Kawigreenguy

Does anybody know what the tow haul does on the 2014 ecoboost fx4? On my 2009 it turned overdrive off and when going down hill, if I tapped the brake, it'd shift down and engine brake. On my new truck it doesn't do the same stuff. It still goes into 6th gear and doesn't seem to engine brake.

It does seem to drive better in town with tow haul on. When taking slow turns it seems like the truck doesn't know if it should be in 3rd or second. With the tow haul, it seems like it fixes that issue.

There was a post on here about driving with tow haul on. Anybody know where I can find the post? Otherwise, could it do any harm in driving with tow haul on?

Manuellabour247

Driving with tow haul on won't hurt your truck. The old system was just an OD lock out for the transmission. The new system will downshift when you hit the brakes. It will also hold a gear longer when you are getting on it and shift a little firmer. I use mine in the winter when I'm tooling around in less than ideal conditions. And the race track. Lol.

Spazmonkey05

Ford's definition of Tow/Hall

Tow/Haul Switch

The Tow/Haul switch is a momentary contact switch located on the end of the column shift selector lever or on the floor shift selector lever ****. To activate the Tow/Haul feature, press the button on the end of the column shift selector lever or floor shift selector lever ****. The Tow/Haul feature delays upshifts to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting. Tow/Haul also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the selector lever is in the (D) position. Depending on driving and load conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control the vehicle speed when descending a hill. To deactivate the Tow/Haul feature and return to normal driving mode, press the Tow/Haul switch on the end of the selector lever or floor selector lever ****. The words TOW HAUL will no longer be illuminated on the IPC . When the engine is turned off and restarted, the transmission automatically returns to normal (D) mode (Tow/Haul OFF).
[MENTION=164148]Manuellabour247[/MENTION] Do not use the Tow/Haul feature when driving in icy conditions.

Manuellabour247

I used it all last winter when there was snow and ice. I have weight in the bed and I don't drive like an idiot when the conditions are like that. The weight and engine braking help it have better control when driving in town. The trailer sway control also seems to get touchier with tow haul mode on.

To be clear, I also lock out the gears all the way down to 4th since I drive no faster than 45 when the conditions start getting bad.

EDIT** The driving like an idiot wasn't directed at you. If you saw some of these Wichitards driving in good conditions it would amaze you how Darwin as not found them. Lol.

Spazmonkey05

Just letting you know that Ford does not recommend it

Manuellabour247

It doesn't say that in the definition you just gave. It just describes what the tow haul feature does. Which is what I would do without it being on. Manually shift to a lower gear when slowing down, and only upshift when needed.

Spazmonkey05

The "Do not use the Tow/Haul feature when driving in icy conditions." is in the definition from Ford I just added the [MENTION=164148]Manuellabour247[/MENTION] to direct it at you because you said you used it in the winter. I am definitely not telling you not to do it. if it works for you then that great.

vozaday

I could understand that, if the engine caused enough braking to cause the tires to lock then the TC would not be able to do anything to correct it.

Manuellabour247

Gotcha. Yeah it threw me with you putting my name in the definition. I use the tow/haul mode mainly because I get tired of manually controlling the upside/downshift. Lol. Yes I know, wrong answer. It does act the same as I do, and with all the other ninnies this thing has, it's handled itself quite well in not so good conditions. It's just something I'm used to and anticipate when I'm driving. Thanks for putting the warning out though.

Kawigreenguy

Thanks for all the good info. I'm probably going I use my tow haul for daily driving and then when it gets iced up here, probably just run normal. When it's icy enough for tires to lock up an stuff, I doubt I'll be worrying about how my truck shifts and will probably be in 4x4 any how.

I also drive almost too cautious and slow when it's icy out..