Towing a Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Habart]

I have a 2013 FFH hybrid that I tow behind my motorhome. About half the time, when I start the car after towing, I get a transmission error code. However this error code goes away after driving the car once or twice. I have the car in for it's (final) warrantee service, and the dealer says that there are no stored error codes in the transmission. Anyone else experience this problem, and any thoughts on what is going on? The dealer suggest that I just ignore the warnings.

[murphy]

Are you following the directions in the Owner's Manual for towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground? You may need an auxiliary 12 volt battery or a connection to the 12 volt system in the motor home to keep the FFH battery from going dead. The car must be in neutral and in accessory mode while being towed which puts a load on the battery.

[garymkrieg]

We have a 2015 FFE that we tow behind our motorhome, we are fulltimers. Never had any error codes while towing. We also never had any trouble with the 12 volt system since the manual instructions for towing my car says to put it in the off position, not accessory. I believe that they changed the instructions for 2013 and 2014 to be to turn to off not accessary.

 

Gary

[GrySql]

SSM 45113 - Effective May 8, 2015

2010-2013 Fusion Hybrid, 2010-2011 Milan Hybrid, 2011-2012 MKZ Hybrid - Change To Recreational Towing Procedure To Reduce Battery Drain

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9354-special-service-messages-ssms/?p=97263

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From the 2015 FFH Owner's Manual, page 224:

 

Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See Climate Control (page 117).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing. An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. We designed these guidelines to prevent damage to your transmission.
You can tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
• Tow only in the forward direction.
• Release the parking brake.
Vehicles with Push Button Start
1. Start the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal, and then pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button until the vehicle starts.
2. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission into position N.
3. Turn the vehicle off by pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. (Trip Summary appears in the left instrument cluster screen when the vehicle is off.)
Vehicles with Ignition Key
1. Start the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal, and then turning the ignition key until the vehicle starts.
2. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission into position N.
3. Turn the vehicle off by turning the ignition key past the accessory position. The key position is between the accessory and off positions. See Ignition Switch (page 143). (Trip Summary appears in the left instrument cluster screen when the vehicle is off.)
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with an ignition key, you cannot remove the key from the ignition cylinder when the transmission is in position N and the vehicle is off.
All Vehicles
• Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
• Place the transmission in position P, start the vehicle, and allow the engine to run for one minute at the beginning of each day (you may need to press the accelerator pedal in order to start the engine). After allowing the vehicle to run, place the transmission back into position N and the ignition in the off position.
Note: A SHIFT TO PARK or TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK message may appear in the information display when the transmission is in position N and the ignition is in the off position. You can ignore the message during recreational towing.

 

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(Posted this to see if I still remembered how... ) ;)

[Habart]

Thanks to all that have replied. I do follow the procedure as outline above (from the 2015 manual). I also do have a charge line between the motorhome and the Fusion, as that was required when you followed the 2013 towing directions which required you to leave the car in "accessory". This created some confusion for me, as with the pushbutton start, there is no accessory. When left in the on position, the battery would go flat in about 3 hours of towing. I have been told that Ford changed the directions for all years to follow the same instructions as in the 2015 manual.

 

However I do get the lights for a transmission problem and "hill assist not available".

[murphy]

Accessory is when you push the start button without putting your foot on the brake pedal. The green light on the start button will blink.

[jbrinn]

I have a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid. I follow the instructions to the letter but still th3 battery will be dead by the second day of towing. I have to hook up a battery charger with generator running during the night to prevent battery discharge. So what am I doing wrong. I do shut down by holding brake pedal and pushing button to turn off the car.