Community Forums

navychaps · 08-17-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogpatch

Mine does. Wonder if because a 2013 F150?

Make sure your key is at the stop just above the lock and you should get no miles. Also make sure you are in neutral and the computer tells you it is in tow mode. Took me a while to figure out the instructions on getting the transfer case into neutral. JMHO

Dogpatch · 08-17-2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navychaps

Make sure your key is at the stop just above the lock and you should get no miles. Also make sure you are in neutral and the computer tells you it is in tow mode. Took me a while to figure out the instructions on getting the transfer case into neutral. JMHO

I have no problem getting it in tow mode. When I turn the key counterclockwise, it stops just before the lock and remove spot.

I wonder if it is a Canadian thing? I spoke to my Ford dealer and they said it tracks miles because there are more parts that can fail than just the engine while turned off and the odometer tracks the miles on the chassis not just engine run miles.

I'll have to check the next time I tow just to make sure I wasn't dreaming when I looked at the odometer on my arrival at home.

You guys have got me pondering!

ricere · 08-17-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navychaps

Not on mine.....

I have found that if you delay a fraction of a second between each flip of the switch, rather than doing it in a continuous motion, you will succeed every time. Do it too quick and it don't usually work.

chuckinthebus · 08-18-2013, 08:12 AM

Tow it forward on the way going and backwards on the way home. Should even out eventually.

rlott2k · 08-20-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtwinwilly

Just another confirmation here. Stopped by the Ford dealer yesterday and salesman confirmed.

Me being a "Doubting Thomas", I made him show me in the owners manual, then we went out on the lot and tried it on one of there trucks.

The procedure is;
1). Put key in "On" position ( do not start).
2). Put foot one press/hold brake.
3). Shift trans into neutral.
4). Turn the 4x4 selection knob 2H to 4L and back 5 times in 7 seconds.
Dashboard message will display when transfer case is in Neutral and ready to tow.
5). Turn key to "Off" position (you cannot remove the key with transfer case in neutral).

To take transfer case out of neutral all I did was turn key to "On" position then shift into "Park". Message on dash disappeared and I could hear the transfer case shift back into gear. I then started the truck, shifted to Drive and took it for test drive.

Very nice truck and it is now at the top of my list because I can get a 4 door Crew Cab with a 6 1/2 foot bed. Can't get that combination on a Chevy.

Another tip is to have dealer cut a non-pats key. This is the older key with out the chip in the head. This key will do everything the pats key will do except start the truck.This way when you leave it in the ignition you're worry free about someone stealing your toad if its left alone and you forgot to take the key out.

jamesrxx951 · 08-20-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlott2k

Another tip is to have dealer cut a non-pats key. This is the older key with out the chip in the head. This key will do everything the pats key will do except start the truck.This way when you leave it in the ignition you're worry free about someone stealing your toad if its left alone and you forgot to take the key out.

No issues with doing that but in some cases if the key is cycled on, there will be a PATS theft event and the vehicle will be disabled for 20 min.

Just For Fun · 09-04-2013, 01:36 PM

There was one or more threads discussing the older F150's - 2011 and older (I've searched but cannot find them). There was/is a software mod from Ford that will also allow these older (or some of them) to find a "N" in 4x4 mode.

Anyone know where these threads are or know any details about this mod?

Dogpatch · 09-23-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnkinthebus

Tow it forward on the way going and backwards on the way home. Should even out eventually.

I finally remembered to check the Odometer this last trip. Didn't register nary a kilometer.

walt2137 · 10-30-2013, 09:26 AM

I also tow a 2013 F150 4X4 and noticed in the owners manual that while in the tow mode and if the battery runs down the transmission can be damaged, I installed a charge line as a safety measure.

NoSlack · 09-25-2014, 07:52 PM

Regarding flat towing F-150 4x4, I was told by a Ford Service Advisor that the reason my front tires were wearing badly on the inside tread and needed to be replaced at 28000 miles was because the newer trucks have electronic powering steering that does not allow the wheels to return to zero when making turns while being towed.

ricere · 09-25-2014, 08:35 PM

Our truck wears front tires while towing. I suspect it is due to the wheels being hard to turn while towing. However, the truck tows well and tracks well. From my experience, nearly all vehicles with power steering will wear front tires excessively while towing. The F150 may wear the front tires more than most.

NoSlack · 09-25-2014, 08:38 PM

My 2006 F-150 never used up tires like this and I towed it a lot more miles a year with my Harley in the back. The truck tows great but the tires should wear better than they did.

chuckinthebus · 09-28-2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricere

Our truck wears front tires while towing. I suspect it is due to the wheels being hard to turn while towing. However, the truck tows well and tracks well. From my experience, nearly all vehicles with power steering will wear front tires excessively while towing. The F150 may wear the front tires more than most.

We drive ours more than tow, but original tires had 54000 drive miles and 15000 tow miles on them and showed no abnormal wear problems. Rotated every service interval. Do be mindful of an "Advance trac" problem that many are having issues with, but that is discussed on another forum particular to the F150 and not knowing if I can list it here. PM for details if you would like.

ricere · 09-28-2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSlack

My 2006 F-150 never used up tires like this and I towed it a lot more miles a year with my Harley in the back. The truck tows great but the tires should wear better than they did.

What brand of tires came on your truck? Mine came with Goodyear Wrangler Radials. Seems all 4 are wearing out way too soon. They are wearing out smoothly and evenly, but quicker than I think they should.