2022 Ford Bronco Owners Manual - Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle - Automatic Transmission

Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle - Automatic Transmission

WARNING:  Do not disconnect the battery when recreationally towing your vehicle. This prevents the transfer case from shifting properly and could cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P).    WARNING:  Placing the transfer case in its neutral position could cause your vehicle to freely roll. Make sure you press and hold the brake pedal and the vehicle is in a secure, safe position when you place the transfer case in its neutral position.

Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. These guidelines are to make sure that you do not damage the transmission.

You can only tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position by engaging the recreational tow feature. Perform the following steps after positioning your vehicle behind the tow vehicle and properly securing them together.

Note:   Switch the climate control system to recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle.

Note:   Failure to put the transfer case in its neutral position can damage vehicle components.

Note:   You can check the towing status at any time by opening the driver door or turning the ignition to the accessory or on position. Neutral Tow Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral appears in the instrument cluster display to confirm you can recreationally tow your vehicle.

Note:   A tone could sound for up to 30 minutes if you recreationally tow with the doors removed.

Note:   When equipped, electronic brake booster deactivates when neutral tow is enabled.

Switching Neutral Tow On

1. Switch your vehicle to accessory mode by pressing the push button ignition switch without pressing any pedals.

1. Press the 2H button on the four-wheel drive mode control.

1. Press and hold the brake pedal and shift the transmission to neutral (N).

1. Using the instrument cluster controls on the steering wheel, select Settings.

1. Select Neutral Tow.

1. Press and hold the OK button until a confirmation message appears in the instrument cluster display.

1. If completed successfully, the instrument cluster display shows Neutral Tow Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral. This indicates that your vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground.

Note:   If you do not see a confirmation message in the instrument cluster display, perform the procedure again from the beginning.

Note:   You may hear noise as the transfer case shifts into its neutral position. This is normal.

1. Release the brake pedal and leave the transmission in neutral (N).

1. Switch your vehicle off by pressing the push button ignition switch once without pressing any pedals.

Switching Neutral Tow Off

1. With your vehicle properly secured to the tow vehicle, switch your vehicle to accessory mode by pressing the push button ignition switch without pressing any pedals.

1. Starting with the brake pedal released and the transmission in neutral (N), fully press and hold the brake pedal for approximately seven seconds and shift the transmission to park (P). Continue holding the brake pedal until the instrument cluster display shows 2H and Neutral Tow Disabled.

Note:   If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displays 2H and Neutral Tow Disabled.

Note:   Perform the switching neutral tow on and switching neutral tow off procedures again from the beginning if the indicator and message do not display.

Note:   You could hear a noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.

1. Release the brake pedal.

1. Apply the parking brake, then disconnect your vehicle from the tow vehicle.

1. Release the parking brake, start your vehicle, and shift into either drive (D) or reverse (R) to make sure the transfer case is out of the neutral tow position.

1. If the transfer case did not successfully shift out of its neutral position, set the parking brake. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Resolving the Shift Delayed Drive Forward Message

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.

1. Press the push button ignition switch.

1. With the vehicle running, shift into drive (D). Let the vehicle roll forward up to 1 m (3 ft).

Note:   You could hear a noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.

1. Make sure the instrument cluster displays Neutral Tow Disabled.

EMERGENCY TOWING

If you need to tow your vehicle, contact a professional towing service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your roadside assistance service provider.

TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – INFORMATION MESSAGES