TSB 12-11-3

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TSB 12-11-3	6F35 TRANSMISSION - RECREATIONAL TOWING - WITH ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE GROUND - AUXILIARY COOLING PUMP KIT
Publication Date: November 12, 2012

FORD:	2009-2012 Escape
MERCURY:	2009-2011 Mariner

ISSUE:

Some 2009-2012 Escape and 2009-2011 Mariner vehicles equipped with a 6F35 automatic transmission gain enhanced flat tow performance with an optional transmission cooling pump kit for recreational towing. The kit is available through Ford Motor Company for purchase and will help prevent transmission overheating.

ACTION:

Advise the customer of the optional transmission cooling pump kit.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

For customers that choose to purchase the transmission cooling pump kit, follow the installation instructions provided with the kit.

There are specific instructions listed in the Owner Guide that must be followed to recreational tow/flat tow/tow a vehicle with all 4 tires on the ground. Advise customers of the following expanded recreational towing guidelines.

Transmission fluid level must be checked at operating temperature of 85 °C - 93 °C (185 °F - 200 °F), per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01. At this temperature, adjust fluid level to the flat tow area on the dipstick . This level is within the safe operating fluid level and does not require the customer to have the fluid level readjusted after flat tow operation. (Figure 1)

Figure 1 - Article 12-11-3

Tow the vehicle in a forward direction.
Maximum towing speed is 105 Km/h (65 MPH).
Do not flat tow the vehicle for greater than 6 hours at a time.
Start and run the engine for 5 minutes before towing each day.
Start and run the engine for 5 minutes every 6 hours or less.

These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to the transmission due to overheating.

If setting the fluid level for a customer that will be recreational flat towing the vehicle, set the level between minimum line and the minimum hole at the bottom of the hash marks on a blade type dipstick or in the flat tow area below the hash marks of the bullet-on-a-wire type dipstick per WSM, Section 307-01. (Figure 1)

NOTE: THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK READINGS BETWEEN A COLD TRANSMISSION AND A TRANSMISSION AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FAILURE TO CHECK TRANS FLUID LEVEL AT TRANS OPERATING TEMPERATURE, PER WSM SECTION 307-01 MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

If transmission fluid level is correctly set for flat tow, the fluid will just touch the bottom of the dipstick when cold.

NOTE: THIS TSB IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, BUT IS ELIGIBLE UNDER SERVICE PART WARRANTY COVERAGE.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

9L8Z-7A103-E Transmission Cooling Pump Kit

PART NUMBER	PART NAME
9L8Z-7A103-E	Transmission Cooling Pump Kit

WARRANTY STATUS:

Information Only

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.