Ford Transit Connect (2016 year). Manual — part 40

Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.

Trailer Brakes

WARNING

Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle

may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a crash greatly
increase.

Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them correctly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.

The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.

Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1500
pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.

Trailer Lamps

WARNING

Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system

resulting in fire. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in correct trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required.

Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard warning
flashers are working.

Before Towing a Trailer

Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.

When Towing a Trailer

•

Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).

•

Do not make full-throttle starts.

•

Check the trailer hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50
miles (80 kilometers).

•

When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission selector lever in position
P to aid engine and transmission
cooling and to help A/C performance.

•

Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.

•

When driving down a long or steep hill,
if your vehicle is fitted with a
SelectShift Automatic® Transmission,
use a low gear, See Automatic
Transmission (page 126). Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they
may overheat and become less
effective.

•

If the transmission is fitted with Grade
Assist or a Towing feature, use this
feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.

•

If your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with
RSC and a heavily loaded trailer is on
tow, the system may turn on while
taking corners. This is normal. Taking
corners at slower speeds can reduce
this tendency.

•

Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.

•

Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
•

Turn the steering wheel to point
your vehicle tires away from traffic
flow.

•

Set the vehicle parking brake.

•

Place the transmission selector
lever in position P.

•

Place wheel chocks in front and
back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks
not included with vehicle.)

Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft

Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring
connector before the trailer enters the
water.

Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring
connector after the trailer is removed from
the water.

When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
•

Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.

•

Do not allow waves to break higher
than 6 inches (15 centimeters) above
the bottom edge of the rear bumper.

Note: Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter your vehicle or its
components, affecting driveability,
emissions and reliability. The vehicle
warranty may not cover component damage
caused by water entry.

Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime
the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Water may have contaminated the rear
axle lubricant, which is not normally
checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or other axle repair is required.

TOWING POINTS

(If Equipped)

WARNING

The screw-in recovery hook has a
left-hand thread. Turn it
counterclockwise to install it. Make

sure that the recovery hook is fully
tightened. Failure to do so could result in
the recovery hook becoming loose.

Due to requirements in some countries,
your vehicle may have a recovery hook.

Recovery Hook Storage

E165020

If your vehicle has a recovery hook, it will
be in the luggage compartment on the
left-hand side.

If your vehicle does not have a recovery
hook, you can purchase one from an
authorized dealer.

Front Recovery Hook

E165018

Remove the cover and install the recovery
hook.

Rear Recovery Hook

E165019

Remove the cover and install the recovery
hook.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar, you
cannot install the recovery hook. Use the
tow bar to tow other vehicles.

TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE

E143886

If you need to have your vehicle towed,
contact a professional towing service or,
if you are a member of a roadside
assistance program, your roadside
assistance service provider.

It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or
flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a
slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure. If
the vehicle is towed incorrectly, or by any
other means, vehicle damage may occur.

Ford Motor Company produces a towing
manual for all authorized tow truck
operators. Have your tow truck operator
refer to this manual for proper hook-up
and towing procedures for your vehicle.

You can tow your vehicle from the front
with wheel lift equipment to raise the front
wheels off the ground. We recommend
that you place the rear wheels on a dolly
to prevent damage to the rear of your
vehicle.

You can tow your vehicle from the rear with
wheel lift equipment.

Note: You must place the front wheels on
a dolly to prevent damage to the
transmission.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS

Emergency Towing

WARNING

If your vehicle has a steering wheel
lock make sure the ignition is in the
accessory or on position when being

towed.

If your vehicle is disabled and you have no
access to a tow dolly, car-hauling trailer or
a flatbed transport vehicle, it can only be
flat-towed with all wheels on the ground
under the following conditions:
•

Your vehicle is facing forward so that
it is towed in a forward direction.

•

The transmission selector lever is
placed in position N. If the transmission
gear shift lever cannot be moved to
position N, it may need to be
overridden. See Automatic
Transmission (page 126).

•

Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Drive off slowly and smoothly without
jerking the vehicle you are towing.

You must only use the towing eye that was
delivered with your vehicle. See Towing
Points (page 164).

Tow ropes or rigid towing bars must be
placed on the same side. For example; right
hand rear towing point to right hand front
towing point.

You must use a tow rope or rigid towing
bar that is of the correct strength for the
weight of the towing vehicle and the
vehicle that is being towed.

Note: Using a rigid towing bar is the safest
way to tow a vehicle.

The weight of the vehicle that is being
towed must not exceed the weight of the
towing vehicle.

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle. See
Climate Control (page 95).

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.

Front-wheel drive vehicles CANNOT be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground), as
transmission damage may occur. You can
tow your vehicle 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.