2019 Lincoln Nautilus

[Locknut]

We recently bought a new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus with the 2.7 liter 6 cylinder engine for use as our toad. According to all the resources I’ve consulted, the vehicle can be towed with all four wheels down. That is not in question.

When looking at the paper Owner’s Manual that came with the vehicle it specifically states that the vehicle may be RV towed by using the transmission’s “Stay in Neutral” procedure. Other instructions say to tow in forward direction only, release the parking brake, and do not exceed 70mph.

Then later, I was looking at the digital version of the Owner’s Manual on the Lincoln website, and it gives different instructions. It states that one must use the “Manual Park Release” procedure to release the electric parking brake, tow forward only, and not to exceed 65mph. It does not mention the “Stay in Neutral” procedure at all.

So, I called the Lincoln service 800 number for clarification. The person I spoke with didn’t know which was correct, nor could they refer me to anyone at Ford that could assist me. I was told to merely contact the selling dealer.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge that could be helpful?

Thanks in advance!

[gmc]

Interesting... compare publishing dates to see which is newer... but I would expect you have to BOTH release the electric parking brake AND shift trans to neutral via some procedure varying by vehicle...
I don’t expect the dealer would be helpful... I’d go back to Lincoln and push them to escalate to a more technical resource.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Locknut

We recently bought a new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus with the 2.7 liter 6 cylinder engine for use as our toad. According to all the resources I’ve consulted, the vehicle can be towed with all four wheels down. That is not in question.

When looking at the paper Owner’s Manual that came with the vehicle it specifically states that the vehicle may be RV towed by using the transmission’s “Stay in Neutral” procedure. Other instructions say to tow in forward direction only, release the parking brake, and do not exceed 70mph.

Then later, I was looking at the digital version of the Owner’s Manual on the Lincoln website, and it gives different instructions. It states that one must use the “Manual Park Release” procedure to release the electric parking brake, tow forward only, and not to exceed 65mph. It does not mention the “Stay in Neutral” procedure at all.

So, I called the Lincoln service 800 number for clarification. The person I spoke with didn’t know which was correct, nor could they refer me to anyone at Ford that could assist me. I was told to merely contact the selling dealer.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge that could be helpful?

Thanks in advance!

My 2015 MKZ Hybrid was

Trans in "Neutral Tow" which sounds like your "Stay in Neutral"
Release Parking Brake
Do not exceed 65 MPH

I imagine the Nautilus is similar in procedures.

The FMCA Towing Guide lists a max speed of 65 and has this as a note

"Before flat towing, refer to the “manual park release” procedure in the owners manual."

If in doubt, talk to the Lincoln Dealer's Service Adviser. My experience is if the Service Adviser doesn't know the answer they should know who to call to get the answer.

The other thing to do is cycle through the control center and see if you have a Stay In Neutral setting or a Manual Park Procedure.

[Mr Sunshine]

Most of the folks on this forum are towing lighter vehicles. You seem to be treading into uncharted territory. Since the manual says you can flat tow, charge ahead! I second GMC's advice to pursue Lincoln until they give you a straight answer.

We are towing a 2011 MKX, and I just last week found the manual park release button. Oddly, on ours you have to pull it up instead of pushing it down.

I have seen several rear light setups mounted into the trailer hitch on the back of SUVs. That eliminates any risk to the factory tail lights. Easily removable when the vehicle isn't being towed.