It is official - Ford Escape no longer towable

[The Shadow]

I was at my dealer today and learned that as of Feb 2012 the Ford Escape is NO LONGER TOWABLE FOUR DOWN.

Apparently those of us who bought earlier to tow are fine and still covered by warranty (our Escape has been towed over 10,000 kilometres with no problems).

You will find the supplement to the Operator's Manual here:

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../1260lsu1e.pdf

[The Shadow]

One more point - the Fusion has the 6F35 transmission as well and same it has the same manual supplement.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../1260lsu1e.pdf

[Rmblaster]

Bad links

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by Rmblaster

Bad links

They both just worked for me.

past this into your browser if it is having trouble.


http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../1260lsu1e.pdf

[jablair]

Then there is the couple who spent a week or so at the campground were I work camp. They were waiting for Ford to replace the transmission in their Fusion which they had been towing four down. Yep, it was covered under warranty. He was still smart enough to get a dolly and no longer tows four down.

[Rmblaster]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

They both just worked for me.

past this into your browser if it is having trouble.


http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../1260lsu1e.pdf

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[Rmblaster]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

They both just worked for me.

past this into your browser if it is having trouble.


http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../1260lsu1e.pdf

this is what pasteing gets you

The page cannot be found



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[Stillwater]

Originally Posted by jablair

Then there is the couple who spent a week or so at the campground were I work camp. They were waiting for Ford to replace the transmission in their Fusion which they had been towing four down. Yep, it was covered under warranty. He was still smart enough to get a dolly and no longer tows four down.

I don't know what you mean by "He was still smart enough to get a dolly and no longer tows four down". That only works if it's a 2 WD, 4 WD cannot be towed on a dolly. People that bought Escapes want to tow 4 down, not screw around with a dolly!

[The Shadow]

See if this page will work for you. If you get there click on the first supplement to go to the pdf of the revised manual page.

2012 Ford Escape Owner

[Rmblaster]

I wonder whats going on because the 2012 edge with the 2.0 ecoboost engine has a 6F35 transmission but the only differance is there is no dipstick like on the escape but according to the manual for 2013 2.0 not towable not even on a dolly it says trailer only talked my dealer service manager and he says 2013 edge 2.0 still towable

[The Shadow]

If it is the same transmission it makes you wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. I'm fairly certain that when I checked, the Edge did not have the 6F35 in 2011. When I bought the Escape for DW - and she loves it - I got a new Flex at the same time and it certainly doesn't have the 6F35.

Frankly, I'm surprised Ford stuck with saying the Escape is towable for such a long period. While we've had no problems for 10,000 kms of towing - you always wonder. I wish Ford would simply make arrangements to have dealers install a Remco Lube Pump.

At times I think the problem has been caused dealers not getting the fluid adjustment right. I put a ScanGauge on our Escape and when driving it takes a lot to get the temperature of the fluid up to 185 which Ford says it has to be at in order to check it properly. I had the same problem with our Ambassador and Journey - could never get it hot enough with the TranSynd in it to check the level in the Allison 3000. Always gave a message code that said it was "not not enough." So, if the mechanic at the dealer lowered the fluid when it was cold it may not have been lowered enough.

[The Shadow]

I had the Escape in for service today and the Flex goes in tomorrow. I'll see if I can get the transmission numbers for the Edge, Flex and Explorer.

Last week on the way home from FLA we stopped at a KOA in Cordele and a fellow parked near us was towing a Lincoln MKT and said it towed very well. DW isn't very happy with me because our dealer has a 2012 MKT with Ecoboost and she knows the wheels are turning in my head. If switching now though I think I'd go for a 2013 Explorer. My problem will come when DW's car hits five years (I only go 3 as a rule but don't mind her going 5) and we have to get another toad. I was hoping the new Escape would be towable.

[Rmblaster]

On the Edge and the Explorer I believe only the 2.0 ecoboost comes with the 6F35 trans

[DandS]

Shadow - More intrigue from our friends at Ford. Wasn't surprised when the verdict on the 2013 was not towable since they changed the vehicle drastically. However, the linked supplement you provided is for the 2012 model manual, I see nothing about earlier years 2009 thru 2011 and those vehicles are identical in transmission. Is Ford saying earlier years are still towable ? Why not put out a supplement for all years ? Interestingly, Remco still shows the 2012 towable as is.