More about the Ford S-Max
Whether it’s a quick trip into town or a family excursion the S-Max enhances the driver's experience, every time. Advanced driving technologies will assist the drivers with every manoeuvre, Active Park Assist will guide the driver into tight parking spaces whereas Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go takes the stress out of both stop-start city driving and long motorway journeys.
Hill Start Assist is another innovative technology that stops the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards when making a hill start. The system works by maintaining pressure on the braking system for an extra 2-3 seconds. The system also comes in handling when stopping and starting on slippery surfaces.
Equipped with Active Park Assist, parking has never been easier. The clever technology can steer the driver into the parking spaces with just a quick push of the button. The sensors can locate a suitable space from driving past, it will automatically steer the driver in, and all that’s left to do is operate the accelerator, gears and brake.
The intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go lets the driver set both the cruising speed and the distance from the vehicle in front. If the system detects traffic is slowing, the system will maintain the pre-set distance if conditions don’t allow for the desired cruising speed. The system can also bring the vehicle to a complete stop in heavy traffic. Once the road in front is clear the system will accelerate back up to speed.
What's my Towing Capacity?
The Ford S-Max holds a towing capacity of around 2000KG, this capacity will allow its driver to tow anything from a cycle carrier up to a medium-sized caravan. We always advise you to refer to the vehicle's VIN plate when deciding what to tow, as different models may differ in maximum towing capacities.
Which Towbar is best for my Ford S-Max?
There are three different towbars available for the Ford S-Max; the fixed swan neck towbar the fixed flange towbar and the detachable swan neck towbar.
The fixed flange is a permanent towbar that is attached to the chassis constantly. It is also the style of towbar that can tow both a bolt-on cycle carrier and tow using the towball simultaneously. The fixed flange towbar is fitted with a plate at the rear of the towbar that allows for towing accessories or bolt-on cycle carriers to bolt onto it. Due to its chunky design, the fixed flange can cause interference with rear parking sensors, meaning that when the vehicle is put into reverse the sensors would detect the towbar causing the beeping to trigger. The fixed flange towbar is not ALKO compatible therefore if towing anything with an ALKO stabiliser an ALKO towball would need to be fitted beforehand.
The fixed swan neck towbar is another permanent towbar, again this would be a permanent fixture to the vehicle’s chassis. The fixed swan neck is a lot thinner than the flange design, therefore a much better choice for vehicles fitted with parking sensors. The fixed swan neck towbar is compatible with all clamps on styles of cycle carriers, trailers and caravans. The fixed swan neck is also ALKO compatible, meaning no ALKO ball is required if using the towbar to tow anything with an ALKO Stabiliser.
The detachable swan neck towbar is the only style of towbar that can be removed at the end of towing. The detachable towbar has a lock on the side of the bar so the driver can lock the towbar when it’s not in use. The towbar neck can easily be detached using a simple twist and lock mechanism. The detachable swan neck is compatible with all styles of clamp on cycle carriers, trailers and caravans. The detachable swan neck is also ALKO compatible and will work with all ALKO stabilisers.
Will it need a bumper cut?
When fitting any of the three towbars to the Ford S-Max the bumper will need to be removed during fitment. There will be a small non-visible bumper cut made to the vehicle's undertray, this cut is classed as non-visible as it will only be visible when looking at it head-on.
