
• Press the button to turn on the
hazard warning function, and the
front and rear direction indicators
will flash.
• Press the button again to turn
them off.
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH WARNING
Failure to inspect and if
necessary repair fuel leaks after
a collision may increase the risk of fire
and serious injury. Ford Motor
Company recommends that the fuel
system be inspected by an authorized
dealer after any collision. In the event of a moderate to severe
collision, this vehicle is equipped with
a fuel pump shut-off feature that
stops the flow of fuel to the engine.
Not every impact will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a
collision, you may restart your vehicle
by doing the following:
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Roadside Emergencies