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2018 Ford Focus Owners Manual - Towing



Towing

a trailer with your vehicle.

TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE

It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with 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 the vehicle is 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.

You can tow your vehicle from the front with wheel lift equipment to raise the front wheels off the ground. We recommend that you place the rear wheels on a dolly to prevent damage to the rear of your vehicle.

You can tow your vehicle from the rear with wheel lift equipment.

Note: You must place the front wheels on a dolly to prevent damage to the transmission.

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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.

If your vehicle has a steering wheel lock make sure the ignition is in the accessory or on position when being

towed.

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See Climate Control (page 104).

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You can tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or 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. If you tow your vehicle with all

Your vehicle is not approved for recreational towing with all four wheels on the ground.

wheels on the ground, follow these

instructions:

    Tow only with your vehicle in the forward direction. Release the parking brake.
    Place the transmission in neutral.

Note: The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (112 km/h).

If your vehicle has a steering wheel lock make sure the ignition is in the accessory or on position when being

towed.

You can flat-tow (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and 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 neutral (N). If you cannot place the transmission in neutral (N), you may need to override it. See Transmission (page 140).
    Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
    Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

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

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 designed to ensure that your transmission is not damaged.

Your vehicle can be towed 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.

If your vehicle has a steering wheel lock make sure the ignition is in the accessory or on position when being

towed.

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You can flat-tow (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and 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 neutral (N). If you cannot place the transmission in neutral (N), you may need to override it. See Transmission (page 140).

• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

• Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See Climate Control (page 104).

Note: There must be battery power to move the transmission's internal components to neutral (N) properly in Step 3. In addition, moving the gearshift to the neutral (N) position without first switching the ignition to the on position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 mi

(80 km).

    Release the parking brake.
    Switch the ignition to the on position.
    Press the brake pedal, and then move the gearshift to the neutral (N) position.
    Wait for a message in the information and entertainment display indicating that the transmission is ready, and then switch off the ignition and release the brake pedal.
    Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 222).

Note: The anti-theft system does not work until you reconnect the battery cable.

Note: The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (112 km/h).

Note: There is no limit on towing distance.

After towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting the battery cable. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 222).

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See Climate Control (page 104).

Note: There must be battery power to move the transmission's internal components to neutral (N) properly in Step 3. In addition, moving the gearshift to the neutral (N) position without first switching the ignition to the on position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 mi

(80 km).

    Release the parking brake.
    Switch on the ignition by pressing the keyless start button, but do not apply the brake pedal.
    Press the brake pedal, and then move the gearshift to the neutral (N) position. Release the brake pedal.
    Wait for a message indicating that the transmission is ready in the information and entertainment display, and then switch off the ignition by pressing the keyless start button.
    Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. You need the door key to lock and unlock doors when the battery cable is disconnected. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 222).

Note: The anti-theft system does not work until you reconnect the battery cable.

Note: The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (112 km/h).

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Note: There is no limit on towing distance.

After towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting the battery cable. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 222).

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