2014 Ford Focus auto transmission

Before you buy one of those cars do a Google search on Auto Trans. problems for Ford Focus. Lots of reading.

Moisheh

Also keep in mind with this vehicle (Focus), the towing procedure requires you to disconnect the battery whenever you are towing it. That being the case, you have to reset some things in the car when you unhitch and hook battery back up.

Not disconnecting the battery when towing it can lead to major transmission damage. Do a search, you'll see some cases where that has happened.

This battery disconnect thing was what made us scratch the Focus off our list, did not want to have to mess with disconnecting and re-=connecting the battery every time we tow. 'Tis why we went with a Ford Fusion Hybrid instead. Would recommend you look into such. Much, much easier and more simple to tow, and the mileage is unbeatable.

I tow a 2014 Focus. The battery disconnect is grossly blown out of proportion on this and other forums. I flipped the battery around in the case by installing a longer positive cable. It takes all of 10 seconds to remove or reinstall the negative cable at the battery. It takes less than 2 minutes to reset the time, date etc. on the radio.
You simply put it in Neutral, the display says "READY", disconnect the battery and tow.
It is a great car to tow and drive when you get there.

I tow a 2014 Focus Titanium. We installed a negative cable disconnect switch. It does reset the trip computer, but that's about it. So far, there are no issues to report with the car or towing it.

We literally picked up our 2014 Focus from the RV dealer yesterday after being converted for flat tow. Our experience so far has been a 50 mile trip to bring it back home. We went with Road Master all the way except for the marine battery disconnect switch we had our Ford dealer install for us. Turning a knob is far easier than using a wrench, any a loose cable does not exist that might accidentally make another ground connection.

Disconnecting the battery also resets the clock, but the radio stations and phone are still there. The Ford dealer also mentioned that the transmission, computer, takes about 5,000 miles to completely learn how you drive so it can shift smoothly. No problem, but it might double clutch or be a little choppy for the first few miles, it does improve quickly.

The "problem" with the focus transmission is relatively simple. The focus is available with a 6 speed manual transmission and a 6 speed automatic transmission. Most front wheel cars with auto transmission can never be towed because you can't really put them in neutral, and even in neutral the gears still turn which burns them up.

The Focus auto tranny is actually their manual tranny with a computer system that senses things like road speed and engine speed to determine what gear you should be in and then under computer control engages a two level clutching system to remain in the proper gear. If there is battery power to that computer system it will try to change gears while being towed, sensing road speed.

If you decide on the Focus, and we just picked our up after having a Road Master towing system installed, double check the battery connection when you pick up the converted car. All you have to do is try to blow the horn!

We had a minor problem with ours because the RV dealer had never done a Focus with that battery situation. The Road Master Even Brake system requires that it be plugged into the battery power outlet. We had a parallel power outlet installed which was powered by the motor home. The technician made a mistake and attached the parallel power outlet to a metal part under the dash which of course made a connection for the car battery. All he had to do was unscrew it from the metal part of the frame and move it the "plastic" of the dash covering near the hood release. Again, we tested it during orientation by trying to blow the horn once hooked up. Works fine now.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I also Subscribed to get Email notices on this thread.

We've been towing '14 Focus Titanium, push button start, auto trans. for about 9 mo. Without insident. I installed a latching solenoid in POSITIVE cable including white wire. Mounted a weather proof, momentary contact push button switch in lower front fake grill. Don't even have to open hood, just listen for solenoid to click. Set up is as easy as my '98 Chev Tracker 4 WD. We use a Ready Break surge break with breakaway system, no extra wireing for charging battery, just lights. Peter

The only issue is making sure it verifies Neutral before shutting it off. Nearly all problems with towing this transmission have been due to shutting it off too soon. The newer versions already have the indicator on the dash to let you know. Older versions can be "re-flashed" at the dealer to add this feature, or as mentioned failing to disconnect power.