2013 Lincoln MKT Owner Manual Printing 2 - Page 253

Towing 253 Trailer Lamps Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking up the lamps. Before Towing a Trailer Practice turning, stopping and backing-up to get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles. When Towing a Trailer • Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles (800 kilometers). • Do not make full-throttle starts. • Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers). • When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place gearshift in P (Park) to aid engine and transmission cooling and to help A/C performance. • Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades. • Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective. • If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling. • Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate stops and brake gradually. • Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade: 1. Turn the steering wheel to point the vehicle tires away from traffic flow 2. Set the vehicle parking brake 3. Place the automatic transmission in P (Park) or manual transmission in a high gear 4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not equipped with vehicle.) 2013 MKT (mkt) Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing USA (fus)