Deutsch
EnglishTowing for your Ford Ecosport 2012-2022
Towing
Load Placement
TOWING A TRAILER
To help minimize how trailer movement
affects your vehicle when driving:
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond
the maximum recommended gross
trailer weight exceeds the limit of your
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury.
•
•
Load the heaviest items closest to the
trailer floor.
Load the heaviest items centered
between the left and right side trailer
tires.
Load the heaviest items above the
trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow
the final trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
Select a ball mount with the correct
rise or drop and load capacity. When
both the loaded vehicle and trailer are
connected, the trailer frame should be
level, or slightly angled down toward
your vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
•
WARNING: Do not exceed the
GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
•
Note: See Towing a Trailer (page 181).
Your vehicle may have electrical items,
Your vehicle's load capacity designation
is by weight, not by volume, so you cannot
necessarily use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load on
your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after,
any towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a
slight takeoff vibration or shudder may be
present due to the increased payload
weight. Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing is located in another
chapter of this manual. See Load Limit
(page 176).
You can also find information in the RV &
Trailer Towing Guide available at your
authorized dealer, or online.
RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
Website
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
Note: In some cases, if your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it once it begins.
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Towing
This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
Note: Certain states require
electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. Be sure to
check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum
trailer weights listed may be limited
to this specified weight, as the
vehicle’s electrical system may not
include the wiring connector
needed to activate electric trailer
brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for
your vehicle configuration on the
following chart.
individual wheels and if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the traction control warning lamp flashes
and a message will appear in the
information display. Slow your vehicle
down, pull safely to the side of the road
and check for correct load distribution.
See Load Carrying (page 174).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer
weight for your vehicle
configuration listed in the chart
below.
Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight
by 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)
starting at the 1000 foot (300
meter) elevation point.
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Powertrain
trailer weight1 tongue weight1
GCWR
1.0 L Ecoboost
2.0 L 4WD
4,960 lb
1,400 lb
143 lb (65 kg)
(2,250 kg)
(635 kg)
5,754 lb
2,000 lb
(907 kg)
198 lb (90 kg)
(2,610 kg)
1Calculated with SAE J2807 method.
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Towing
When attaching the trailer wiring connector
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.
•
•
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
Note: Install the water proof protection cap
back onto the trailer towing connector
whenever it is not in use. This helps to
prevent water damage and trailer towing
connector malfunction.
Note: You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment.
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.
Color
Function
Yellow
Left direction indicator
and stop lamp
White
Green
Ground (-)
You can find information on load
Right direction indicator
and stop lamp
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 176).
Brown
Running lights
Hitches
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
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.
Trailer Towing Connector(If Equipped)
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.
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Towing
Trailer Brakes
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.
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.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph
(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi
(800 km).
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 loaded.
•
•
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.
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•
Trailer Lamps
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•
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.
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.
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
Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
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.
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Towing
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
TOWING POINTS
Front Towing Point
3. Place the automatic transmission in
park (P).
4. 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:
1. Push the cover.
2. Release the cover.
•
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.
3. Install the recovery hook.
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Towing
Rear Towing Point (If Equipped)
TRANSPORTINGTHEVEHICLE
1. Push the cover.
2. Release the cover.
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.
3. Install the recovery hook.
The recovery hook may be in the following
locations:
We recommend towing your vehicle with
•
•
Inside temporary mobility kit.
Inside Jack and tools storage tray.
a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt.
Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
Note: The recovery hook is available at the
authorized dealer.
It is acceptable to tow a front-wheel drive
vehicle from the front if using proper wheel
lift equipment to raise the front wheels off
the ground. When towing in this manner,
the rear wheels can remain on the ground.
Note: The recovery hook has a left-hand
thread. Turn it counterclockwise to install it
and make sure that it is fully tightened.
Failure to do so could result in the recovery
hook becoming loose.
Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar, use this
to tow other vehicles.
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Towing
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have the
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.
front wheels placed on a two-wheel tow
dolly when towing your vehicle from the
rear using wheel lift equipment. This
prevents damage to the transmission.
Towing a four-wheel drive vehicle requires
that all wheels be off the ground, such as
using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment. This prevents damage to the
transmission, four-wheel drive system and
vehicle.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
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 149).
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 106).
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