Get Towing Guide for Ford Kuga SUV Second Generation (2013-2018)

Towing

•

The trailer vertical weight on the tow

ball is essential for the driving stability

of your vehicle and trailer.

TOWING A TRAILER

WARNINGS

The vertical weight on the tow ball

should be at least 4% of the trailer

weight and not exceed the maximum

permissable weight. See Capacities

and Specifications (page 226).

Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h).

The rear tire pressures must be

increased by 2.9 psi (0.2 bar) above

specification. Do not exceed the

•

Reduce speed immediately if the trailer

shows any sign of swaying. See Trailer

Sway Control (page 166).

maximum pressure stated on the tire

sidewall. This could cause serious personal

injury. See Wheels and Tires (page 209).

Use a low gear when descending a

Do not exceed the maximum gross

train weight stated on your vehicle

identification plate. This could result

in the loss of vehicle control, serious

personal injury or death. See Vehicle

Identification Plate (page 226).

steep downhill gradient.

Note: The maximum permissible trailer

vertical weight on the trailer identification

plate is the trailer manufacturer’s testing

value. The vehicle maximum permissible

trailer vertical weight may be lower.

The stability of your vehicle-to-trailer

combination depends on the quality of the

trailer.

Towing a trailer changes the handling

characteristics of your vehicle and

increases stopping distances. Adapt your

speed and driving behavior according to

the trailer load.

Do not exceed the maximum

permissible trailer vertical weight on

the tow ball as stated in the vehicle

specification chart. This could result in the

loss of vehicle control, serious personal

injury or death. See Capacities and

Specifications (page 226).

The anti-lock brake system does not

control the trailer brakes.

The gross train weight stated on the

vehicle identification plate applies for road

gradients up to 12% and altitudes up to

3,281 ft (1,000 m) when towing a trailer. In

mountainous regions the engine

When towing a trailer:

•

Obey country specific regulations for

towing a trailer.

performance decreases due to lower air

density with increasing altitude. In high

altitude regions above 3,281 ft (1,000 m),

you should reduce the stipulated

•

Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h)

even if a country allows higher speeds

under certain conditions.

•

Place loads as low as possible and

central to the axle of your trailer. If you

are towing with an unloaded vehicle,

you should place the load in your trailer

toward the front, within the maximum

vertical load, as this gives the best

stability. See Capacities and

maximum permitted gross train weight by

10% for every additional 3,281 ft (1,000 m).

Note: Not all vehicles are suitable or

approved to have a tow bar fitted. Ask an

authorized dealer for more information.

Specifications (page 226).

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing

WARNINGS

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL(If

Do not modify the trailer coupling.

Equipped)

Do not disassemble or repair the tow

ball arm.

WARNING

Turning off trailer sway control

increases the risk of loss of vehicle

control, serious injury or death. Ford

does not recommend disabling this feature

except in situations where speed reduction

may be detrimental (such as hill climbing),

the driver has significant trailer towing

experience, and can control trailer sway

and maintain safe operation.

Note: This feature does not prevent trailer

sway, but reduces it once it begins.

Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers

from swaying.

A 13-pin trailer socket and the tow ball arm

seat are provided under the rear bumper.

Turn the trailer socket down through 90

degrees until it engages in the end position.

Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too

high, the system may activate multiple

times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.

This feature applies the vehicle brakes at

individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces

engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,

the stability control light flashes. The first

thing to do is slow the vehicle down, then

pull safely to the side of the road and

check for proper tongue load and trailer

load distribution. See Load Carrying

(page 162).

Unlocking the Tow Ball Arm

Mechanism

TOW BALL

WARNINGS

When not in use, always transport

the tow ball arm securely fastened

in the luggage compartment.

1. Remove the protecting cap.

2. Insert the key and turn it

Take special care when fitting the

tow ball arm as the safety of your

vehicle and the trailer depends on

this.

counterclockwise to unlock.

3. Hold the tow ball arm. Pull the

handwheel out and turn it clockwise

until it clicks.

Do not use any tools for mounting or

dismounting the tow ball arm.

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing

Note: The red mark on the handwheel must

3. Pull the protecting cap from the key

bow and press it onto the lock.

align with the white dot on the tow ball.

4. Release the handwheel. The tow ball

Driving with a Trailer

WARNING

If any of the below conditions cannot

be met, do not use the tow bar and

have it checked by an authorized

dealer.

arm is unlocked.

Inserting the Tow Ball Arm

WARNING

The tow ball arm may only be

inserted when completely unlocked.

Before starting your journey, make sure

that the tow ball arm is correctly locked.

Check that:

•

the green mark on the handwheel is

aligned with the white dot on the tow

ball

•

the handwheel (A) is correctly fitted to

the tow ball arm

•

you have removed the key (B)

the tow ball arm is securely positioned.

Note: Pull out the plug.

1. Insert the tow ball arm vertically and

press it upward until it engages.

Note: Do not hold your hand near the

handwheel.

Note: The green mark on the handwheel

must align with the white dot on the tow

ball.

2. Turn the key clockwise and remove the

key to lock the tow ball.

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing

Removing the Tow Ball Arm

Remove the tow ball arm. Insert the plug

into its seat (1).

Maintenance

WARNING

Remove the tow ball arm and

protect the seat with the plug before

steam cleaning your vehicle.

Note: Unhitch the trailer.

1. Remove the protecting cap. Insert the

key and unlock.

2. Hold the tow ball arm. Pull the

handwheel out, turn it clockwise

against the stop.

3. Remove the tow ball arm.

4. Release the handwheel.

Keep the system clean. Periodically

lubricate bearings, sliding surfaces, and

locking balls with resin-free grease or oil

and the lock with graphite.

In case of loss, replacement keys are

available from the manufacturer by stating

the number on the lock cylinder.

When unlocked in this way, the tow ball

arm can be reinserted at any time.

Driving without a Trailer

WARNING

TOWING POINTS

Never unlock the tow ball arm with

WARNING

the trailer attached.

The towing eye has a left-hand

thread. Turn it counterclockwise to

install it. Make sure that the towing

eye is fully tightened.

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing

Front Towing Eye

WARNINGS

If your vehicle has a steering wheel

lock make sure the ignition is in the

accessory or on position when being

towed.

The brake and steering assistance

will not operate unless the engine is

running. Press the brake pedal harder

and allow for increased stopping distances

and heavier steering.

Too much tension in the tow rope

could cause damage to your vehicle

or the vehicle that is towing.

Space is provided in the spare wheel well.

You must carry the towing eye in your

Do not use a rigid tow bar on the

vehicle at all times.

front towing eye.

Remove the cover and install the towing

eye.

Rear Towing Eye

When towing your vehicle you must

select neutral.

Drive off slowly and smoothly without

jerking the towed vehicle.

Vehicles with Automatic

Transmission

WARNINGS

If a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h) and

a distance of 12 miles (20 kilometers)

is to be exceeded the drive wheels

must be lifted clear of the ground.

It is recommended not to tow with

the drive wheels on the ground.

However, if it is required to move your

vehicle from a dangerous location, do not

tow your vehicle faster than 12 mph (20

km/h) or further than 12 miles (20

kilometers).

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar, you

cannot install the towing eye at the rear of

your vehicle. Use the tow bar to tow other

vehicles.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON

FOUR WHEELS

Do not tow your vehicle backward.

All Vehicles

WARNINGS

In the event of a mechanical failure

of the transmission the drive wheels

must be lifted clear of the ground.

You must switch the ignition on when

your vehicle is being towed.

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing

WARNINGS

Do not tow your vehicle if the

ambient temperature is below 32°F

(0°C).

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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing

Towing for Your Ford Kuga SUV Second Generation (2013-2018)

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