I am interested in flat towing a 2017 Ford Fiesta ST (manual transmission) with all 4 wheels on the ground. The Ford manual states all manual transmission Ford Fiesta St's can be flat towed. But Get
Jerry.com and other online forums state it can not be flat towed. What Ford Fiesta models can be flat towed going up to 70 MPH? What automatic transmission Ford Fiesta models can be flat towed going up to 70 MPH? Are there any Ford Fiesta models that can not be flat towed?
I had a similar quandary with my manual transmission 2003 Sentra SE_R Spec V where various publications said I could not flat tow the SE-R, but that all other Sentra's could be flat-towed. When I spoke to a company that makes and sells Base Plates, Tow Bars and RV towing accessories, they told me that the Sentra's SE-R's front bumper cover and bumper was different (lower) than the lower level Sentra's and that their base plates (the part that attaches to the car being towed) would interfere with that nose, so my only solution was to either poke nasty holes in my SE-R nose or get a standard front bumper and bumper cover. So, it wasn't something mechanical in my case, but something more cosmetic. I suspect that with a manual trans ST, maybe its the intercooler that is different on the ST's than the Non- ST Fiesta's and that is why the Non ST's are approved to tow and the STs are not. I would call Roadmaster who makes these things and puts out a guide on which vehicles can be flat-towed every year and hope you get someone who was as knowledgeable as the woman I spoke with who knew the exact detail as to why my car had interference issues.
I wouldn't use the Ford Manual or even the towing document that someone else posted as it is likely full of so many CYA (cover your ass) language that it might be possible, but they are trying to cover all bases as to not open themselves up for a lawsuit.
BTW I flat tow, my auto transmission Ford Edge Sport for years and have never had any issues, so whoever posted "you should never tow with any automatic transmission (whether you worked as a triple A tow driver or not) clearly has no understanding of the advancements of the newest automatic transmissions.