Ford Fiesta: Towing

Ford Fiesta 2009-2019 Owners Manual

Towing a Trailer - 1.6L EcoBoost

WARNING

Your vehicle is not approved for trailer towing.

Transporting the Vehicle

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

If your vehicle is disabled without access to wheel dollies, a car-hauling trailer, or a flatbed transport vehicle it can be flat-towed with all wheels on the ground.

You may do this under the following conditions:

• Your vehicle is facing forward so that it is towed in a forward direction.
• The transmission gear shift 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 Transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).

Recreational Towing

Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.

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. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not damaged.

Vehicles with a Manual Transmission

Your vehicle can be towed 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 wheels on the ground, follow these instructions:

1. Tow only with your vehicle in the forward direction. Release the parking brake.

2. Place the transmission in neutral.

3. Place the ignition in the accessory position. See Starting and Stopping the Engine.

Note: Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h) when towing your vehicle.

Vehicles with an Automatic Transmission - with Ignition Switch

Note: There must be battery power to properly move the transmission's internal components to neutral in step 3. Also, moving the gearshift to the neutral position without first turning the ignition to the on II position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 miles (80 kilometers).

1. Release the parking brake.

2. Switch the ignition to the on (II) position.

3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the neutral position.

4. Wait for a message indicating that the transmission is ready in the information and entertainment display, then switch the ignition off and release the brake pedal.

5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. The anti-theft system is disabled until the battery cable is reconnected. See Changing the 12V Battery.

Note: The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).

Note: There is no limit on towing distance.

After towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting the battery cable.

See Changing the 12V Battery.

Vehicles with an Automatic Transmission - with Keyless Starting

Note: There must be battery power to properly move the transmission's internal components to neutral in step 3. Also, moving the gearshift to the neutral position without first turning the ignition to the on II position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 miles (80 kilometers).

1. Release the parking brake.

2. Switch the ignition on by pressing the keyless start button, but do not apply the brake pedal.

3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the neutral position.

Release the brake pedal.

4. Wait for a message indicating that the transmission is ready in the information and entertainment display, then switch the ignition off by pressing the keyless start button.

5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. The door key is needed to lock and unlock doors when the battery cable is disconnected. Also, the anti-theft system is disabled until the battery cable is reconnected. See Changing the 12V Battery.

Note: The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).

Note: There is no limit on towing distance.

After towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting the battery cable.

See Changing the 12V Battery.