2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT traction control

Seats 99
Sitting in the correct position.............................99
Head restraints.......................................100
Manual seats........................................102
Rear seats..........................................103
Auxiliary Power Points 106
Storage Compartments 107
Center console.......................................107
Overhead console.....................................107
Starting and Stopping the Engine 108
Ignition switch.......................................109
Engine block heater...................................110
Fuel and Refueling 112
Fuel quality.........................................113
Running out of fuel....................................114
Refueling...........................................114
Fuel consumption.....................................116
Transmission 121
Brakes 125
Brakes.............................................125
Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes......................126
Parking brake........................................126
Traction Control 127
TractionControl™ ....................................127
Stability Control 128
AdvanceTrac®.......................................129
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Service Engine Soon
If the service engine soon indicator light stays illuminated after
the engine is started, it indicates that the On Board Diagnostics
system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction of the vehicle
emissions control system. Refer toOn board diagnostics (OBD-II)in the
Fuel and Refuelingchapter for more information about having your
vehicle serviced.
If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
Note:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter or other vehicle components.
The service engine soon indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
first turned on prior to engine start to check the bulb and to indicate
whether the vehicle is ready for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing.
Normally, the service engine soon light will stay on until the engine is
cranked, then turn itself off if no malfunctions are present. However,
if after 15 seconds the service engine soon light blinks eight times, it
means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. SeeReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testingin theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
Stability Control System / Traction Control System (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch the ignition on to confirm it
is functional. If it remains illuminated or does not illuminate
when you switch the ignition on, this indicates a malfunction.
During a malfunction the system will switch off. Have the system
checked by your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster83
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PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of
traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system applies the brakes to individual
wheels and, when needed, reduces engine power at the same time. If the
wheels spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces, the system
reduces engine power in order to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations (for example, stuck in snow or mud), turning the
traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin
with full engine power.
Turn the traction control system off
by using the TCS OFF button (if
equipped) located on the instrument
panel next to the hazard warning
switch. OFF will illuminate in the
switch. During normal operation, TCS
will be illuminated in the switch.
System indicator lights and messages
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the Traction
Control System, the stability control light will illuminate steadily.
Verify that the Traction Control System was not manually disabled.
If the stability control light still illuminates steadily, have the system
serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle
with Traction Control disabled could lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The stability control light temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and stays on when a problem occurs in the system.
TCSOFF
Traction Control127
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PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction or wheel and tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac® system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac®
system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible
from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order
to minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTrac® sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac® system could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac® system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially resulting
in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
If your AdvanceTrac® system activates, SLOW DOWN.
The AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ system helps you keep
control of your vehicle when on a slippery surface. The electronic stability
control portion of the system helps avoid skids and lateral slides and roll
stability control helps avoid a vehicle rollover. The traction control system
helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of traction. See theTraction Control
chapter for details on traction control system operation.
128Stability Control
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AVehicle without AdvanceTrac®
with RSC® skidding off its intended
route.
BVehicle with AdvanceTrac® with
RSC® maintaining control on a
slippery surface.
USING ADVANCETRAC® WITH RSC®
The system automatically activates when you start your engine.
The AdvanceTrac® with RSC® system cannot be completely turned
off, but the electronic stability control and roll stability control portions
of the system are disabled when the transmission is in positionR.You
can turn the traction control portion of the system off independently.
See theTraction Controlchapter.
Stability Control129
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•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.
Note:Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
146Driving Hints
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TIRE CARE
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. The Tire
Quality Grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic passenger car tires.
They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, light truck or LT type tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear 1
12times as well
on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in road characteristics and climate.
212Wheels and Tires
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Traction AA A B C
Note:The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C.
The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Temperature A B C
WARNING:The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 139. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Wheels and Tires213
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