Roadside Emergencies -> WRECKER TOWING for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Roadside Emergencies  
WRECKER TOWING  
Note: Turn off the power running boards (if equipped) prior to  
preparing the vehicle for towing. Refer to Power deployable running  
boards in the Driver Controls chapter.  
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 or flatbed  
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not  
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.  
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to Automatic transmission  
operation in the Driving chapter for directions on how to move the  
gearshift lever out of the P (Park) position, for proper towing.  
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels  
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.  
333  
2010 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing  
USA (fus)  
Roadside Emergencies  
On 4x4/AWD vehicles, it is required that your vehicle be towed with a  
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the  
ground.  
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, 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.  
Emergency towing  
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access  
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your  
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat  
towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:  
Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward  
direction.  
Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer to Brake-shift interlock  
in the Driving chapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the  
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).  
Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).  
Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).  
334  
2010 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing  
USA (fus)