How to put vehicle in neutral with non-working key fob/for towing

[NEFKANO]

Ugh... hoping someone see this before I have to leave for the tow truck... lost my primary key fob... and when I used my backup key fob it does not work. Admittedly I never checked or tested it to see if there was any issues. Of course I suspect it was never programed to begin with. Having vehicle towed to the dealership so they can check this... but wanted to know how do I place the vehicle into neutral... help, lol.

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[Sirwallace]

Ugh... hoping someone see this before I have to leave for the tow truck... lost my primary key fob... and when I used my backup key fob it does not work. Admittedly I never checked or tested it to see if there was any issues. Of course I suspect it was never programed to begin with. Having vehicle towed to the dealership so they can check this... but wanted to know how do I place the vehicle into neutral... help, lol.

There is a small cover at the bottom of the dash with a cable you pull to take it out of park.

 

[ScareCrow]

Ugh... hoping someone see this before I have to leave for the tow truck... lost my primary key fob... and when I used my backup key fob it does not work. Admittedly I never checked or tested it to see if there was any issues. Of course I suspect it was never programed to begin with. Having vehicle towed to the dealership so they can check this... but wanted to know how do I place the vehicle into neutral... help, lol.

Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle requires that all wheels be off the ground, such as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents damage to the transmission, all-wheel or four-wheel drive system and vehicle.

 

[Sirwallace]

Ugh... hoping someone see this before I have to leave for the tow truck... lost my primary key fob... and when I used my backup key fob it does not work. Admittedly I never checked or tested it to see if there was any issues. Of course I suspect it was never programed to begin with. Having vehicle towed to the dealership so they can check this... but wanted to know how do I place the vehicle into neutral... help, lol.

 

[NEFKANO]

Awesome... just gleaned over this... with my key fob not working I know I can remote start the vehicle with my APP, but cannot place the vehicle in neutral etc... but I see there's a manual way to do this as well... I'll re-read of course... but thank you for this quick heads up...

wish me luck

 

[NEFKANO]

Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle requires that all wheels be off the ground, such as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents damage to the transmission, all-wheel or four-wheel drive system and vehicle.

Yup... have a flat bed on its way... eventually, lol. Used the FORD roadside assistance to place the order... first time I remember I have that service as opposed to paying out of pocket, lol

 

[NEFKANO]

There is a small cover at the bottom of the dash with a cable you pull to take it out of park.

Yes, did some speed reading online and came across that as well... but how do I place the vehicle into neutral with no key fob ? That was my main concern... as mentioned have a flatbed on the way as well... also read while I was looking for documentation that all toe services used by FORD should have a copy of the procedure to tow...see how that works out, ugh.

Is it me and being 58 YOA or was towing always such an involved effort ? When I was a kid we just tied off some ropes and pulled, lol

 

[NEFKANO]

Well, finally after three tow services I finally was able to have my tiny little bronco sport moved lol.

Apparently the Ford road assist will contract with any available tow services without ensuring. They actually know how to move a vehicle.

I know it sounds simple enough, however with all the vehicles and their electronics to include the braking system and transmission in my case, with no key fob a tow service had to use a dolly in order to move the vehicle.

Anyway, five hours later and three tow services later the car was moved. What happened to the good old days of a toe strap and just take the break off with your foot ha ha. .

 

[Bronco2.7]

Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle requires that all wheels be off the ground, such as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents damage to the transmission, all-wheel or four-wheel drive system and vehicle.

I see people towing 4 wheelers behind motor homes all over the place

 

[Mark S.]

I see people towing 4 wheelers behind motor homes all over the place

It depends on the vehicle. The owner's manual for the Bronco Sport says all four wheels need to be off the ground.

 

[jkeaton]

I see people towing 4 wheelers behind motor homes all over the place

Yes. Some vehicles can be flat towed. The Bronco Sport is NOT one of them.

 

[Glamdring70]

How to start the vehicle with a dead key fob is a different issue. For that, you need to pull up the mat in the media tray and set the dead fob on it. It looks like you were stuck at a Walmart. The other option would be to go inside and get a CR2450 battery and drop it in the fob. You don't have to remember that, it's stamped on the battery.

Of course, a wrong or lost fob won't work for this.

 

[JKauf55]

There is a small cover at the bottom of the dash with a cable you pull to take it out of park.

Surprisingly the 2023 (well my ‘23 Big Bend) doesn’t/no longer have this any more. Here’s what my manual says to do…

 

[NEFKANO]

How to start the vehicle with a dead key fob is a different issue. For that, you need to pull up the mat in the media tray and set the dead fob on it. It looks like you were stuck at a Walmart. The other option would be to go inside and get a CR2450 battery and drop it in the fob. You don't have to remember that, it's stamped on the battery.

Of course, a wrong or lost fob won't work for this.

Right in my case... I washed the original fob so went to use my second fob... which I didn't think I would or should have tested... it was a no go. I tried a new battery for the year old fob/lol and still no work. Appeared it was never programmed... ugh

So $745 latter for a new fob and reprogramming and a new key on order... I'm good to go...ouch! Of course used my 42000 Ford Reward points to take $210 off that pain.. but still hurts at $530...

Its a racket for sure boys and girls... when I got home $530 poor... I promptly ordered some waterproof zip lock bags for my keys... lesson learned...lol

 

[NMhunter]

I've dropped several electronic devices in the lake or the washer and was able to save them by placing them in a bag of rice for a day or two.

I believe the time to purchase an extra fob is when you have two working fobs. Then you can order a fob on eBay and program it yourself. At least that's what I did with my Jeep Liberty.

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