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When the system is active, your vehicle willremain stationary on the slope for two tothree seconds after you release the brakepedal. This allows you time to move yourfoot from the brake to the acceleratorpedal. The brakes release automaticallywhen the engine has sufficient torque toprevent your vehicle from rolling down thegrade. This is an advantage when pullingaway on a slope, for example from a carpark ramp, traffic lights or when reversinguphill into a parking space.
The system will activate automatically onany slope that will cause significant vehiclerollback. For vehicles with a manualtransmission, you can switch this featureoff using the information display. SeeInformation Displays (page 93). Thesystem will remain on or off depending onhow it was last set.
Note:There is no warning lamp to indicatethe system is either on or off.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with AutoHold, Hill Start Assist will not be availablewhile Auto Hold is active.
Using Hill Start Assist
1. Bring your vehicle to a completestandstill. Keep the brake pedalpressed and select an uphill gear (forexample, first (1) when facing uphill orreverse (R) when facing downhill).
2. If the sensors detect that your vehicleis on a slope, the system will activateautomatically.
3. When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal, your vehicle will remainon the slope without rolling away forabout two or three seconds. This holdtime will automatically be extended ifyou are in the process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. Thebrakes will release automatically.
Switching the System On and Off
You can switch this feature on or off if yourvehicle is equipped with a manualtransmission and an information display.See General Information (page 93). Thesystem remembers the last setting whenyou start your vehicle.
If your vehicle is not equipped with amanual transmission and an informationdisplay, you cannot turn the system on oroff. When you switch the ignition on, thesystem automatically turns on.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoiddrive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheelsand, when needed, reduces engine powerat the same time. If the wheels spin whenaccelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,the system reduces engine power in orderto increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING
The stability and traction controllight illuminates steadily if thesystem detects a failure. Make sureyou did not manually disable the tractioncontrol system using the informationdisplay controls or the switch. If thestability control and traction control lightis still illuminating steadily, have thesystem serviced by an authorized dealerimmediately. Operating your vehicle withthe traction control disabled could lead toan increased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:When you switch traction control off,stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, amessage appears in the informationdisplay showing system status.
You can switch the system off by eitherusing the information display controls orthe switch.
Using the Information DisplayControls
You can switch this feature off or on in theinformation display. See GeneralInformation (page 93).
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on theinstrument panel to switch the system offor on.
The switch illuminates when tractioncontrol is off.
System Indicator Lights andMessages
The stability and traction controllight:
•Temporarily illuminates on enginestart-up.
•Flashes when a driving conditionactivates either of the systems.
•Illuminates if a problem occurs in eitherof the systems.
The stability and traction controloff light temporarily illuminateson engine start-up and stays onwhen you switch the traction controlsystem off.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involvingbraking system, aftermarket roofracks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronic stabilitycontrol system. In addition, installing anystereo loudspeakers may interfere withand adversely affect the electronic stabilitycontrol system. Install any aftermarketstereo loudspeaker as far as possible fromthe front center console, the tunnel, andthe front seats in order to minimize the riskof interfering with the electronic stabilitycontrol sensors. Reducing theeffectiveness of the electronic stabilitycontrol system could lead to an increasedrisk of loss of vehicle control, vehiclerollover, personal injury and death.
Remember that even advancedtechnology cannot defy the laws ofphysics. It’s always possible to losecontrol of a vehicle due to inappropriatedriver input for the conditions. Aggressivedriving on any road condition can causeyou to lose control of your vehicleincreasing the risk of personal injury orproperty damage. Activation of theelectronic stability control system is anindication that at least some of the tireshave exceeded their ability to grip the road;this could reduce the operator’s ability tocontrol the vehicle potentially resulting ina loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death. If your electronicstability control system activates, SLOWDOWN.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction controlsystem you may experience the followingconditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
•A vibration in the brake pedal.
•The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
•If the driving condition is severe andyour foot is not on the brake, the brakepedal may move as the systemsapplies higher brake forces.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides byapplying brakes to one or more of thewheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at whichit changes by applying the brakes to oneor more wheels individually.
Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 167).
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Vehicle without stability controlskidding off its intended route.A
Vehicle with stability controlmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
B
USING STABILITY CONTROL
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
You cannot switch the stability controlsystem off, but when you shift into reverse(R), the system deactivates.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on. See Using Traction Control(page 167).
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AA
B
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, pleaseread and understand the limitationsof the system as contained in thissection. Sensing is only an aid for some(generally large and fixed) objects whenmoving on a flat surface at parking speeds.Certain objects with surfaces that absorbultrasonic waves, surrounding vehicle'sparking aid systems, traffic controlsystems, fluorescent lamps, inclementweather, air brakes, and external motorsand fans may also affect the function ofthe sensing system; this may includereduced performance or a false activation.
To help avoid personal injury, alwaysuse caution when in reverse (R) andwhen using the sensing system.
This system is not designed toprevent contact with small or movingobjects. The system is designed toprovide a warning to assist the driver indetecting large stationary objects to avoiddamaging your vehicle. The system maynot detect smaller objects, particularlythose close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as largetrailer hitches, bike or surfboard racksand any device that may block thenormal detection zone of the system, maycreate false beeps.
Note:Keep the sensors, located on thebumper or fascia, free from snow, ice andlarge accumulations of dirt. If the sensorsare covered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors withsharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia, leaving it misalignedor bent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alarms.
Note:The sensing system cannot be turnedoff when a MyKey is present. See Principleof Operation (page 51).
Note:If you attach certain add-on devicessuch as a trailer or bike rack, the rear sensingsystem may detect that add-on device andtherefore provide warnings. It is suggestedthat you disable the rear sensing systemwhen you attach an add-on device to yourvehicle to prevent these warnings.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
The system can be switched off throughthe information display menu or from thepop-up message that appears once youshift the transmission into reverse (R). SeeGeneral Information (page 93).
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay. See Information Messages(page 101).
REAR PARKING AID
The rear sensors are only active when thetransmission is in reverse (R). As yourvehicle moves closer to the obstacle, therate of the audible warning increases.When the obstacle is less than 10 in(25 cm) away, the warning soundscontinuously. If the system detects astationary or receding object farther than10 in (25 cm) from the corners of thebumper, the tone sounds for only threeseconds. Once the system detects anobject approaching, the warning soundsagain.
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Coverage area of up to 6 ft (1.8 m) fromthe rear bumper. There may be decreasedcoverage area at the outer corners of thebumper.
The system detects certain objects whilethe transmission is in reverse (R) :
•Your vehicle is moving toward astationary object at a speed of 3 mph(5 km/h) or less.
•Your vehicle is not moving, but amoving object is approaching the rearof your vehicle at a speed of 3 mph(5 km/h) or less.
•Your vehicle is moving at a speed ofless than 3 mph (5 km/h) and a movingobject is approaching the rear of yourvehicle at a speed of less than 3 mph(5 km/h).
FRONT PARKING AID
The front sensors are active when thetransmission is in any position other thanpark (P) and the vehicle speed is below8 mph (13 km/h).
Coverage area of up to 28 in (70 cm) fromthe front bumper. There is decreasedcoverage area at the outer corners.
The system sounds an audible warningwhen obstacles are near either bumper inthe following manner:
•Objects detected by the front sensorsare indicated by a high-pitched tonefrom the front of the vehicle.
•Objects detected by the rear sensorsare indicated by a lower pitched tonefrom the rear of the vehicle.
•The sensing system reports theobstacle which is closest to the frontor rear of the vehicle. For example, ifan obstacle is 12 in (30 cm) from thefront of the vehicle and, at the sametime, an obstacle is only 6 in (15 cm)from the rear of the vehicle, the lowerpitched tone sounds.
•An alternating warning sounds fromthe front and rear if there are objectsat both bumpers that are closer than10 in (25 cm).
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ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (If Equipped)
WARNING
This system is designed to be asupplementary park aid. It may notwork in all conditions and is notintended to replace the driver’s attentionand judgment. The driver is responsible foravoiding hazards and maintaining a safedistance and speed, even when the systemis in use.
Note:The driver is always responsible forcontrolling the vehicle, supervising thesystem and intervening if required.
The system detects an available parallelparking space and automatically steersthe vehicle into the space (hands-free)while you control the accelerator, gearshiftand brakes. The system visually andaudibly instructs you to park the vehicle.
The system may not function correctly ifsomething passes between the frontbumper and the parking space (i.e. apedestrian or cyclist) or if the edge of theneighboring parked vehicle is high from theground (i.e. a bus, tow truck or flatbedtruck).
Note:The sensors may not detect objectsin heavy rain or other conditions that causedisruptive reflections.
Note:The sensors may not detect objectswith surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Note:After a tire change the system will gothrough a relearning procedure. During thistime the system performance maydeteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
•a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer)is attached to the front or rear of thevehicle or at another location close tothe sensors.
•an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard)is attached to the roof.
•the front bumper, rear bumper or sidesensors are damaged (i.e. in a collision)or obstructed by a foreign object (i.e.front bumper cover).
•a mini-spare tire is in use.
Using Active Park Assist
Press the button. The touch screendisplays a message and a correspondinggraphic to indicate it's searching for aparking space. Use the turn signal toindicate which side of the vehicle you wantthe system to search on.
Note:If the turn signal is not on, the systemautomatically searches on the vehicle'spassenger side.
Note:You can also activate the Active ParkAssist system after you have already drivenpartially or completely past a parking space.To do so, press the Active Park button andthe system will inform you if you haverecently passed a suitable parking space.
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When a suitable space is found, the touchscreen displays a message and a chimesounds. Slow down and stop atapproximately position (A), then followthe instructions on the touch screen.
Note:You must observe that the selectedspace remains clear of obstructions at alltimes in the maneuver.
Note:Vehicles with overhanging loads (forexample, a bus or a truck), street furnitureand other items may not be detected byactive park assist. You must make sure theselected space is suitable for parking.
Note:The vehicle should be driven asparallel to other vehicles as possible whilepassing a parking space.
Note:The system always offers the lastdetected parking space (i.e. if the vehicledetects multiple spaces while you aredriving, it offers the last one).
Note:If driven above approximately 22 mph(35 km/h), the touch screen shows amessage to alert you to reduce vehiclespeed.
Automatic Steering into ParkingSpace
Note:If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph (10km/h), the system switches off and youneed to take full control of the vehicle.
Note:If a maneuver is interrupted beforecompletion, the system switches off. Thesteering wheel position will not indicate theactual position of the steering and you haveto full take control of the vehicle.
When you shift the transmission intoreverse (R), with your hands off the wheel(and nothing obstructing its movement),your vehicle steers itself into the space.The system displays instructions to moveyour vehicle back and forth in the space.
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