should you always unplug the battery and put in N when towing fwd 13 ford escape that has a smart key? i didnt and it killed the battery

Asked by landetta79 Mar 31, 2016 at 10:48 PM about the 2013 Ford Escape

Question type: General

Help! recreational towing. I towed it for about 90 miles in Nuetral and when I
got to my destination the battery was dead.

15 Answers

144,795

Yes,you will have to remove positive cable,for towing it,or you will have dead battery.

1 people found this helpful.
144,795

It all depends on the towing issue and if done with tow bar or sway,meaning key would have to be on,but TS has a point,but then again its all in how you towed.

No key goes in the ignition. Its a push start. before we mounted it it was fine. Could the parking sensors have anything to do with it? it has them all around front rear and blind spot monitor sensors on the sides. its a 2 wheel doll for front wheels from uhaul. Thanks for all the info. keep it coming

144,795

The tire sensor,s may have senced motion and turnd the igintion to on,this would be my thoughts,then with igintion being on and alternator not recharging battery ,it would kill the battery,best to remove the cable next time you tow.

1 people found this helpful.

I did notice when we mounted it and I went to lock the doors with the FOB it didnt beep like it usually does. I made sure all the doors where closed and no lights on inside.

144,795

Yes, but when you pulled off with it,it cut the car on,not meaning running,but power to the PCM and all other components.

1 people found this helpful.
4,960

I would never tow an automatic towed with rear wheels on ground and a 4 wheel would be the same for front. All trans guys I've talked to tell me the pump doesn't work to lubericate the automatic transmissions and if more than a few miles can burn trans up. My suggestion always a flat bed or pick up front and disconnect driveshaft to rear wheel . If you do this and ignition off I do not believe there's anything to drain battery

4,960

Sorry guys, for some reason thought for some reason we were talking of 4 wheel drive! Ddduuuuuhhhhh!

I do know from research this model yr can not be towed on a flat bed. It says so in the manual. Tennis shoes The car sat for awhile b4 we took off. When we arrived to our stop and I wen to unlock the doors with the fob the light in front started to flash but wouldnt unlock the car. I had to use the key. I could hearing a clicking notice as if the battery was low or dead.

144,795

Leads me to think what i said above,it cut it self on,when you started moving.Easy to test it,next time you tow,drive for a short period,then stop and check it,i think you may find it to be on meaning power to console and components.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Escape

Looking for a Used Escape in your area?

CarGurus has 4,594 nationwide Escape listings starting at $1,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Bratts
    Reputation
    4,470
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    4,000
  • #3
    KenF
    Reputation
    3,750
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Edge
86 Great Deals out of 2,214 listings starting at $2,950
Used Ford Explorer
86 Great Deals out of 2,065 listings starting at $2,999
Used Honda CR-V
103 Great Deals out of 3,896 listings starting at $1,795
Used Toyota RAV4
108 Great Deals out of 2,083 listings starting at $3,888
Used Chevrolet Equinox
81 Great Deals out of 2,797 listings starting at $4,499
Used Nissan Rogue
135 Great Deals out of 5,484 listings starting at $2,495
Used Ford F-150
321 Great Deals out of 14,968 listings starting at $1,712
Used Ford Fusion
17 Great Deals out of 415 listings starting at $2,999
Used Ford Escape Hybrid
7 Great Deals out of 759 listings starting at $5,990
Used Hyundai Tucson
98 Great Deals out of 2,246 listings starting at $3,990
Used Ford Focus
23 Great Deals out of 487 listings starting at $2,250
Used Mazda CX-5
67 Great Deals out of 2,592 listings starting at $5,495
Used Toyota Camry
52 Great Deals out of 985 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Civic
180 Great Deals out of 3,705 listings starting at $1,995
Used Kia Sportage
59 Great Deals out of 1,910 listings starting at $4,400

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.