2009 Ford Focus Toad Instructions

[thomhoch]

Hi All.
I'm new to IRV2, so please bear with me as I learn how to post and ask questions. If this question is covered somewhere else, let me know where.

I'm planning to buy a '09 Ford Focus with manual transmission to tow behind our Newmar KSDP. Everything I read says this car is 4 wheels down towable.

I read in the Focus Owners Manual today that in order to tow the Focus on it's 4 wheels, one should put the transmission in neutral, make sure the parking brake is NOT engaged, and turn the key switch to the "Off" position. On the very next page of the owners manual is a description of the 4 key switch positions... off, accessory, run, start. It says that in the "off" position, the steering wheel lock is engaged.

We've been towing for two years and have never had the steering wheel locked. But now we're confronted with Ford's Owner's manual telling us to have the steering lock engaged. This just doesn't sound right. Don't the wheels have to be free to caster in order to minimize tire wear???

I'd love to hear first hand from others towing a Focus. What do you do? Have you had any problems??

Thanks in advance...

TDHoch

[RV Wizard]

TD, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I took the liberty to move your thread into this section of the forum for more exposure to the towing crowd. Although I have not towed a Ford Focus, could it be that if you do not remove the key the wheel will not lock? You could try turning it after you turn off the ignition to see. Let the rest of us know what you find and I am sure those that are towing your make and model will chime in on the question soon. Take care and enjoy the website.

[ruppr]

Hey TDHoch,
Hope I can help somewhat, we tow a '07. Owner's manual sezs the same confusing instructions. Turn your key to the accessory position and tow away, have never had a problem, including battery rundown.

Would recommend buying a spare key (made anywhere) without the computer chip contained within, (much cheaper) this will allow you to turn the key to the accessory position, but the key cannot be used by anyone to start the car. Thereby eliminating a major problem of the key being in the switch.

Best,

Bob

[thomhoch]

Bob, thanks for your response. That's the information I was hoping to get. I'll also get that key you discussed... it sounds like a good idea.

T

[donie]

FWIW, we just had our 09 Jeep setup to tow 4 down and Im using a nonchipped key when towing turned to the first click as previously stated.

[thomhoch]

Here's the status of this topic:

Before purchasing the car and going for another, more thorough test drive, I found that when the key is turned from the "run" position to the "off" position, the steering does NOT lock until the key is removed. As the key is removed you can hear the mechanical "clunk" of the locking pin engaging.

So the Ford manual is right... put the car in neutral, release the parking brake, and shut the car off (key in OFF position). What it doesn't say is to NOT remove the key.

I'm not sure if the '09s are changed from earlier model years, but that's what I've found so far.

Thom Hoch

[ruppr]

Goes to show Thom, they can't leave things alone! On the 07, my steering is not unlocked unless the key is turned to the accessory position.

Best,

Bob