Vehicle - Towing Behind Recreational Vehicles

Article No.
99-1-2

01/25/99

TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES -
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES

FORD:
1996-99 ESCORT

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996-99 TRACER

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to include vehicles built through the 1999 model year.

ISSUE
The following TSB article refers to the procedures that should be followed when towing one of the subject vehicles behind a recreational vehicle or any other vehicle.

ACTION
Refer to the following statements for proper towing procedures.

Towing a manual transaxle-equipped vehicle behind another vehicle is allowed only when towing the vehicle forward.

The following procedures must be followed:

^ The parking brake must be released

^ The gearshift must be in the Neutral position

^ The ignition switch must be in the ACC position

^ The battery must be disconnected to prevent battery drain

^ The steering wheel must be unlocked

The vehicle may only be towed in the forward position with the front wheels on the ground without damage to the transaxle.

NOTE
DO NOT TOW YOUR MANUAL TRANSAXLE VEHICLE AT A SPEED FASTER THAN 105 KM/H (65 MPH). THE MAXIMUM TOWING DISTANCE IS UNLIMITED.

NOTE
DO NOT USE A TOW BAR THAT ATTACHES TO THE BUMPER WHEN TOWING YOUR VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND/OR MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Towing an automatic transaxle vehicle behind another vehicle is not recommended unless a front wheel drive dolly or trailer is used.

NOTE
DO NOT TOW YOUR AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT WHEELS ON THE GROUND OR TRANSAXLE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 96-17-12

WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY

OASIS CODES: 505000, 590000