Tow-Mode Button Installation

[RhinoQuartz]

What are the gear ratios in the transmission?

Can't remember off the top of my head. You will need an entirely new transmission if you're towing more than 2000lbs.

 

[transman304]

What engine size? Not as easy as just adding a button. The PCM needs to have the proper wiring and software to make that function.

Going to be a 6F35 or 6F55.
Ratios are the same.
1st - 4.484

2nd - 2.872

3rd - 1.842

4th - 1.414

5th - 1.00

6th - 0.742

Reverse- 2.88


Final Drives

2.77, 3.16, 3.39

 

[Ree5e21]

All the button does is turn off overdrive. You can achieve the same thing by driving in Sport 'S' mode and staying in gears 1-3 (gears 4,5, and 6 are overdrive in this generation).

Sidenote, why only the button? Are you trying to retrofit the whole package?

I read it helps with towing and not really fond of having to drive in sport mode and switch gears all the time. I plan on towing a 3000lb boat once or twice a year, only a few miles each way, for maintenance and cleaning of the boat

 

[Ree5e21]

What engine size? Not as easy as just adding a button. The PCM needs to have the proper wiring and software to make that function.

Going to be a 6F35 or 6F55.
Ratios are the same.
1st - 4.484

2nd - 2.872

3rd - 1.842

4th - 1.414

5th - 1.00

6th - 0.742

Reverse- 2.88


Final Drives

2.77, 3.16, 3.39

Engine is the 3.5L. I have no clue of anything you just mentioned lol

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2018 Explorer XLT without the factory tow package. I am looking to install the tow/haul button but I am having trouble finding the part numbers. Can anyone help with the part numbers and is there much work involved to do this?

Your thread was merged with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature.
Here is what you need; 2011-2019 Ford Tract Control Switch BB5Z-13D730-CA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
See post #29 for installation assistance.
What tow mode does.
According to the owner's manual, when activated by pressing the button, the Tow/Haul feature improves transmission operation by changing the shift points so that upshifts are delayed to keep the engine operating higher in its power band when the transmission shifts. When the transmission is on OD (overdrive) having the Tow/Haul mode 'on' will provide engine braking in all gears, which is useful for when you're descending hills.

Peter

 

[Ree5e21]

Your thread was merged with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature.
Here is what you need; 2011-2019 Ford Tract Control Switch BB5Z-13D730-CA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
See post #29 for installation assistance.
What tow mode does.
According to the owner's manual, when activated by pressing the button, the Tow/Haul feature improves transmission operation by changing the shift points so that upshifts are delayed to keep the engine operating higher in its power band when the transmission shifts. When the transmission is on OD (overdrive) having the Tow/Haul mode 'on' will provide engine braking in all gears, which is useful for when you're descending hills.

Peter

Peter, I have already read that thread and it didn’t give any specific part number for my make and model. That is why I created a post for help.

 

[Ree5e21]

Your thread was merged with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature.
Here is what you need; 2011-2019 Ford Tract Control Switch BB5Z-13D730-CA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
See post #29 for installation assistance.
What tow mode does.
According to the owner's manual, when activated by pressing the button, the Tow/Haul feature improves transmission operation by changing the shift points so that upshifts are delayed to keep the engine operating higher in its power band when the transmission shifts. When the transmission is on OD (overdrive) having the Tow/Haul mode 'on' will provide engine braking in all gears, which is useful for when you're descending hills.

Pete

Sorry I didn’t see the link you posted. Thank you! Is that all I will need or will there be additional wiring?

 

[RhinoQuartz]

Engine is the 3.5L. I have no clue of anything you just mentioned lol

Then you shouldn't be towing 3000lbs.

Your vehicle is only rated to 2000lbs of towing. To tow more, you need the factory tow package. You either get that from factory or have it retrofitted. Retrofitting won't have your vehicle rated any higher than what it was when it came off the assembly line (ie still 2000lbs) but it will have the same capabilites to tow 5000lbs.

That retrofitting includes (but is not limited to) a different transmission (6F55), engine oil cooler, rear bumper class 3 hitch kit, 4 & 7 pin trailer plugs, trailer wiring harness, new air dam + cooling ductwork, tow/haul button, possibly a new PTU with coolant lines, and reprogramming of the PCM and BCM.

From what I have been able ascertain (that's 15+ dealerships and their respective service and parts departments that I've enquired), the parts and labour to install the above list is $7k+. And that list is not considered complete - if you look through multiple threads on this forum, you will find that many people (some with contacts at Ford corporate and even the Plant itself) have not been able to fully ascertain what a factory tow package. Fact is, that seems to be known only to the engineers who designed it and the assembly plant workers who put it together.

 

[peterk9]

bump

Sorry I didn’t see the link you posted. Thank you! Is that all I will need or will there be additional wiring?

Sorry, I don't know about any possible additional wiring.

Peter

 

[Ntrain]

What engine size? Not as easy as just adding a button. The PCM needs to have the proper wiring and software to make that function.

Going to be a 6F35 or 6F55.
Ratios are the same.
1st - 4.484

2nd - 2.872

3rd - 1.842

4th - 1.414

5th - 1.00

6th - 0.742

Reverse- 2.88


Final Drives

2.77, 3.16, 3.39

That's what I thought which is why I asked. The only overdrive gear is 6th.

 

[RhinoQuartz]

That's what I thought which is why I asked. The only overdrive gear is 6th.

Service manual seems to say different...

 

[Ntrain]

Service manual seems to say different...

Overdrive means the gear multiplication is "overdriven", IE, over 1:1 ratio.

What Is Overdrive in a Car Transmission?

In mechanical terms, there are three types of drive: underdrive (where the transmission output shaft turns slower than the input), direct drive (where the input and output are connected and turning the same speed) and overdrive. Overdrive is the opposite of underdrive; the output shaft turns faster than the input shaft to lower engine RPMs and conserve fuel.

 

[Ree5e21]

Overdrive means the gear multiplication is "overdriven", IE, over 1:1 ratio.

What Is Overdrive in a Car Transmission?

Can anyone tell me if this is the correct part # I would need to add tow button? The details of product are kinda confusing.

Part #
Bb5z13D730da

 

[peterk9]

Can anyone tell me if this is the correct part # I would need to add tow button? The details of product are kinda confusing.

Part #
Bb5z13D730da

That is the one for Explorers without the tow package. The one I identified in my post #45 is for those with the tow package. From what I can tell, that is likely the one you want.

Peter

 

[TURTLE1972]

I'm wondering if adding the switch will work on mine. 17 xlt without factory tow package. i have a bass boat, whole package ( boat, motor and trailer dry weight 2285 lbs.) added class 3 hitch and wiring for lights. was going to pull using select shift keeping it out of overdrive. never haul it more than an hour at a time.

 

[peterk9]

I'm wondering if adding the switch will work on mine. 17 xlt without factory tow package. i have a bass boat, whole package ( boat, motor and trailer dry weight 2285 lbs.) added class 3 hitch and wiring for lights. was going to pull using select shift keeping it out of overdrive. never haul it more than an hour at a time.

Welcome to the Forum.
Your legal tow weight would be 2000 lbs so you will be slightly over that. I suspect that you will need the required wiring as well in addition to the switch. I believe some members have been able to do it.

Peter

 

[TURTLE1972]

Welcome to the Forum.
Your legal tow weight would be 2000 lbs so you will be slightly over that. I suspect that you will need the required wiring as well in addition to the switch. I believe some members have been able to do it.

Peter

I have been digging into this, looks like i should be good if I can get trans to go into tow/haul. Everyboy says tow package has larger radiator, but when looking up the dimensions, tow package and base are the same. i will add an external trans cooler and maybe oil cooler.

 

[TURTLE1972]

Welcome to the Forum.
Your legal tow weight would be 2000 lbs so you will be slightly over that. I suspect that you will need the required wiring as well in addition to the switch. I believe some members have been able to do it.

Peter

The wiring kit I installed was factory style plug and play (just with 4 flat only).

 

[TURTLE1972]

The wiring kit I installed was factory style plug and play (just with 4 flat only).

All I need is to get comfortable with no more than 3000 pounds. Luckily here in Delaware, everything is flat. I stay off of the interstate when towing. the furthest i drive in a trip is 47 miles each way. Most trips are less than 15 with the most often trip 3.5 miles.

 

[TURTLE1972]

The button is in, low and behold, I now have "Tow/Haul" activated. The programming is in there 100 %. Verified on the road with it activated, shift points are different and overdrive is locked out.