Ford 2012 WRECKER TOWING FCS 12141 12 User Manual

2012 WRECKER TOWING MANUAL  
NOTICE: Always consult the tow equipment  
manufacturer, for specific instructions, on how to  
operate their equipment.  
ABOUT THIS WRECKER TOWING MANUAL  
Ford Motor Company salutes and applauds the towing  
industry for many fine years of service to the automotive  
industry. We will continue to work to provide our  
customers with guidelines.  
To prevent damage to the vehicle, it is the tow  
equipment operator’s responsibility to evaluate and  
adjust to the specific towing conditions.  
If a vehicle has been modified, consult the  
equipment modifier or supplier for the specific  
towing instruction.  
This manual contains the latest towing procedures for  
2012 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Motor Company  
has created easy-to-follow instructions with illustrations  
showing the correct hook-up for damage-free towing.  
NOTE: When towing a vehicle, the steering wheel  
should be left unlocked.  
As an additional safety measure, be sure to use safety  
chains on every tow, including wheel lift and flatbed  
hook-ups. This procedure will prevent losing the vehicle  
in the event of equipment failure or vehicle breakage at  
the chain attachment.  
NOTE: Disabling the air bag system is not necessary in  
most cases; an air bag is highly unlikely to deploy during  
towing. Standard towing or recovery procedures on an  
air bag equipped vehicle should not cause air bag  
deployment. Only a significant impact will cause an air  
bag to deploy.  
New body effects and aerodynamic styling require new  
methods of towing; this is to eliminate the possibility of  
damage while in-tow. Wheel lifts or flatbed equipment is  
required to tow Ford Motor Company vehicles. Refer to  
the instructions given for the specific vehicle to be  
towed.  
NOTE: Turning the ignition switch to the OFF position  
will not disable the Ford air bag system; the air bag  
deployment system operates independently of the  
ignition switch position.  
If the air bags are not deployed and as a precaution the  
air bag system needs to be disabled, disconnect the  
battery in a safe manner.  
GENERAL TOWING INFORMATION  
NOTE, NOTICE AND WARNING  
When towing a vehicle, release the parking brake and  
place the transmission/transaxle in NEUTRAL. As a  
general rule, vehicles should be towed with the drive  
wheels off the ground. If the vehicle is to be towed on its  
drive wheels, place the drive wheels on a dolly.  
As you read through this manual, you may come across a  
NOTE, NOTICE or WARNING. Each one is there for a  
specific purpose: A NOTE calls attention to unique,  
additional or essential information related to the subject  
procedure. A NOTICE identifies a hazard that could  
damage the vehicle or property. A WARNING identifies a  
hazard, to yourself or others, that could result in severe  
injury or death.  
When a vehicle is towed on its front wheels, the steering  
wheel must be clamped in the straight-ahead position  
with a steering wheel clamping device designed for  
towing service use, such as those provided by towing  
system manufacturers.  
Preparatory Steps  
WARNING: NEVER USE A TOW BAR THAT  
ATTACHES TO THE FASCIA/BUMPER WHEN  
TOWING A VEHICLE. THE FASCIA/BUMPER COULD  
BE DAMAGED AND/OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.  
Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock, when  
towing from either the front or rear, to lock the wheels in  
a straight-ahead position. If the steering wheel is not  
able to be unlocked, place a dolly underneath the drive  
wheels of the vehicle and tow with the non-drive wheels  
raised.  
NOTICE: Incorrect towing of a vehicle may result in  
damage to the transmission/transaxle, transfer case,  
front or rear fascia, steering/suspension, exhaust,  
etc. Always follow the outlined towing procedures. It  
is recommended that only an unloaded vehicle be  
towed.  
Brake-Shift Interlock  
All Ford and Lincoln vehicles incorporate a brake-shift interlock  
feature that will prevents the gearshift lever from being moved  
from PARK when the ignition switch is in the ON position,  
however, when the brake pedal is depressed, the gearshift  
lever is unlocked and can then be moved. If you cannot move  
the gearshift lever out of PARK with the ignition in the ON  
position and the brake pedal depressed, refer to the automatic  
transmission/transaxle section in the driving section of the  
Owner’s Literature Guide.  
FCS-12141-12  
1
December, 2010  
WARNINGS, NOTICES AND NOTES  
(See page 5 for specific vehicle application)  
WARNING: DO NOT TOW A VEHICLE BACKWARD  
WHEN THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED HAS ALL 4  
WHEELS ON THE GROUND.  
NOTICE: When loading a vehicle on a flatbed,  
crossbeam/spacer blocks must be used to keep the  
cable from coming in contact with the chin spoiler.  
The crossbeam/spacer block can be held in place on  
the frame by using bungee cords.  
I
NOTICE: Ford Motor Company has not approved a  
A
slingbelt towing procedure. It is recommended that  
the vehicle be towed with a flatbed or wheel lift  
equipment. If the vehicle is towed by any other  
means or incorrectly, damage to the vehicle may  
occur.  
J
NOTICE: If the vehicle is to be towed from the front  
B
NOTICE: Do not disconnect the driveshaft since the  
system is aligned and balanced. Connecting the  
driveshaft in the wrong position may cause vibration  
or damage to the driveline.  
K
or rear using wheel lift equipment, the lifted tire  
must be raised to a clearance height ABOVE the  
dollied tire to prevent damage to the vehicle  
undercarriage.  
NOTICE: Manual transmission vehicles MUST have  
the parking brake fully engaged when the rear  
wheels are on the dolly. Failure to apply the parking  
brake may cause damage to the driveline.  
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the bottom of the  
front or rear fascia/bumper covers, it is  
recommended that the vehicle be loaded onto a  
flatbed tow truck with the tow hook attached to a  
canvas strap. If the cable, chain or strap comes in  
contact with the fascia, wrap the tow cable, chain or  
strap with a shop towel.  
L
The clearance height is the difference between the  
bottom of the tire lifted and the bottom of the dollied  
wheel. (See Illustration numbers 3 and/or 5.)  
M
NOTICE: It is recommended that the vehicle (4WD,  
C
AWD, FWD and some RWD) be towed from the rear  
using wheel lift equipment. It is required that the  
front wheels be placed on a dolly to prevent damage  
to the vehicle fascia/bumper and/or the FWD, 4WD  
and AWD system.  
NOTICE: It is recommended that the vehicle (4x2,  
D
NOTICE: When using a flatbed, it is recommended to  
use mini J-hooks to tie down the front of the vehicle.  
Larger J-hooks may cause damage to the  
undercarriage.  
4WD, AWD, RWD and some FWD) be towed from the  
front using wheel lift equipment. It is required that  
the rear wheels be placed on a dolly to prevent  
damage to the vehicle fascia/bumper and/or the  
driveline system.  
N
NOTE: For Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) vehicles, it may  
be necessary to remove the outer rear wheel when  
using wheel lift equipment.  
O
P
NOTICE: On a vehicle equipped with fog lamps or a  
E
sport package, care must be taken not to damage  
the components while loading and towing with a  
wheel lift or flatbed. For flatbed towing, wrap loading  
cable with a shop towel to protect fascia/bumper  
from damage.  
NOTE: On a 4WD vehicle with Electronic Shift on the  
Fly (ESOF), it is recommended that the vehicle be  
towed with a wheel lift and dolly or flatbed  
equipment with all the wheels off the ground.  
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE  
F
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, COMPLETE ALL  
PRE-TOWING, UNDER-VEHICLE ACTIVITY  
(SECURING VEHICLE, CHAINS, STRAPS, ETC.)  
BEFORE TURNING THE KEY TO THE RUN  
POSITION. THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IS  
ACTIVE WHENEVER THE KEY IS IN THE RUN  
POSITION AND WILL DEPLOY IF THE MANUAL  
ACTIVATION BUTTON IS DEPRESSED.  
NOTE: On a 4WD vehicle with Manual Shift on Stop  
(MSOS) and the lever operated transfer case  
positioned in NEUTRAL, it is acceptable to tow the  
vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground.  
Q
R
NOTE: For towing or operating conditions other than  
what is prescribed in this manual, the driveshaft  
must be removed. Always mark the location of the  
driveshaft to the attaching flange before removal so  
the shaft can be correctly indexed upon installation.  
Driveshaft attachment bolts should be replaced with  
new OEM bolts or have threadlocking compound  
added to the original bolts.  
NOTICE: On a vehicle equipped with an air  
G
suspension system, the system switch must be  
turned to the off position before the vehicle can be  
towed. Refer to the Owner’s Literature for the  
procedure and switch location. If the rear air bags  
are deflated, load the vehicle on a flatbed and use a  
4x4 board under the bed to lift the rear of the vehicle  
so that the rear bumper will not drag on the road  
Reinstall the driveshaft as instructed the workshop  
manual.  
NOTICE: When wheel lifting from the rear, the front  
tires must be put on a dolly. Lift the rear wheels and  
secure with a safety strap. Pull the front tires onto  
4x4 blocks using the stinger. Position the dollies to  
the smallest size opening. Secure the dollies with  
safety straps. Refer to Illustration 25.  
S
NOTICE: When a vehicle is towed over rough  
H
pitching roads, such as a crowned road intersection  
at a railroad crossing, towing speed should be  
greatly reduced to avoid damaging the vehicle  
undercarriage.  
FCS-12141-12  
3
December, 2010  
CONTINUED: WARNINGS, NOTICES AND NOTES  
(See page 5 for specific vehicle application)  
NOTICE: For vehicles with side exhaust. For flatbed  
T
towing, secure the rear of the vehicle by using axle  
straps or lasso straps around the rear axle. One  
strap is required on each side of the differential.  
Using the standard T-slot attachment can damage  
the side exiting exhaust. Refer to Illustration 26.  
FCS-12141-12  
4
December, 2010  
TOWING SPECIFICATION AND ILLUSTRATION TABLE  
Flatbed  
Front and Rear Wheel Lift  
Vehicle  
CARS  
Fiesta  
A,B,C,I,M,S  
A,B,C,H,I  
1
1
24  
12  
3
3
5
5
15 in  
18 in  
15 in  
18 in  
W/Dolly  
See 25  
Unltd  
Unltd  
W/Dolly  
See 25  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Focus (FWD)  
W/Dolly  
See 25  
W/Dolly  
See 25  
Fusion/MKZ (AWD)  
A,B,C,D,E,I  
1
1
22  
22  
3
2
5
5
19 in  
19 in  
19 in  
19 in  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Fusion/MKZ Hybrid (AWD)  
Fusion/MKZ (FWD)  
A,B,C,E,I  
Fusion/MKZ Hybrid (FWD)  
Fusion Sport (FWD)  
A,B,C,E,I,M  
1,6,8  
22  
23  
23  
13  
13  
2
3
2
3
3
5
5
19 in  
12 in  
12 in  
16 in  
16 in  
19 in  
12 in  
12 in  
14 in  
14 in  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
N/A  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
N/A  
Taurus/MKS (AWD)  
A,B,C,D,E,H,I,M  
A,B,C,E,H,I,M  
A,B,C,D,I,K,L  
1
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Taurus/MKS (FWD)  
1
1
5
Mustang (RWD) V6 and V8  
Mustang Shelby GT 500 (RWD)  
5
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
A,B,C,D,I,K,L,M,N  
A,B,C,D,I,K,L,M,N  
1,7,8,9  
N/A  
Mustang Boss With Side  
Exhaust (RWD)  
1,7,8,9  
13  
3
N/A  
16 in  
14 in  
W/Dolly  
Unltd  
N/A  
N/A  
TRUCKS  
E-Series, E-150/250/350/450  
Edge/MKX (AWD)  
A,B,E,I,O,R  
1
1
1
14  
20  
20  
3
3
2
4
5
5
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
A,B,C,D,E,H,I  
A,B,C,D,E,H,I  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
Edge/MKX (FWD)  
Escape/Escape Hybrid, (4WD)  
Escape/Escape Hybrid, (FWD)  
A,B,C,D,I  
A,B,C,D,I  
1
1
15  
15  
3
2
5
5
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Expedition/Navigator (4WD)  
Expedition/Navigator (RWD)  
Explorer (AWD)  
A,B,C,D,G,I,Q,R  
A,B,D,G,I,R  
1
1
18  
18  
21  
21  
18  
18  
16  
16  
21  
21  
18  
11  
3
3
5
4
12 in  
12 in  
15 in  
15 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
15 in  
15 in  
N/A  
12 in  
12 in  
15 in  
15 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
12 in  
15 in  
15 in  
N/A  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Unltd  
* Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
* Unltd  
Unltd  
* Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
N/A  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
Unltd  
N/A  
A,B,C,D,E,H,I,M  
A,B,C,E,H,I,M  
A,B,C,D,G,I,Q,R  
A,B,D,G,I,R  
1
3
5
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
Explorer (FWD)  
1
2
5
F-150 (4WD)  
1
3
5
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
W/O  
F-150 (RWD)  
1
3
4
F-250/350/450/550 (4WD)  
F-250/350/450/550 (RWD)  
Flex/MKT (AWD)  
Flex/MKT (FWD)  
A,B,I,J,O,P,Q,R  
A,B,J,I,O,R  
1,10  
1,10  
1
3
5
** W/O  
** W/O  
W/Dolly  
W/Dolly  
N/A  
3
4
A,B,C,D,E,H,I,M  
A,B,C,E,H,I,M  
A,G,I,R  
3
5
1
2
5
Raptor  
1
N/A  
2
N/A  
5
N/A  
Transit Connect  
A,B,C,H,I  
1
12 in  
12 in  
W/O  
Unltd  
W/Dolly  
Unltd  
* In case of an emergency, the vehicle can be towed with the drive wheels on the ground up to a speed of 35 mph (55 km/h) and up to a distance of 50 mi  
(80 km).  
** On a 4X2/4X4 vehicle in 2HI and the hubs in the AUTO/FREE position, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground (without  
dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.  
FCS-12141-12  
5
December, 2010  
ILLUSTRATIONS  
1
9
2
3
4
Clearance Height  
10  
5
6
7
Clearance Height  
T
FT  
W
FW  
11  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FT  
FT  
FW  
FW  
W
W
8
Use FT tie-downs for  
flatbed only.  
Wrap rear axle for safety  
chains on wheel lift.  
FCS-12141-12  
6
December, 2010  
12  
19  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FW  
T&FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FT  
FT  
FW  
FW  
13  
14  
15  
16  
17  
20  
21  
22  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FT  
FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T
T
FT  
FT  
FW  
FW  
T
T
FW  
FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FW  
FW  
FW  
FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FRONT  
FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FW  
FW  
T
T
FW  
FW  
W
FT  
FT  
W
T&FT  
23  
FRONT  
FRONT  
T&FT  
1
T&FT  
T&FT  
2
FW  
FW  
T&FT  
2
T&FT  
1
T&FT  
Note 1: Without class III trailer hitch  
Note 2: With class III trailer hitch  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FT  
W
W
FW  
FW  
18  
FT  
T&FW  
T&FW  
T&FT  
T&FT  
FT  
Loop safety chain through the subframe hole  
and then connect hook.  
FT  
FCS-12141-12  
7
December, 2010  
24  
25  
26  
FCS-12141-12  
8
December, 2010  

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