2017 FORD TAURUS traction control

Sand
Most of the time traction control improvestire traction by managing wheel slipthrough Brake, Engine, and AWDcalibrations. However, during low speeddriving, disabling traction control in deepsand can help keep the wheels moving tomaintain vehicle momentum.
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail.Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shiftto a lower gear and drive steadily throughthe terrain. Apply the accelerator slowlyand avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand foran extended period of time. This couldcause the AWD system to overheat anddefault to front-wheel drive. If this occurs,an AWD OFF message displays in theinformation display. To resume normalAWD function as soon as possible, stopthe vehicle in a safe location and stop theengine for at least 10 minutes. After theengine has been restarted and the AWDsystem has adequately cooled, the AWDOFF message turns off and normal AWDfunction returns. In the event the engine isnot stopped, the AWD OFF message turnsoff when the system cools and normalAWD function returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sandunder high outside temperatures, use L(Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gearoperation will maximize the engine andtransmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/Cmay cycle on and off to protectoverheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehiclemomentum can work against you andcause the vehicle to become stuck to thepoint that assistance may be required fromanother vehicle. Remember, you may beable to back out the way you came if youproceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, driveslowly. Traction or brake capability maybe limited.
When driving through water, determine thedepth; avoid water higher than the bottomof the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottomof the hubs (for trucks) (if possible) andproceed slowly. If the ignition system getswet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle aseffectively as dry brakes. Drying can beimproved by moving your vehicle slowlywhile applying light pressure on the brakepedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehiclespeed or direction when you are driving inmud. Even AWD vehicles can lose tractionin slick mud. As when you are driving oversand, apply the accelerator slowly andavoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicledoes slide, steer in the direction of the slideuntil you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residuestuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.Excess mud stuck on tires and rotatingdriveshafts causes an imbalance thatcould damage drive components.
Note:Driving through deep water maydamage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged inwater, have the power transfer unit (PTU)or rear axle serviced by an authorizeddealer.
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All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)E143950

“Tread Lightly” is an educational programdesigned to increase public awareness ofland-use regulations and responsibilitiesin our nations wilderness areas. Ford MotorCompany joins the U.S. Forest Service andthe Bureau of Land Management inencouraging you to help preserve ournational forest and other public and privatelands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning onsteep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losingtraction, slipping sideways and possiblyrolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,determine beforehand the route you willuse. Do not drive over the crest of a hillwithout seeing what conditions are on theother side. Do not drive in reverse over a hillwithout the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or downa hill or steep incline, you should alwaystry to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, startin a lower gear rather than downshifting toa lower gear from a higher gear once theascent has started. This reduces strain onthe engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaroundbecause you might roll over. It is better toback down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels toclimb the hill. Too much power will causethe tires to slip, spin or lose traction,resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you woulduse to climb up the hill to avoid excessivebrake application and brake overheating.Do not descend in neutral; instead,disengage overdrive or manually shift to alower gear. When descending a steep hill,avoid sudden hard braking as you couldlose control. The front wheels have to beturning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, thereforeapply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING
If you are driving in slipperyconditions that require tire chains orcables, then it is critical that you drivecautiously. Keep speeds down, allow forlonger stopping distances and avoidaggressive steering to reduce the chancesof a loss of vehicle control which can leadto serious injury or death. If the rear end ofyour vehicle slides while cornering, steer inthe direction of the slide until you regaincontrol of your vehicle.
Note:Excessive tire slippage can causedriveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WDvehicles in snow and ice but can skid likeany other vehicle.
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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 89).
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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Traction ControlE138639 E130458

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 fault occurs in either the stabilitycontrol or the traction control system, youmay experience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily.
•The stability control and tractioncontrol systems do not enhance yourvehicle's ability to maintain traction ofthe wheels.
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 system applieshigher brake force.
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.
Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 166).
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Stability Control

Vehicle without stability controlskidding off its intended route.A
B Vehicle with stability controlmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
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.
On SHO models only, you can disable thestability control system when you pressand hold the stability control button formore than five seconds with your vehicleat a stop and your foot on the brake.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on. See Using Traction Control(page 166).
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Stability ControlE72903A
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B
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Stability Control Features
Traction ControlSystemElectronicStability ControlIcon StatusModeButton Func-tions
EnabledEnabledOn during bulbcheckStability andtraction controlfully enabled
Default at start-up
DisabledEnabledOnTraction controloffButton pressedmomentarily
EnabledEnabledOnSport mode(SHO withperformancepack only)
Button pressedtwice; brakesapplied
DisabledDisabledOnStability controldisabled (SHOwith perform-ance pack only)
Button pressedand held morethan 5 seconds;brakes applied;no throttle
EnabledEnabledOffStability controlfully enabledButton pressedagain afterdeactivation
The SHO with performance package isequipped with sport mode. This will allowyou to reduce normal stability controlsystem intervention and provide a morespirited driving experience.
To enter sport mode, press the stabilitycontrol button twice rapidly with thebrakes applied.
You will see a message appear in theinformation display that the system is nowin sport mode.
Note:Sport mode is not intended to beused on public roadways.
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Stability Control

Note:Active park assist may not detectvehicles with overhanging loads (a bus or atruck), street furniture and other items. Youmust make sure the selected space issuitable for parking.
Note:You should drive your vehicle within5 ft (1.5 m) and as parallel to the othervehicles as possible while passing a parkingspace.
Note:The system always offers the lastdetected parking space (for example, if yourvehicle detects multiple spaces while youare driving, it offers the last one).
Note:If driven above approximately 22 mph(35 km/h), the display screen shows amessage to alert you to reduce your vehiclespeed.
Automatic Steering into ParkingSpace
Note:If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph(10 km/h) or the maneuver is interrupted(driver input is detected), the systemswitches off and you need to take fullcontrol of your vehicle.
Note:If a maneuver is interrupted beforecompletion, the system switches off. Thesteering wheel position will not indicate theactualy position of the steering and you haveto take full control of your 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.
When you think your vehicle has enoughspace in front and behind it, or you hear asolid tone from the parking aid(accompanied by a touchscreen displaymessage and a chime), bring your vehicleto a complete stop.
When automatic steering is complete, thesystem displays a message and a chimesounds, indicating that the active parkassist process is finished. The driver isresponsible for checking the parking joband making any necessary correctionsbefore leaving your vehicle.
Deactivating the Park AssistFeature
Manually deactivate the system by:
•Pressing the active park assist buttonduring an active maneuver.
•Grabbing the steering wheel during anactive maneuver.
•Driving above approximately 22 mph(35 km/h) for 30 seconds during anactive park search.
•Driving above 6 mph (10 km/h) duringautomatic steering.
•Turning off the traction control system.
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Certain vehicle conditions can alsodeactivate the system, such as:
•Traction control has activated on aslippery or loose surface.
•There is an anti-lock brake systemactivation or failure.
•Something touches the steering wheel.
If a problem occurs with the system, awarning message is displayed, followedby a chime. Occasional system messagesmay occur in normal operation. Forrecurring or frequent system faults, contactan authorized dealer to have your vehicleserviced.
Troubleshooting the System
The system does not look for a space
The traction control system may be off.
The transmission is in reverse (R); your vehicle must be moving forward to detect aparking space.
The system does not offer a particular space
The sensors may be covered (for example, snow, ice or dirt buildup). Covered sensorscan affect the system's functionality
There is not enough room in the parking space for your vehicle to safely park.
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite side of the parkingspace.
The parking space is farther than 5 ft (1.5 m) or closer than 16 in (40 cm) away.
Your vehicle is going faster than 22 mph (35 km/h).
You may have recently disconnected or replaced the battery. After a battery disconnect,the vehicle must be driven on a straight road at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h)for up to 30 seconds.
The system does not position your vehicle where I want in the space
Your vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (rolling forward whenreverse [R] is selected).
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from aligning your vehicleproperly.
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned correctly.
Your vehicle was pulled too far past the parking space.
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Parking Aids