Why Does Battery of 2018 Ford Focus Have to Disconnect to Flat Tow It
Updated 06/25/2019 | Published 06/24/2019
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
The owners manual says to disconnect the negative battery terminal for towing. Is this only to prevent the battery from going dead I can run a charge line, or is there some danger that having power while towing on will cause transmission damage?
asked by: Bob R
Expert Reply:
In order to unlock the steering wheel of your 2018 Ford Focus the key needs to be in the on position. The problem with this is that it will drain the battery if left like that. So you have to disconnect the battery so that it doesn't drain and the steering wheel remains unlocked.
The Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect # RM-766 that you referenced is a great solution for this as it automatically disconnects the battery and with the charge line kit part # RM-156-25 it can also put a maintenance charge on the vehicle as it's being towed.
I attached an install video for this kit on a similar 2018 Ford Focus.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Battery Disconnect for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas Only
- Accessories and Parts
- Flat Tow Wiring Harness
- Battery Disconnect
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: base plate for tow bar
- Search Results: rm8700
- Search Results: demco stay~in~play
- Search Results: battery disconnect
- Search Results: tow bar
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,500 lbs
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Disconnect for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas Only
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Article: We Used 34 RV Tow Bars, and These are the Best for Flat Towing
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: The Definitive, Step-by-Step Flat Towing Setup Guide
- Video: DIY Install: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit on your 2018 Ford Focus
- Q&A: What Does Triangle on Blue Ox Patriot Remote Controller Mean
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Video: Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect Installation - 2018 Ford Focus
- Shop: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Search Results: flat tow wiring harness
- Shop: Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Way to 6-Way Coiled Adapter Cord
- Q&A: Flat Towing Package for 2016-2018 Ford Focus With Adaptive Cruise Control
- Q&A: How to Power Electric Braking System When Ford Focus Battery is Disconnected
- Shop: Blue Ox EZ Light Custom Plug-In Tow Bar Wiring Kit
- Video: DIY 2018 Ford Focus Installation for the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit
- Search Results: third brake light
- Video: All You Need to Know About the Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar
- Video: A Closer Look at the Blue Ox Acclaim Non-Binding Tow Bar Coupler Style for 2" Ball
- Video: Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar Review
- Video: In-Depth Review of the Demco Battery Disconnect Switch
- Q&A: Troubleshooting a Blue Ox Patriot 3 Braking System that Won't Release Brakes
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Blue Ox Patriot Braking System with Arm that Won't Retract
on Accessories and Parts
