Ford MILAN 2010 User Manual 2

2010 WRECKER TOWING MANUAL

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.

This manual contains the latest towing procedures for
2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Ford Motor
Company has created easy-to-follow instructions with
illustrations showing the correct hook-up for damage­free towing.

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.

New materials and aerodynamic styling require new
methods of towing to eliminate the possibility of damage
to vehicles when towing. 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.

GENERAL TOWING INFORMATION

NOTE, NOTICE AND WARNING

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 that could result in severe personal injury or death
to yourself or others.

Preparatory Steps

WARNING: NEVER USE A TOW BAR THAT
ATTACHES TO THE FASCIA/BUMPER WHEN
TOWING THE VEHICLE. THE FASCIA/BUMPER
COULD BE DAMAGED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NOTICE: Incorrect towing of the vehicle may result
in damage to the transmission/transaxle, transfer
case, front or rear fascia, steering/suspension or
exhaust. Always follow the outlined towing
procedures. It is recommended that only an
unloaded vehicle be towed.

NOTICE: Always consult the tow equipment
manufacture for specific instructions on how to
operate their equipment.

It is the tow equipment operator’s responsibility to
evaluate and adjust to the specific towing conditions
to prevent damage to the vehicle.

If a vehicle has been modified, consult the
equipment modifier/supplier for the specific towing
equipment.

NOTE: When towing the vehicle, the steering wheel

should be left unlocked.
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 frontal impact that closes
2 crash sensors will deploy an air bag.

NOTE: Turning the ignition switch to OFF will not disable
the Ford air bag system. The air bag deployment system
operates independently of the ignition position.

If the air bags are not deployed, and as a precaution the
air bag system would need to be disabled, disconnect
the battery in a safe manner.

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.

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.

Do not use the vehicle steering column lock to lock the
wheels in a straight-ahead position when towed from the
front or rear. If equipped with an ignition key and the
ignition key is not available, place a dolly underneath the
driving wheels of the vehicle and tow with the non-drive
wheels raised.

Brake-Shift Interlock

All Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles incorporate a brake-shift
interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being
moved from PARK when the ignition is in the ON position,
unless the brake pedal is depressed. 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 or transaxle section in the driving section of the
applicable Owner’s Literature.

FCS-12141-10 1 July, 2009

Flat Beds

NOTICE: On vehicles equipped with an air
suspension system, be sure the air suspension
service switch is turned off prior to vehicle tie down.

NOTICE: Never fasten J-hooks
to any suspension or driveline
components.

When using a flatbed to transport a vehicle, unless
indicated otherwise, use T-hooks inserted in the
appropriate tie-down slot. Never fasten J-hooks to any

suspension wheel or driveline component because
J-hooks will damage these components. When using

winches, care must be taken to avoid damaging the
fascia/bumper system, lower body panels or air dams.

Wheel Lift

NOTICE: Check vehicle specifications for raised
vehicle height requirements. If these height
requirements are not followed, damage to the body
and/or the underbody may result.

NOTICE: When towing over very rough or crowned
intersection roads, the following special procedures
are required when using any wheel lift equipment.
The vehicle must be secured to the wheel lift
equipment using safety chains equipped with T­hooks or safety hooks. If these procedures are not
followed, damage to the underbody may result from
excessive jounce travel of the suspension.

1. Attach the safety chain T-hooks in the appropriate slot
of the body or frame of the vehicle to be towed unless
otherwise specified.

2. Run the chain through the hooks on the wheel lift
crossbar and attach it to the towing vehicle.

3. Make sure that there is no slack in the safety chain
between the vehicle and the crossbar.

4. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the other side of the vehicle.

Slingbelts

Ford Motor Company does not
recommend the use of slingbelt
towing. Using slingbelt towing
procedures may cause damage
to the fascia, lower body panels,
air dams or other components.

NOTE: On rough pavement, the maximum towing speed
is 35 mph (55 km/h). Maximum towing speed of 35 mph
(55 km/h) should be used whenever the tow truck
operator is not sure of road surface condition.

See specific model instructions for vehicle towing speed
and distance limitations.

UNLTD = Unlimited miles, at speeds up to 50 mph (80
km/h).

Refer to the dolly manufacturer for speed and weight
limitations.

Towing Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with Lever­Operated Transfer Case – F-150, F-250 through
F-550

1. Place the automatic transmission in PARK or
manual transmission in 1st gear.

2. NOTE: The transfer case NEUTRAL setting is
located between 4H and 4L. In order to place the
transfer case in NEUTRAL, the lever must be moved
slightly to the left and rearward of the 4H position.
With the ignition in the ON position, both the 4x4 and
LOW RANGE indicators will be OFF when the
transfer case is in NEUTRAL. If the battery is dead,
jump the vehicle to make sure the indicator lights are
off.

Place the transfer case in N (NEUTRAL).

3. NOTE: To verify that the hubs are in the FREE
position, the front driveshaft should turn freely.

On an F-Super Duty, set and verify that the manual
locking hubs are in the FREE position. Use dollies if
the hubs do not unlock.

Towing speed should not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This applies with either the front or rear wheels off
the ground.

Towing Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with
Electronic Shift Transfer Case – F-150, F-250
through F-550, Ranger and Sport-Trac

1. NOTE: With the ignition in the ON position, both the
4x4 HI and the LOW RANGE indicators will be OFF
when the transfer case is in 2 HI. If the battery is
dead, jump the vehicle to make sure the indicator
lights are off.

Towing Speeds and Distance

NOTE: If a distance of 50 mi (80 km) and/or a speed of

35 mph (55 km/h) is exceeded, or when the vehicle is
towed with the drive wheels on the ground, position
dollies under the wheels. Towing speed should not
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) when the vehicle is towed with
the front wheels off the ground. Do not tow with both
front and rear wheels on the ground.

FCS-12141-10 2 July, 2009

2. Place the automatic transmission in PARK or
manual transmission in 1st gear.

3. NOTE: Manual locking hubs apply to F-250 through
F-550 only.

Set the locking hubs to the AUTO position. Verify

that the hubs are unlocked. Use dollies if the hubs
do not unlock. Once these conditions are met, follow
the instructions for towing a 2-wheel drive vehicle.