Vehicle - Flat Towing (4 Wheels On Ground) Information
TSB 11-7-1507/12/11
6F35 TRANSMISSION - RECREATIONAL TOWING -
WITH ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE GROUND-EXPANDED
GUIDELINES TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION DAMAGE
FORD:
2010-2012 Fusion
2009-2012 Escape
MERCURY:
2010-2011 Milan
2009-2011 Mariner
This article supersedes TSB 09-20-13 to update the vehicle model years Service Guidelines.
ISSUE
Some 2009-2012 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2012 Fusion 2010-2011 Milan vehicles equipped with a 6F35 automatic transmission, may experience transmission shift concerns after towing the vehicle with all 4 wheels on the ground (flat tow) such as behind a motor home or a truck. The transmission shift concern may be caused by heat build up in the transmission due to the transmission fluid level being too high, towing speeds above 105 Km/h (65 MPH) and/or not stopping to run the engine at idle for 5 minutes every six hours or less, to cool the transmission.
ACTION
Follow the Service Guideline steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE GUIDELINE
There are specific instructions listed in the Owner Guide that must be followed to recreational tow/flat tow/tow a vehicle with all 4 tires on the ground. Advise customers of the following expanded recreational towing guidelines.
1. Transmission fluid level must be checked at operating temperature of 85 °C - 93 °C (185 °F - 200 °F), per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01. At this temperature, adjust fluid level to the flat tow area on the dipstick . This level is within the safe operating fluid level and does not require the customer to have the fluid level readjusted after flat tow operation. (Figure 1)
2. Tow the vehicle in a forward direction.
3. Maximum towing speed is 105 Km/h (65 MPH).
4. Do not flat tow the vehicle for greater than 6 hours at a time.
5. Start and run the engine for:
a. 5 minutes before towing each day.
b. 5 minutes every 6 hours or less.
c. 5 minutes at idle with foot on the brake while shifting through all gears.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to the transmission due to overheating.
There are two different dipstick designs, one is a flat blade, the other is wire with a bullet end. The wire-with-bullet end has a different filler tube vent design. Both dipsticks are capable of giving a correct fluid setting but the dipsticks are not interchangeable, The wire dipstick is sold in a kit with the filler tube and both parts must be used if a new dipstick or filler tube is required.
If setting the fluid level for a customer that will be recreational flat towing the vehicle, set the level between minimum line and the minimum hole at the bottom of the hash marks on a blade type dipstick or in the Flat Tow area below the hash marks of the bullet-on-a-wire type dipstick per WSM, Section 307-01. (Figure 1)
NOTE
THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK READINGS BETWEEN A COLD TRANSMISSION AND A TRANSMISSION AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FAILURE TO CHECK TRANS FLUID LEVEL AT TRANS OPERATING TEMPERATURE, PER WSM SECTION 307-01 MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION.
If the vehicle is a 2009 Escape or Mariner and built on or before 10/28/2008 the dipstick does not have Minimum - Maximum lines outside of hash marks, then replace dipstick and filler tube with the new design level service kit. Both the filler tube and dipstick must be replaced.
For customers that do not comply with the Flat Tow guidelines, Ford Motor Company is aware of an accessory cooling pump available from Remco Industries that a customer can purchase and have installed. This pump may provide an alternative to the Owner Guide Flat Tow guidelines by circulating transmission fluid during towing operations; however, Ford Motor Company does not warrant this aftermarket product. Further, the use of an aftermarket product may void your Ford Motor Company warranty coverage if this product results in damage to the vehicle. Ford Motor Company continues to recommend that customers follow the Owner Guide Flat Tow guidelines
Parts Block
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
7A020 42
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