2022 Ford Escape Owners Manual - Towing Your Vehicle

Towing Your Vehicle

TOWING YOUR VEHICLE PRECAUTIONS



Use the following guidelines when towing your vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction could result in vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Note:   Make sure you properly secure your vehicle to the tow vehicle.

Note:   If you are unsure of the vehicle’s configuration, contact an authorized dealer.

RECREATIONALLY TOWING YOUR VEHICLE - GASOLINE, AWD



You cannot recreational tow your vehicle with all wheels on the ground because vehicle or transmission damage could occur. You must recreational tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow your vehicle.

RECREATIONALLY TOWING YOUR VEHICLE - GASOLINE, FWD



You cannot recreational tow your vehicle with all wheels on the ground because vehicle or transmission damage could occur. 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.

Note:   Release the parking brake before towing your vehicle.

RECREATIONALLY TOWING YOUR VEHICLE - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)/PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)



Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. These guidelines ensure that you do not damage the transmission.

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

You can tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground under the following conditions:

• You switch Neutral Tow on.
• Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.
• You release the parking brake.
• You do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).

Switching Neutral Tow On

1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory mode.

1. Press the menu button on the steering wheel to enter the information display main menu.

1. Select Settings.

1. Select Neutral Tow.

1. Follow the instructions on the information display.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

1. Shift into neutral (N).

1. Switch the ignition off.

Note:   Switching neutral tow on requires battery power.

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

Note:   If your vehicle has an ignition key, you cannot remove the key from the ignition when the transmission is in neutral (N) and your vehicle is off.

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, switch neutral tow on.

EMERGENCY TOWING - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)/PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)

If your vehicle becomes inoperable without access to wheel dollies or a vehicle transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with 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.
• You switch Neutral Tow on.
• You release the parking brake.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (55 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Switching Neutral Tow On

1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory mode.

1. Press the menu button on the steering wheel to enter the instrument cluster display main menu.

1. Select Settings.

1. Select Vehicle Settings.

1. Select Neutral Tow.

1. Follow the instructions on the instrument cluster display.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

1. Shift into neutral (N).

1. Switch your vehicle off.

Note:   Failure to follow these instructions could result in damage to the transmission.

Note:   Switching neutral tow on requires battery power.

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

Switching Neutral Tow Off

1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory mode.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

1. Shift into park (P).

EMERGENCY TOWING - 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – 8F24



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.

EMERGENCY TOWING - 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – 8F35

If your vehicle becomes inoperable without access to wheel dollies or a vehicle transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with 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.
• Use the manual park release procedure.   See   Using Manual Park Release.  Failure to do so may result in damage to the transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – INFORMATION MESSAGES - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)/PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)