Ford Transit Connect (2018 year). Manual — part 41

•

If your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with
RSC and a heavily loaded trailer is on
tow, the system may turn on while
taking corners. This is normal. Taking
corners at slower speeds can reduce
this tendency.

•

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 the vehicle parking brake.

•

Place the transmission selector
lever in position P.

•

Place wheel chocks in front and
back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks
not included with vehicle.)

Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft

Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring
connector before the trailer enters the
water.

Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring
connector 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 inches (15 centimeters) above
the bottom edge of the rear bumper.

Note: Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter your vehicle or its
components, affecting driveability,
emissions and reliability. The vehicle
warranty may not cover component damage
caused by water entry.

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 POINTS

WARNING

The screw-in recovery hook has a
left-hand thread. Turn it
counterclockwise to install it. Make

sure that the recovery hook is fully
tightened. Failure to do so could result in
the recovery hook becoming loose.

Recovery Hook

(If Equipped)

Due to requirements in some countries,
your vehicle may have a recovery hook.

Recovery Hook Storage

E165020

If your vehicle has a recovery hook, it will
be in the luggage compartment on the
left-hand side.

If your vehicle does not have a recovery
hook, you can purchase one from an
authorized dealer.

Front Recovery Hook

E165018

Remove the cover and install the recovery
hook.

Rear Recovery Hook

E165019

Remove the cover and install the recovery
hook.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar, you
cannot install the recovery hook. Use the
tow bar to tow other vehicles.

TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE

E143886

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.

It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or
flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a
slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure. If
the vehicle is towed incorrectly, or by any
other means, vehicle damage may occur.

Ford Motor Company produces a towing
manual for all authorized tow truck
operators. Have your tow truck operator
refer to this manual for proper hook-up
and towing procedures for your vehicle.

You can tow your vehicle from the front
with wheel lift equipment to raise the front
wheels off the ground. We recommend
that you place the rear wheels on a dolly
to prevent damage to the rear of your
vehicle.

You can tow your vehicle from the rear with
wheel lift equipment.

Note: You must place the front wheels on
a dolly to prevent damage to the
transmission.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS

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 is disabled and you have no
access to a tow dolly, car-hauling trailer or
a flatbed transport vehicle, it can only be
flat-towed with all wheels on the ground
under the following conditions:
•

Your vehicle is facing forward so that
it is towed in a forward direction.

•

The transmission selector lever is
placed in position N. If the transmission
gear shift lever cannot be moved to
position N, it may need to be
overridden. See Automatic
Transmission (page 131).

•

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

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Drive off slowly and smoothly without
jerking the vehicle you are towing.

You must only use the towing eye that was
delivered with your vehicle. See Towing
Points (page 167).

Tow ropes or rigid towing bars must be
placed on the same side. For example; right
hand rear towing point to right hand front
towing point.

You must use a tow rope or rigid towing
bar that is of the correct strength for the
weight of the towing vehicle and the
vehicle that is being towed.

The weight of the vehicle that is being
towed must not exceed the weight of the
towing vehicle.

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle.

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
transmission damage may occur. You can
tow your vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are
using a tow dolly, follow the instructions
specified by the equipment provider.

BREAKING-IN

You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.

Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.

Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi
(1,600 km).

REDUCED ENGINE
PERFORMANCE

WARNING

If you continue to drive your vehicle
when the engine is overheating, the
engine could stop without warning.

Failure to follow this instruction could
result in the loss of control of your vehicle.

If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle moves to the upper limit position,
the engine is overheating. See Gauges
(page 79).

You must only drive your vehicle for a short
distance if the engine overheats. The
distance you can travel depends on
ambient temperature, vehicle load and
terrain. The engine continues to operate
with limited power for a short period of
time.

If the engine temperature continues to rise,
the fuel supply to the engine reduces. The
air conditioning switches off and the engine
cooling fan operates continually.

1.

Gradually reduce your speed and stop
your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

2. Immediately switch the engine off to

prevent severe engine damage.

3. Wait for the engine to cool down.

4. Check the coolant level. See Engine

Coolant Check (page 202).

5. Have your vehicle checked as soon as

possible.

ECONOMICAL DRIVING

Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle.

There are some things to keep in mind that
may improve your fuel economy:
•

Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.

•

Drive at steady speeds.

•

Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.

•

Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving (When running
errands, go to the furthest destination
first and then work your way back
home).

•

Close the windows for high-speed
driving.

•

Drive at reasonable speeds.

•

Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.

•

Use the recommended engine oil.

•

Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.

There are also some things you may want
to avoid doing because they reduce your
fuel economy:
•

Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.

•

Avoid revving the engine before turning
off the car.

•

Avoid long idle periods.

•

Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.