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ThePowells · 08-22-2018, 05:39 PM

Okie Dokie boys and girls, here is my question...

How does Ford hybrid vehicle know the difference between "emergency" and "recreational" towing?

The Owner's manual has both listed, but emergency towing is limited to Here is the emergency towing section....with a max speed of 35 MPH and a 50 mile limit.
Emergency towing

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:

• Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward direction.

• Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer to Brake-shift interlock
in the Driving chapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).

• Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).

• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).

Now for recreational towing which has a 75 MPH speed limit and no mileage limit.

RECREATIONAL TOWING

An example of “recreational towing” is towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode toprevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the Climate Controls chapter for more information.

Note: If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow these instructions:

• Tow only in the forward direction.

• Release the parking brake.

• Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).

• Place the ignition to the accessory position (refer to Starting in the
Driving chapter).

• Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), but you should always obey local speed limits.

You also have the option of trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on a dolly (FWD only), or trailering with all four wheels off the ground. Do not tow your four–wheel drive (4WD) vehicle with the front wheels off the ground and the rear wheels on the ground (such as with the use of a tow dolly). This will cause damage to your 4WD system.

For other towing requirements, refer to Wrecker towing in the Roadside Emergencies chapter.

Winterbagoal · 08-22-2018, 05:47 PM

Well, uh, um, uh, I think, it must be.........

Good one.

Old-Biscuit · 08-22-2018, 05:49 PM

Placing ignition to accessory position.....that is the difference

Emergency......vehicle is 'disabled' (being drug to repair facility)

les.warden · 08-22-2018, 06:08 PM

Recreational: behind your MH. [emoji16][emoji1][emoji2]🤩[emoji7]

Emergency: behind a wrecker. [emoji15][emoji36][emoji35]🤬[emoji24]

Waiter21 · 08-23-2018, 05:04 AM

The difference I see, it looks like in EMERGENCY, you are not able to supply power to the ignition in the ACC position.

I suspect in RECREATIONAL, you are in ACC and select "N" on the transmission, it probably opens some solenoid valves inside the tranny that in turn supplies lubrication..

If you cant get it into ACC, theses valves stay closed and no lubrication, thus the lower speed and distance.

ThePowells · 08-24-2018, 02:12 AM

This ?? isn't for me. I had someone that took offense that I posted the owner's manual info in a thread about towing a Ford Hybrid 4 down. I was just further exploring the issue.

dan-nickie · 08-24-2018, 08:55 AM

"in the Driving chapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral). "

The answer was taken from your post. Read it closely.

Skip426 · 08-24-2018, 09:18 AM

]In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:[

I'll ask the question ; When the tow truck arrives , if it's not a flatbed, how does it tow the vehicle four down ?
Are they expecting the disabled vehicle to be towed on a chain or tow strap?

I'm thinking the text in this manual is about as close to double speak as it comes.

Why not just say , if the vehicle is being moved by a tow truck , lifted at either end the remaining wheels must be on dollies.
I haven't seen a tow truck in the last 50 years that doesn't have them.