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: Description and Operation - Rear Drive Axle and Differential

The 8.8-inch ring gear open rear differential axle has 3.31 gear ratio versions. Rear Drive Axle and Differential The rear axle assembly consists of the following: Integral-type housing hypoid gear design (center of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear) Hypoid differential ring gear and pinion consisting of a 8...

Lincoln Aviator 2020-2026 Service Manual: Diagnosis and Testing - Interior Lighting

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 BCM B1175:01 Driver Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test A BCM B1175:01 Driver Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test C BCM B1176:01 Passenger Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test A BCM B1176:01 Passenger Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test C BCM B11C0:01 Driver Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test A BCM B11C0:01 Driver Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test C BCM B11C1:01 Passenger Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test A BCM B11C1:01 Passenger Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test C BCM B12C2:11 Puddle Lamp:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test H BCM B12C2:15 Puddle Lamp:Circuit Short To Battery or Open GO to Pinpoint Test H BCM B1306:01 Liftgate Ajar Switch:General Electrical Failure GO to Pinpoint Test K BCM B1306:11 Liftgate Ajar Switch:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test K BCM B1313:11 Interior Lighting Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test B BCM B1313:15 Interior Lighting Output:Circuit Short To Battery or Open If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test B BCM B1313:15 Interior Lighting Output:Circuit Short To Battery or Open If the courtesy lamps are always on, GO to Pinpoint Test D BCM B145C:11 Ambient Lighting Power Supply Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B145C:15 Ambient Lighting Power Supply Output:Circuit Short To Battery or Open GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B1465:00 Ambient Lighting Bus 1:No Sub Type Information If all the ambient lighting is inoperative, always on or does not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B1465:00 Ambient Lighting Bus 1:No Sub Type Information If one or more of the ambient lighting Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are inoperative or do not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test J BCM B1465:96 Ambient Lighting Bus 1:Component Internal Failure If all the ambient lighting is inoperative, always on or does not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B1465:96 Ambient Lighting Bus 1:Component Internal Failure If one or more of the ambient lighting Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are inoperative or do not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test J BCM B1467:00 Ambient Lighting Bus 3:No Sub Type Information If all the ambient lighting is inoperative, always on or does not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B1467:00 Ambient Lighting Bus 3:No Sub Type Information If one or more of the ambient lighting Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are inoperative or do not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test J BCM B1467:96 Ambient Lighting Bus 3:Component Internal Failure If all the ambient lighting is inoperative, always on or does not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B1467:96 Ambient Lighting Bus 3:Component Internal Failure If one or more of the ambient lighting Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are inoperative or do not change color/intensity, GO to Pinpoint Test J BCM B14AA:11 Demand Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test E BCM B14AA:15 Demand Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Battery or Open GO to Pinpoint Test E BCM B153C:11 Color Ambient Light Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test I BCM B153C:15 Color Ambient Light Output:Circuit Short To Battery or Open GO to Pinpoint Test I DCME B1175:19 Drivers Door Ajar Switch:Circuit Current Above Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test C DCMF B1176:19 Passenger Door Ajar Switch:Circuit Current Above Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test C DCMG B11C0:19 Driver Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:Circuit Current Above Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test C DCMH B11C1:19 Passenger Side Rear Door Ajar Switch:Circuit Current Above Threshold GO to Pinpoint Test C DDM B1165:11 Left Front Puddle Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test G DDM B1165:15 Left Front Puddle Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Battery Or Open GO to Pinpoint Test G PDM B1166:11 Right Front Puddle Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Ground GO to Pinpoint Test G PDM B1166:15 Right Front Puddle Lamp Output:Circuit Short To Battery Or Open GO to Pinpoint Test G RGTM B1306:12 Liftgate Ajar Switch:Circuit Short To Battery GO to Pinpoint Test C Symptom Chart(s) Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices...

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.