Page 193 of 581

The brake system warning lamp will flash forapproximately 2 seconds then illuminate toconfirm that the electric parking brake hasbeen applied. See Instrument Cluster (page102).
Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving
WARNING: Applying the electricparking brake while moving will result in useof the anti-lock braking system. Do not usethe electric parking brake system when thevehicle is moving unless the normal brakesystem is unable to stop the vehicle.
WARNING: With the exception ofemergency conditions (for example, thebrake pedal does not work or is blocked), donot apply the electric parking brake whilethe vehicle is moving. On bends, or poorroad surfaces or weather conditions,emergency braking can cause the vehicle toskid out of control or off the road.
If you apply the electric parking brake whenyour vehicle is moving, the brake systemwarning lamp will illuminate and a warningchime will sound. See Instrument Cluster(page 102).
If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph (6km/h), the braking force is applied as longas the switch is applied. Release or press theswitch or press the accelerator pedal to stopthe braking force.
Releasing the electric parking brake
You can release the electric parking brakeeither manually by pressing the bottom ofthe switch or automatically.
Manual release
WARNING: If the brake system warninglight remains illuminated or flashes after youhave released the parking brake, there couldbe a problem with you braking system. Havethe system checked by an authorized dealeras soon as possible.
You can manually release the electric parkingbrake by turning the ignition on, pressing thebrake pedal and then pressing the electricparking brake switch down.
When the electric parking brake is released,the brake system warning lamp will turn off.
Driving with a Trailer
Depending on the grade and the weight ofthe trailer, your vehicle and trailer may rollbackwards slightly when you start on a slope.To prevent this from happening, do thefollowing:
190
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
BrakesE169086
Page 194 of 581

1.Pull the switch and hold it in this position.
2. Drive your vehicle, then release theswitch when you notice that the enginehas developed sufficient driving force.
Automatic release - drive away release
Your vehicle will automatically release theparking brake if all of the following conditionsexist:
•The driver door is closed.
•The vehicle is accelerated.
•There are no faults detected in theparking brake system.
Note:The driver door must be closed andthe driver safety belt must be fastenedbefore this feature will operate.
Note:If the electric parking brake warninglamp stays illuminated, the electric parkingbrake will not automatically release. Youmust release the electric parking brake usingthe electric parking brake switch.
Note:The engine must be running and theaccelerator pedal must be pressed beforethe drive away release feature will operate.
The brake system warning lamp will go offto confirm that the electric parking brake hasbeen released.
Note:The electric parking brake drive awayrelease makes starting on a hill easier. Thisfeature will release the parking brakeautomatically when the vehicle has sufficientdrive force to move up the hill. To assuredrive away release when starting uphill,press the accelerator pedal quickly.
Battery With No Charge
WARNING: You will not be able toapply or release the electric parking brakeif the battery is low or has no charge.
If the battery is low or has no charge, usejumper cables and a booster battery.
HILL START ASSIST
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When you leaveyour vehicle, always apply the parking brakeand shift the transmission into park (P) forautomatic transmission or first gear formanual transmission.
WARNING: You must remain in yourvehicle when the system turns on. At alltimes, you are responsible for controllingyour vehicle, supervising the system andintervening, if required. Failure to take caremay result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury or death.
Note:If the engine is revved excessively, orif a malfunction is detected, the system willbe deactivated.
The system makes it easier to pull awaywhen your vehicle is on a slope without theneed to use the parking brake.
191
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
Brakes
Page 195 of 581

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 accelerator pedal. The brakes release automatically when theengine has sufficient torque to prevent yourvehicle from rolling down the grade. This isan advantage when pulling away on a slope,for example from a car park ramp, trafficlights or when reversing uphill into a parkingspace.
The system will activate automatically on anyslope that will cause significant vehiclerollback. For vehicles with a manualtransmission, you can switch this feature offusing the information display. SeeInformation Displays (page 108). The systemwill remain on or off depending on how itwas 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 pedal pressedand select an uphill gear (for example,drive (D) or first (1) when facing uphill orreverse (R) when facing downhill).
2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle ison a slope, the system will activateautomatically.
3. When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal, your vehicle will remain onthe slope without rolling away for abouttwo or three seconds. This hold time willautomatically be extended if you are inthe 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. SeeGeneral Information (page 108). The systemremembers the last setting when you startyour vehicle.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a manualtransmission and an information display, youcannot turn the system on or off. When youswitch the ignition on, the systemautomatically turns on.
AUTO HOLD
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When you leaveyour vehicle, always apply the parking brake.
WARNING: You must remain in yourvehicle when the system turns on. At alltimes, you are responsible for controllingyour vehicle, supervising the system andintervening, if required. Failure to take caremay result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system will turn off ifa malfunction is apparent. Failure to takecare may result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury or death.
192
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
Brakes
Page 196 of 581

Auto Hold uses your vehicle's brakes to holdyour vehicle at a stop once your vehicle hasreached a standstill condition. For example,Auto Hold can assist you while stopping attraffic lights or while in traffic jams by holdingthe brake pressure for you once you bringyour vehicle to a stop.
Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailertowing.
Note:In case of a malfunction in the systemwhile Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle(for example, low power supply), a messageappears in the information display askingyou to press the brake pedal. If you see thismessage, press the brake pedalimmediately.
Note:Auto Hold only activates if the systemrecognizes it is applying enough brakepressure. On a steep hill or incline, you mayneed to make sure the brake pedal ispressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Holdsystem.
Note:In some cases, Auto Hold might handover to the parking brake. When the parkingbrake automatically applies, the red brakelamp appears. This is normal. When youpress the accelerator pedal, the drive awayrelease feature automatically releases theparking brake.
Note:Auto Hold works on all road grades.
Press the Auto Hold button to switch thesystem on and off. The Auto Hold indicatorlight illuminates in the Auto Hold buttonwhen the system is on.
Note:You can only switch Auto Hold on ifyou close the door and fasten your seatbelt.
193
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
BrakesE227185
Page 197 of 581

Note:Auto Hold will remain on or offdepending upon the current setting whenyour vehicle is powered down.
When Auto Hold is off, your vehicle behavesthe same as a vehicle without Auto Hold.
There is an Auto Hold indicator lamp in theinstrument cluster that has two modes, activeand unavailable:
The Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicatorlight illuminates in the informationdisplay when the system holdsyour vehicle stationary. When in active mode,press the brake pedal and the Auto Holdbutton to switch Auto Hold off.
The Auto Hold (UNAVAILABLE)indicator light illuminates in theinformation display when thesystem is on but unavailable to hold yourvehicle (for example, during Active ParkAssist, Stay in Neutral Mode, when youengage reverse gear or when you do notfasten your seatbelt or close the door).
Note:Make sure you switch off Auto Holdor use the Stay in Neutral mode before youenter a car wash. See AutomaticTransmission (page 177).
Using Auto Hold
1. Bring your vehicle to a stop by pressingthe brake pedal. After coming to a stop,the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicatorlamp illuminates in the informationdisplay.
2.Release the brake pedal. The Auto Hold(ACTIVE) indicator light remainsilluminated in the information display andAuto Hold will hold your vehicle at a stop.
3. When you press the accelerator pedal,Auto Hold releases the brakes and youwill be able to drive off. Once you driveoff, the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE)indicator no longer illuminates in theinformation display.
Note:The Stop/Start system (if equipped)may stop the engine when you press thebrake pedal. If this occurs, it will restart onceyou press the accelerator pedal. Auto Holdstill holds your vehicle at a standstill with theengine off.
194
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
BrakesE197933 E197934
Page 198 of 581

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drivewheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheels and,when needed, reduces engine power at thesame 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 tractioncontrol light illuminates steadily if the systemdetects a failure. Make sure you did notmanually disable the traction control systemusing the information display controls or theswitch. If the stability control and traction
control light is still illuminating steadily, havethe system serviced by an authorized dealerimmediately. Operating your vehicle with thetraction control disabled could lead to anincreased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The system automatically turns on each timeyou 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 information displayshowing system status.
You can switch the system off by either usingthe information display controls or the switch.
Using the Information Display Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in theinformation display. See General Information(page 108).
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on theinstrument panel to switch the system off oron.
System Indicator Lights and Messages
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 illuminates onengine start-up and stays on whenyou switch the traction control system off.
195
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
Traction ControlE138639 E130458
Page 199 of 581

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarket roofracks, suspension, steering system, tireconstruction and wheel and tire size maychange the handling characteristics of yourvehicle and may adversely affect theperformance of the electronic stability controlsystem. In addition, installing any stereoloudspeakers may interfere with andadversely affect the electronic stabilitycontrol system. Install any aftermarket stereoloudspeaker as far as possible from the frontcenter console, the tunnel, and the frontseats in order to minimize the risk ofinterfering with the electronic stability controlsensors. Reducing the effectiveness of theelectronic stability control system could leadto an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy the lawsof physics. It’s always possible to lose controlof a vehicle due to inappropriate driver inputfor the conditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to lose controlof your vehicle increasing the risk of personalinjury or property damage. Activation of theelectronic stability control system is anindication that at least some of the tires haveexceeded their ability to grip the road; thiscould reduce the operator’s ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death. If your electronic stabilitycontrol system activates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on.
If a fault occurs in either the stability controlor the traction control system, you mayexperience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily.
•The stability control and traction controlsystems do not enhance your vehicle'sability to maintain traction of the wheels.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction control systemyou may experience the following conditions:
•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 and yourfoot is not on the brake, the brake pedalmay move as the system applies higherbrake force.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
196
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
Stability Control
Page 200 of 581

Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides by applyingbrakes to one or more of the wheelsindividually and, if necessary, reducingengine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which itchanges by applying the brakes to one ormore 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 195).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 each timeyou switch the ignition on.
You cannot switch the stability control androll stability control systems off, but whenyou shift into reverse (R), the systemsdeactivate.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on. See Using Traction Control (page195).
197
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, Second-Printing
Stability ControlE72903A
AA
B
BB
B