Ford Fusion: Towing / 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.
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.
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 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 1500 lb (680 kg) when load.
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
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
transmission 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:
- Turn the steering wheel to point your
vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
- Set your vehicle parking brake.
- Place the transmission in park (P).
- Place wheel chocks in front and back
of the trailer wheels. Chocks are not
included with your 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
you submerge the rear axle in water. Water
may contaminate the rear axle lubricant,
which is not a normal maintenance
inspection item unless there is a possibility
of a leak or other axle repair is required.
Note: Do not exceed the trailer
weight for your vehicle
configuration listed in the chart
below.
Note: Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area...
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
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
followi..
Other information:
WARNING:
Never inflate a tire that has been run flat without first
removing the tire from the wheel to inspect for damage. A damaged tire
can fail during inflation. Failure to follow this instruction may result
in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Do not mount tube-type tires on tubeless wheels or tubeless
tires on tube-type wheels. Incorrect combinations could result ..
Removal
NOTICE:
Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the
performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners
may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if
replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser
quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.
With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position ..