What is tow mode on Ford Explorer?

Tow mode is Ford's drive mode setting designed to optimize the Explorer when pulling a trailer or hauling heavy loads. It affects transmission gearing, throttle response, and cooling to improve control and reduce wear during towing.

What tow mode does in the Ford Explorer

When you engage Tow/Haul, the vehicle's powertrain tuning prioritizes towing performance. The shifts, engine response, and cooling are adjusted to help maintain power, stability, and reliability on long pulls.

Transmission behavior and gearing

Tow/Haul mode lengthens the time the transmission stays in lower gears, softens upshifts, and uses firmer downshifts to provide readily available torque and better engine braking when descending grades. This helps the drivetrain stay within its preferred heat and wear limits while towing.

Engine management and throttle response

The engine map is adjusted to deliver steady torque under load, with throttle response tuned for predictable acceleration when pulling a trailer. In many Explorer configurations, Eco or Sport modes may be temporarily deprioritized in favor of towing performance, depending on the drive mode system and engine.

Cooling and safety features

Tow/Haul can prioritize transmission and engine cooling to handle the extra heat generated by towing. Trailer sway control and other stability features remain active to help maintain control of the load in varying road conditions. The system works with the vehicle’s overall stability network to improve confidence on hills and during braking.

How to use Tow/Haul mode on the Ford Explorer

Engaging Tow/Haul is done through Ford's Drive Modes selector. The steps below outline a typical process, but note that exact prompts may vary by model year and trim.

• Start the vehicle and bring it to a stop, then with your foot on the brake rotate the drive-mode selector to Tow/Haul.


• Release the brake, and monitor the instrument cluster for a confirmation message or icon indicating Tow/Haul is active.


• When towing, ensure your trailer connections, lights, and, if equipped, trailer brake controller are properly set up.


• After you are finished towing, you can switch back to Normal or Eco/Normal drive modes for regular driving, as needed.

Note: Tow/Haul is typically selected manually using the drive mode selector. Check your owner's manual for your exact year and trim, as availability and behavior can vary.

When to use Tow/Haul mode

Tow/Haul mode is most beneficial when you are towing a trailer, hauling heavy equipment, or driving on long grades. It helps keep engine power available and maintains consistent transmission behavior under load. It is typically not necessary for light loads or city driving.

• When towing heavy trailers or hauling substantial loads, especially on inclines or extended climbs.


• When you want more controlled engine braking on descents to help manage speed without excessive use of the brakes.


• When you are using a trailer with a braking system or when maintaining consistent performance is important for safety and comfort.

Switching out of Tow/Haul after towing or when the load is removed helps restore normal shifting characteristics and fuel economy.

Summary

Tow mode in the Ford Explorer is a dedicated drive mode that optimizes transmission behavior, throttle response, and cooling for towing tasks. It enhances power delivery, improves engine braking and stability on long pulls, and should be used whenever you are towing or carrying heavy loads. Always consult your owner's manual for your specific model year, as features and availability can vary by trim and configuration.

When should I use tow mode?

Use tow mode when towing a heavy load, hauling heavy cargo, or driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. This mode improves performance by holding gears longer for more torque, downshifting automatically on descents to use engine braking, and increasing throttle response. It's also recommended if you are pulling anything over a road that frequently goes up and down. 
This video explains what tow/haul mode does and when to use it: 58sRV MilesYouTube · Jul 28, 2024
When to use tow mode

• Towing or hauling heavy loads: Activate tow mode when you are pulling a large trailer, boat, or camper, or carrying a heavy load in the truck's bed. Some sources recommend using it for loads over 5,000 lbs, even if empty, or when the weight is over that of five adults. 
• Hilly and mountainous terrain: Use tow mode on roads that frequently go up and down to help manage shifting and engine braking. 
• Driving down steep hills: The engine braking function in tow mode helps slow the vehicle down, which reduces the wear on your service brakes and prevents them from overheating. 
• Better throttle response: Tow mode provides more immediate power and responsiveness, which is helpful when you need to accelerate quickly while towing. 

You can watch this video to learn how tow/haul mode affects your truck's performance: 1mAutoMotive InquiriesYouTube · Sep 8, 2025
What to avoid

• Icy or slippery conditions: Some manufacturers advise against using tow mode in icy or snowy conditions because the increased engine braking could cause a loss of traction and lead to a skid. 

What does tow haul mode do on a Ford Explorer?

So your vehicle shifts. Later as you're accelerating your vehicle doesn't shift as soon what that does is it gives you more torque. So when it shifts. You're not all of a sudden.

What does Ford tow mode do?

The tow/haul feature: Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting. Provides engine braking in all forward gears, which will slow your vehicle and assist you in controlling your vehicle when descending a grade.

Is tow mode better for transmission?

Tow haul mode extends the life of the transmission and also makes stopping much safer. It will allow the engine to rev out longer which not only helps with acceleration but it is much easier on the torque converter and lowers transmission temperatures while towing.