I have a Ford F53, V-10 with the tow button on the end of the shifter. What is the correctway to use this feature? I have been told to use it in traffic only and have also been told to only use it when driving in the mountains. I tow a 2010 CRV and wonder if the tow assist should always be on. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I use it quite a bit and not just for towing. The F53 V10 tow feature acts as an engine brake as well as better torque for pulling loads and grades. When going down descents, press the button and when you hit the brakes, the transmission will drop to a lower gear, hit it again and will drop further etc. I have gone down 6% grades using it and never had to actually use my brakes to slow me down. I also use it in traffic as the lower gear helps slow you down, again using the engine to brake more than the brakes. The button simply changes the shifting for better pulling and braking. I wouldn’t use it on the highway.

As Effy stated. Changes the shift pattern for the transmission. Makes it a bit more aggressive with shift points when slowing down and accelerating.Use it anytime you want, won't hurt the engine or transmission. The computers will protect both. Play around with it to get an idea how it fits with your driving patterns.

As above we use it going downhill mostly, but when going up hill if the trans shifts more than once I engage it also and the "hunting" goes away. What it effectively does on upshifts is extend the shifting range, i.e. shifts at higher rpm, and on the way down hill will hold a lower gear without being manually shifted. The trans will downshift on it's own if you push the brakes and scrub off some speed, somewhere between 5-10 mph reduction triggers it seems.

With it on. It will hold a lower gear longer before upshifting.I use it a lot for going down hill. As when you step on the brake pedal. The trans will down shift. Good for exiting a free way also. Save's on brakes.

imho, the tow/haul button, is for towing,like the question how far can u back up with a towbar!!!!!!! what wow now its all happy-camping

Towing button on shifter | Good Sam Community

marbilupton
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Mine is on all the time when I am towing.
cdbobby1
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
If I'm towing it is on. Better driving and have not noticed any change in gas millage.
Finally_Time
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Whenever I am towing my CRV I use it. At first i tried a couple of trips with it and without it. I'm with lostdog, no difference in mileage but it sure makes driving more comfortable.
lostdog
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Our Tow/Haul is on when towing the Jeep toad. Always. Helps pickup speed, helps slow down, helps going up hills, helps going down hills. For all the reasons said above. I've never seen a difference in fuel mileage because you don't have to press the gas pedal as far when accelerating. Use in it conjunction with your cruise control, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Daveinet
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Don't think of the Tow/Haul switch as an automatic must turn on anytime you are towing. Use it as an "on Demand" feature based on need. If you notice the coach is shifting often, or you are in a hilly area, then use it based on need. It is unlikely you would desire it when you are on flat freeway, unless you encounter a really strong headwind. This feature changes the shift points, so it will affect your mileage.
crasster
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2014
Simply put, use it when there is more power needed or there is more strain on the vehicle. Towing, going up grades, going down grades - or for the young at heart, writing your name in cursive in a muddy grass field.
GGoodsell
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
I have the same drivetrain and also tow a 2010 CRV. My rule is "If the CRV is attached, the button is ON." The only time I leave it off is if the motorhome is being driven by itself on level terrain.
wallynm
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
We have done it for about 50 feet and could have done more but 50 was all I needed!!!!!

Monaco Montclair wrote:
like the question how far can u back up with a towbar!!!!!!! what wow
now its all happy-camping
Monaco_Montclai
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
imho, the tow/haul button, is for towing,like the question how far can u back up with a towbar!!!!!!! what wow
now its all happy-camping
rvten
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
With it on. It will hold a lower gear longer before upshifting.
I use it a lot for going down hill. As when you step on the brake pedal. The trans will down shift. Good for exiting a free way also. Save's on brakes.

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