Ford Edge (2018 year). Manual — part 58

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 miles (80
kilometers).

•

When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position 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

position 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
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.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS - 6-SPEED
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- 6F35

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 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.

•

Place the transmission in neutral (N).
If you cannot move the transmission
into neutral (N), you may need to
override it. See Transmission (page
174).

•

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

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Recreational Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle. See
Climate Control (page 126).

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.

2.0L EcoBoost vehicles with automatic
transmission (6F35) CANNOT be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as
vehicle or transmission damage may occur.

Front-wheel Drive Vehicles

We recommend you tow your vehicle with
the front wheels off the ground by using a
tow dolly, or with all four wheels off the
ground using a vehicle transport trailer. If
you are using a tow dolly, follow the
instructions specified by the equipment
provider.

All-wheel Drive Vehicles

We recommend you tow your vehicle with
all four (4) wheels off the ground using a
vehicle transport trailer. Otherwise, you
cannot recreational tow your vehicle.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS - 6-SPEED
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- 6F50/6F55

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 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.

•

Place the transmission in neutral (N).
If you cannot move the transmission
into neutral (N), you may need to
override it. See Transmission (page
174).

•

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

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Recreational Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle. See
Climate Control (page 126).

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 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.5L
(6F50 or 6F55) 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 (If
Equipped)

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 279).

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 (If
Equipped)

1.

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

2. Press the brake pedal and shift the

transmission into neutral (N).

3. Turn the vehicle off by turning the

ignition key past the accessory position.
The key position is between the
accessory and off positions.

4. Disconnect the negative (black) cable

from the battery. See Changing the
12V Battery (page 279).

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.

All Vehicles

•

Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).

•

Start the engine and allow it to run for
five minutes at the beginning of each
day and every six hours thereafter. With
the engine running and your foot on the
brake, shift into drive (D) and then into
reverse (R) before shifting back into
neutral (N).

Front-wheel Drive Vehicles

Alternatively, you can tow your front-wheel
drive vehicle with the front wheels off the
ground by using a tow dolly, or with all four
wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer. If you are using a tow
dolly, follow the instructions specified by
the equipment provider.

All-wheel Drive Vehicles

Alternatively, you can tow your all-wheel
drive vehicle with all four wheels off the
ground using a vehicle transport trailer. Do
not tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with
the front wheels off the ground (by using
a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the
ground. This causes damage to your
all-wheel drive system. If you are using a
vehicle transport trailer, follow the
instruction specified by the equipment
provider.