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

Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (without access to wheel dollies, car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and transmission configuration) under the following conditions:
  • Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.
  • Place the transmission in neutral (N). If you cannot move the transmission into neutral (N), you may need to override it.   See   Transmission. 
  • Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
  • Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
Note:   Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle.   See   Climate Control. 
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing, such as towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your transmission.
Two-wheel Drive Vehicles
You cannot tow a two-wheel drive vehicle with any wheels on the ground as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. You must tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Four-wheel Drive Vehicles
You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform the steps outlined in the following section after positioning your vehicle behind the tow vehicle and properly securing them together.
Note:   Make sure you properly secure your vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Note:   For F-150 Raptor, please refer to your Raptor supplement guide.
Four-wheel-down Towing
  1. Put the ignition in the on position, but do not start the engine. If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to on. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal.
  1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
  1. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to 2H.
  1. Shift the transmission to neutral (N).
  1. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times within seven seconds.
Note:   If completed successfully, the information display confirms that your vehicle is in neutral tow. This indicates that your vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note:   If you do not see the message in the display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.
Note:   You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts into its neutral position. This is normal.
  1. Leave the transmission in neutral (N) and turn the ignition as far as it can go toward the off position. It does not turn fully off when the transmission is in neutral (N). If your vehicle has an ignition key, you must leave the key in the ignition while towing. To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad or an extra set of keys. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal. You do not need to leave your keys in the vehicle. You can lock and unlock your vehicle as you normally do.
  1. Release the brake pedal.
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not disconnect the battery during recreational towing. It prevents the transfer case from shifting properly and may cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P).
WARNING   WARNING:  Shifting the transfer case to its neutral position for recreational towing may cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P). It may injure the driver and others. Make sure you press the foot brake and the vehicle is in a secure, safe position when you shift to neutral (N).

Note:   Failing to put the transfer case in its neutral position while towing the vehicle can damage vehicle components.
Note:   You can check four-wheel-down towing status at any time by opening the driver's door or turning the ignition to the accessory or on position. A message displays in the information display confirming your vehicle is in neutral tow.
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return the transfer case to its 2H position:
  1. With your vehicle still properly secured to the tow vehicle, put the ignition in the on position, but do not start the engine. If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to on. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal.
  1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
  1. Place the transmission back into park (P).
  1. Release the brake pedal.
Note:   If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displays 4X2, and Neutral Tow Disabled.
Note:   If the indicator light and message do not display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.
Note:   You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position, this is normal.
Note:   If Shift Delayed Pull Forward displays in the instrument cluster, transfer case gear tooth blockage is present. See the instructions following this section.
  1. Apply the parking brake, then disconnect your vehicle from the tow vehicle.
  1. Release the parking brake, start the engine, and shift the transmission into drive (D) to make sure the transfer case is out of the neutral tow position.
  1. If the transfer case does not successfully shift out of neutral (N), set the parking brake until you can have your vehicle serviced.
Resolving the Shift Delayed Pull Forward Message
If the instrument cluster displays Shift Delayed Pull Forward, perform the following:
  1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
  1. Put the transmission into neutral (N), then start the engine.
  1. With the engine running, shift the transmission into drive (D) and let the vehicle roll forward, up to 3 ft (1 m). You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.
  1. Make sure the instrument cluster displays Neutral Tow Disabled.

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