Range Selection: Tow/Haul
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The tow/haul feature was designed to assist the vehicle 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 in the Instrument Cluster (IC) will illuminate when the tow/haul is activated and will go off when deactivated.
With the 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 driver in maintaining 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 pressed beyond a minimum threshold.