Ford 2010 Wrecker Towing Manual

ABOUT THIS WRECKER TOWING MANUAL
Ford Motor Company salutes and applauds the towing
industry for many fine years of service to the automotive
industry. We will continue to work to provide our
customers with guidelines.
This manual contains the latest towing procedures for
2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Ford Motor
Company has created easy-to-follow instructions with
illustrations showing the correct hook-up for damage-
free towing.
As an additional safety measure, be sure to use safety
chains on every tow, including wheel lift and flatbed
hook-ups. This procedure will prevent losing the vehicle
in the event of equipment failure or vehicle breakage at
the chain attachment.
New materials and aerodynamic styling require new
methods of towing to eliminate the possibility of damage
to vehicles when towing. Wheel lifts or flatbed equipment
is required to tow Ford Motor Company vehicles. Refer
to the instructions given for the specific vehicle to be
towed.
GENERAL TOWING INFORMATION
NOTE, NOTICE AND WARNING
As you read through this manual, you may come across a
NOTE, NOTICE or WARNING. Each one is there for a
specific purpose. A NOTE calls attention to unique,
additional or essential information related to the subject
procedure. A NOTICE identifies a hazard that could
damage the vehicle or property. A WARNING identifies a
hazard that could result in severe personal injury or death
to yourself or others.
Preparatory Steps
WARNING: NEVER USE A TOW BAR THAT
ATTACHES TO THE FASCIA/BUMPER WHEN
TOWING THE VEHICLE. THE FASCIA/BUMPER
COULD BE DAMAGED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NOTICE: Incorrect towing of the vehicle may result
in damage to the transmission/transaxle, transfer
case, front or rear fascia, steering/suspension or
exhaust. Always follow the outlined towing
procedures. It is recommended that only an
unloaded vehicle be towed.
FCS-12141-10
2010 WRECKER TOWING MANUAL
1
NOTICE: Always consult the tow equipment
manufacture for specific instructions on how to
operate their equipment.
It is the tow equipment operator's responsibility to
evaluate and adjust to the specific towing conditions
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
If a vehicle has been modified, consult the
equipment modifier/supplier for the specific towing
equipment.
NOTE: When towing the vehicle, the steering wheel
should be left unlocked.
NOTE: Disabling the air bag system is not necessary in
most cases. An air bag is highly unlikely to deploy during
towing. Standard towing or recovery procedures on an
air bag equipped vehicle should not cause air bag
deployment. Only a significant frontal impact that closes
2 crash sensors will deploy an air bag.
NOTE: Turning the ignition switch to OFF will not disable
the Ford air bag system. The air bag deployment system
operates independently of the ignition position.
If the air bags are not deployed, and as a precaution the
air bag system would need to be disabled, disconnect
the battery in a safe manner.
Release the parking brake and place the
transmission/transaxle in NEUTRAL. As a general rule,
vehicles should be towed with the drive wheels off the
ground. If the vehicle is to be towed on its drive wheels,
place the drive wheels on a dolly.
When a vehicle is towed on its front wheels, the steering
wheel must be clamped in the straight-ahead position
with a steering wheel clamping device designed for
towing service use, such as those provided by towing
system manufacturers.
Do not use the vehicle steering column lock to lock the
wheels in a straight-ahead position when towed from the
front or rear. If equipped with an ignition key and the
ignition key is not available, place a dolly underneath the
driving wheels of the vehicle and tow with the non-drive
wheels raised.
Brake-Shift Interlock
All Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles incorporate a brake-shift
interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being
moved from PARK when the ignition is in the ON position,
unless the brake pedal is depressed. If you cannot move the
gearshift lever out of PARK with the ignition in the ON position
and the brake pedal depressed, refer to the automatic
transmission or transaxle section in the driving section of the
applicable Owner's Literature.
July, 2009