Ford Explorer (2018 year). Manual - part 61

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

•

Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.

•

See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.

•

Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See 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 the Load Carrying chapter.  See
Load Limit (page 238).

Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your 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 tongue.

Weight-distributing Hitches

WARNING

Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer.

Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury.

When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:

1.

Park the loaded vehicle, without the
trailer, on a level surface.

2. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.

3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle

without the weight-distributing bars
connected.

4. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.

5. Install and adjust the tension in the

weight-distributing bars so that the
height of your vehicle's front wheel
opening on the fender is approximately
half the way down from H2, toward H1.

6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly

nose down toward your vehicle. If not,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat Steps 2-6.

When the trailer is level or slightly nose
down toward the vehicle:
•

Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.

•

Check that the trailer tongue securely
attaches and locks onto the hitch.

•

Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer
brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.

Safety Chains

Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.

Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.

To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross
them 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 are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.

The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.

Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1,500 lb
(680 kg) when loaded.

Trailer Lamps

WARNING

Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system

resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required.

Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.

Before Towing a Trailer

Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your 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 mi
(800 km).

•

Do not make full-throttle starts.

•

Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).

•

When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in park (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.

•

Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:

1.

Turn the steering wheel to point your
vehicle tires away from traffic flow.

2. Set your vehicle parking brake.

3. Place the automatic transmission in

park (P).

4. Place wheel chocks in front and back

of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not
included 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 removing 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 in (15 cm) 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 driveability, emissions, and
reliability.

Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime
the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Water may have contaminated the rear
axle lubricant, which is not normally
checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or other axle repair is required.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS - 2.3L
ECOBOOST™

Emergency Towing

If your vehicle becomes inoperable
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle), it can be flat-towed (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.

•

Place the transmission in position N. If
you cannot move the transmission into
N, you may need to override it.  See
Transmission (page 184).

•

Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

WARNING

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

towed.

Recreational Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle.  See
Climate Control (page 132).

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. We
designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your transmission.

Front-wheel drive 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.

Four-wheel drive 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 recreational tow your vehicle.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS - 3.5L
DURATEC/3.5L ECOBOOST™

Emergency Towing

If your vehicle becomes inoperable
(without access to wheel dollies or vehicle
transport trailer), it can be flat-towed (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.

•

Shift into neutral (N). If you cannot
shift into neutral (N), you may need to
override it.  See Transmission (page
184).

•

Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

WARNING

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

towed.

Recreational Towing

Note:  Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle.  See
Climate Control (page 132).

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. We
designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your transmission.

You can tow your 3.5L EcoBoost or 3.5L
Duratec equipped vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.

If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground:
•

Tow only in the forward direction.

•

Release the parking brake.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

1.

Start the vehicle by pressing the brake
pedal, and then pressing the keyless
start button until the vehicle starts.

2. Press the brake pedal and shift the

gearshift into neutral (N).

3. Turn the vehicle off by pressing the

keyless start button once.

4. 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 291).

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

Start the engine within 15 minutes of
reconnecting the battery cable.

Vehicles with an Ignition Key

1.

Start the vehicle by pressing the brake
pedal, and then turning the ignition key
until the vehicle starts.