Tow/Haul (6.8L and 5.4L engines)
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The tow/haul feature was designed to assist the driver when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges, including all 5 forward gears, are available when using the tow/haul feature.
The tow/haul function is activated and deactivated through a switch located on the end of the selector lever. The indicator light that is located at the end of the selector lever will illuminate when the tow/haul feature is activated and will go off when deactivated. On some models, the indicator light is located in the Instrument Cluster (IC).
With tow/haul activated, the transmission will have the following features:
- Shifts will occur at higher vehicle speeds for a given Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) to improve vehicle acceleration, reduce excessive shifting and increase the coast braking capability.
- The torque converter will lock up at lower vehicle speeds than normal with a given APP to improve transmission cooling and efficiency.
- Upshifts are temporarily delayed while decreasing APP during hill cresting to reduce excessive transmission shifting and to prepare for a possible grade braking downshift event.
- Engine braking is provided in all forward gears without the requirement of moving the selector lever.
- Manual 1, 2 or 3 will still be available.
- Grade braking downshift feature provides increased coast braking automatically to assist the driver in maintaining the desired speed while descending a grade. This reduces duty cycle on the brake system and increases brake pad longevity.
- Grade braking downshifts are automatically commanded when:
- positive vehicle acceleration is sensed (natural acceleration from grade descent).
- a near zero APP is obtained.
- a minimum amount of time has expired since the last grade braking downshift.
- Grade braking downshift mode is immediately exited should the tow/haul mode be deactivated or if the accelerator pedal is applied beyond a minimum threshold.