Lincoln Aviator 2020-2026 Owners Manual / Towing / Essential Towing Checks

Lincoln Aviator: Towing / Essential Towing Checks

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions the rental agency gives you.

You can find information on load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety Compliance label as well as instructions on calculating your vehicle's load in the Load Carrying chapter.

Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of your vehicle load when calculating the total vehicle weight.

Hitches

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the axle.

Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the tongue.

A weight distributing hitch is not required for your vehicle.

Safety Chains

Note: Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.

Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.

To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

WARNING: Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.

Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install them properly and adjust them to the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.

The rating for the tow vehicle's braking system operation is at the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight rating.

Safe control of towed vehicles requires separate functioning brake systems for vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1,500 lb (680 kg) when loaded.

Trailer Lamps

WARNING: Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system resulting in fire. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be required.

Most towed vehicles require trailer lamps. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, direction indicators and hazard flashers are working.

Before Towing a Trailer

Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.

When Towing a Trailer

Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 mi (800 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts.
Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place the gearshift in park (P) 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:

Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.

Set your vehicle parking brake.

Place the automatic transmission in park (P).

Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included with vehicle.)

Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the water.

Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after removing the trailer from the water.

When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:

Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.

Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:

Causing internal damage to the components.
Affecting driveability, emissions, and reliability.

Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the rear axle has been submerged in water. Water may have contaminated the rear axle lubricant, which is not normally checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or other axle repair is required.

Recommended Towing Weights

Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration listed in the chart below. Note: Be sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area...

Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels

Emergency Towing WARNING: If your vehicle has a steering wheel lock make sure the ignition is in the accessory or on position when being towed. If your vehicle becomes inoperable without access to wheel dollies or a vehicle transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and transmission configuration, under the following conditions: Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction...

Other information:

Lincoln Aviator 2020-2026 Service Manual: Diagnosis and Testing - Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation). Diagnostic Trouble Code Chart Module DTC Description Action ABS C0049:01 Brake Fluid Level:General Electrical Failure GO to Pinpoint Test L ABS C0049:7B Brake Fluid Level:Low Fluid Level GO to Pinpoint Test L IPC P0460:11 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test D IPC P0460:13 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit:Circuit Open GO to Pinpoint Test D IPC U0100:00 Lost Communication With ECM/PCM "A":No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CC IPC U0103:00 Lost Communication With Gear Shift Control Module A:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CE IPC U0111:00 Lost Communication With Battery Energy Control Module "A":No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CF IPC U0121:00 Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CG IPC U013F:00 Lost Communication With Pedestrian Alert Control Module:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CI IPC U0140:00 Lost Communication With Body Control Module: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CJ IPC U0151:00 Lost Communication With Restraints Control Module: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CM IPC U0158:00 Lost Communication With Head Up Display:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CN IPC U0159:00 Lost Communication With Parking Assist Control Module "A": No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CP IPC U0193:00 Lost Communication With "Digital Audio Control Module A": No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CQ IPC U0199:00 Lost Communication With "Door Control Module A":No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CR IPC U0212:00 Lost Communication With Steering Column Control Module: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CS IPC U0212:82 Lost Communication With Steering Column Control Module:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CS IPC U0232:00 Lost Communication With Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CU IPC U0233:00 Lost Communication With Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CU IPC U023A:00 Lost Communication With Image Processing Module A: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CW IPC U023B:82 Lost Communication With Image Processing Module B:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CX IPC U0241:00 Lost Communication With Headlamp Control Module "A":No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CY IPC U0253:00 Lost Communication With Accessory Protocol Interface Module:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CZ IPC U0260:00 Lost Communication With Seat Control Switch Module "A":No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test DA IPC U0293:00 Lost Communication with Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CD IPC U0293:82 Lost Communication with Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CD IPC U0401:00 Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CC IPC U0401:81 Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A:Invalid Serial Data Received GO to Pinpoint Test CC IPC U0401:82 Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CC IPC U0401:86 Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A:Signal Invalid GO to Pinpoint Test CC IPC U0405:56 Invalid Data Received From Cruise Control Module:Invalid/Incompatible Configuration GO to Pinpoint Test CK IPC U0412:86 Invalid Data Received From Battery Energy Control Module "A":Signal Invalid GO to Pinpoint Test CF IPC U0415:00 Invalid Data Received From Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Module: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CG IPC U0415:82 Invalid Data Received from Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CG IPC U0420:82 Invalid Data Received from Power Steering Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CH IPC U0422:00 Invalid Data Received From Body Control Module:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CJ IPC U0424:80 Invalid Data Received From HVAC Control Module:ISO/SAE Reserved GO to Pinpoint Test CL IPC U0424:81 Invalid Data Received From HVAC Control Module:Invalid Serial Data Received GO to Pinpoint Test CL IPC U0424:82 Invalid Data Received From HVAC Control Module:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CL IPC U0431:82 Invalid Data Received From Body Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CJ IPC U0452:81 Invalid Data Received From Restraints Control Module:Invalid Serial Data Received GO to Pinpoint Test CM IPC U045A:82 Invalid Data Received From Parking Assist Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CP IPC U049C:82 Invalid Data Received From Battery Charger Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CO IPC U0531:82 Invalid Data Received From Rear Gate Module:Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CT IPC U0533:00 Invalid Data Received From Side Obstacle Detection Control Module-Left: No Sub Type information GO to Pinpoint Test CU IPC U0533:56 Invalid Data Received From Side Obstacle Detection Control Module "A":Invalid/Incompatible Configuration GO to Pinpoint Test CV IPC U0534:00 Invalid Data Received From Side Obstacle Detection Control Module-Right: No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test CU IPC U0534:56 Invalid Data Received From Side Obstacle Detection Control Module "B":Invalid/Incompatible Configuration GO to Pinpoint Test CV IPC U0542:82 Invalid Data Received From Headlamp Control Module "A":Alive/Sequence Counter Incorrect/Not Updated GO to Pinpoint Test CY IPC U0594:86 Invalid Data Received From Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module:Signal Invalid GO to Pinpoint Test CD IPC U2100:00 Initial Configuration Not Complete:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test DB IPC U3000:04 Control Module:System Internal Failures GO to Pinpoint Test DC IPC U3000:46 Control Module:Calibration/Parameter Memory Failure GO to Pinpoint Test DC IPC U3003:16 Battery Voltage: Circuit Voltage Below Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test DE IPC U3003:17 Battery Voltage: Circuit Voltage Above Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test DF IPC U300A:64 Ignition Switch:Signal Plausibility Failure GO to Pinpoint Test DD PCM P0461:00 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test D PCM P0462:00 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit Low:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test D PCM P0463:00 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit High:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test D PCM P0522:00 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit Low:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test W PCM P0523:00 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit High:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test W PCM P25B0:00 Fuel Level Sensor "A" Stuck:No Sub Type Information GO to Pinpoint Test D SIMA B1380:4A Steering Wheel Right Switch Pack:Incorrect Component Installed GO to Pinpoint Test AG SIMA B1380:71 Steering Wheel Right Switch Pack:Actuator Stuck GO to Pinpoint Test AG Symptom Chart(s) Symptom Chart: Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices...

Lincoln Aviator 2020-2026 Service Manual: Removal and Installation - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Control Module

Removal NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details. NOTE: If installing a new module, it is necessary to upload the module configuration information to the scan tool prior to removing the module. This information must be downloaded into the new module after installation...

Child Seats

Lincoln Aviator. Child Seats

Use a child restraint (sometimes called an infant carrier, convertible seat, or toddler seat) for infants, toddlers and children weighing 40 lb (18 kg) or less (generally four-years-old or younger).

Using Lap and Shoulder Belts

WARNING: Do not place a rearward facing child restraint in front of an active airbag. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.