Ford Ranger (2011 year). Manual — part 36

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.

The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.

Trailer lamps

Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking-up trailer lamps.

Driving while you tow

When towing a trailer:
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles

(800 km) of trailer towing and don’t make full-throttle starts.

• Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off

automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.

• Use a lower gear to eliminate excessive automatic transmission

shifting and assist in transmission cooling. For additional information,
refer to Automatic transmission operation in the Driving chapter.

• Under extreme conditions with large frontal trailers, high outside

temperatures and highway speeds, the coolant gauge may indicate
higher than normal coolant temperatures. If this occurs, reduce speed
until the coolant temperature returns to the normal range. Refer to
Gauges in the Instrument Cluster chapter.

• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate

stops and brake gradually.

Servicing after towing

Trailer towing tips
• Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to

get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.

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147

• To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot

weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or neutral (manual transmissions).

• After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your

hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.

• If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly

conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to the Maintenance and Specifications chapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) with no full throttle starts.

• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must

park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.

Launching or retrieving a boat

Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed 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 any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.

RECREATIONAL TOWING

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.

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the Climate
Controls chapter for more information.

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148

Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission:

Before you tow your vehicle:
• Release the parking brake.
• Move the gearshift to the neutral position.
• Turn the key in the ignition to the off/unlocked position.
• The maximum towing speed is 55 mph (88 km/h).
• The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.
• Put 4WD switch in 2WD mode (4WD only)
• The vehicle must be towed in the forward direction to ensure no

damage is done to the internal transmission components.

In addition, it is recommended that you follow the instructions provided
by the aftermarket manufacturer of the towing equipment, if provided.

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, see Wrecker
towing in the Roadside Emergencies chapter.

2WD vehicles equipped with an automatic transmissions: Do not
tow your vehicle with any 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, no recreational towing is permitted.

4WD vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and
electronic shift transfer case (Neutral tow kit accessory):

On vehicles equipped with 4WD, an accessory is available that allows you
to tow your vehicle, behind another vehicle, with all the wheels on the
ground. Contact your authorized dealer for more details. Do not tow your
vehicle with all wheels on the ground unless you install the neutral tow
kit as vehicle damage may occur.

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, see Wrecker
towing in the Roadside Emergencies chapter.

CAMPER BODIES

Your vehicle is not recommended for slide-in camper bodies.

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149

STARTING

Positions of the ignition

1. Accessory — allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.

2. Lock — locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For
vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, you must press the
ignition release lever to release the
key.

3. Off — shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the
steering wheel.

4. On — all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.

5. Start — cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.

Preparing to start your vehicle

Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.

Note: This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.

When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the engine in this chapter.

WARNING: Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,

creating the risk of fire or other damage.

WARNING: Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the

engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.

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Driving

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