Ford C-MAX Hybrid / Energi (2016 year). Manual - part 41

PRINCIPLE 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

WARNING

The stability and traction control
light illuminates steadily if the
system detects a failure. Make sure

you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.

If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial 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, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status.

You can switch the system off by either
using the information display controls or
the switch.

Using the Information Display
Controls

You can switch this feature off or on in the
information display. See General
Information (page 93).

Using a Switch

 (If Equipped)

Use the traction control switch on the
instrument panel to switch the system off
or on.

The switch illuminates when traction
control is off.

System Indicator Lights and
Messages

E138639

The stability and traction control
light:

•

Temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up.

•

Flashes when a driving condition
activates either of the systems.

•

Illuminates if a problem occurs in either
of the systems.

The stability and traction control
off light temporarily illuminates
on engine start-up and stays on

when you switch the traction control
system off.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

Vehicle modifications involving
braking system, aftermarket roof
racks, suspension, steering system,

tire construction and wheel and tire size
may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle and may adversely affect
the performance of the electronic stability
control system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with
and adversely affect the electronic stability
control 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 electronic stability
control sensors. Reducing the
effectiveness of the electronic stability
control system could lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death.

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
electronic stability control 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 electronic
stability control system activates, SLOW
DOWN.

The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.

If a driving condition activates either the
stability control or the traction control
system you may experience the following
conditions:

•

The stability and traction control light
flashes.

•

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
your foot is not on the brake, the brake
pedal may move as the systems
applies higher brake forces.

The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle:

Electronic Stability Control

The system enhances your vehicle’s ability
to prevent skids or lateral slides by
applying brakes to one or more of the
wheels individually and, if necessary,
reducing engine power.

Roll Stability Control

The system enhances your vehicle’s ability
to prevent rollovers by detecting your
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which
it changes by applying the brakes to one
or more wheels individually.

Traction Control

The system enhances your vehicle’s ability
to maintain traction of the wheels by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. See
Using Traction Control (page 167).

E72903

A

A

A

B

B

B

B

Vehicle without stability control
skidding off its intended route.

A

Vehicle with stability control
maintaining control on a slippery
surface.

B

USING STABILITY CONTROL

The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.

You cannot switch the stability control
system off, but when you shift into reverse
(R), the system deactivates.

You can switch the traction control system
off or on.  See Using Traction Control
(page 167).

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this

section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving on a flat surface at parking speeds.
Certain objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves, surrounding vehicle's
parking aid systems, traffic control
systems, fluorescent lamps, inclement
weather, air brakes, and external motors
and fans may also affect the function of
the sensing system; this may include
reduced performance or a false activation.

To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.

This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to

provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging your vehicle. The system may
not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.

Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the

normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps.

Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.

Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms.

Note: The sensing system cannot be turned
off when a MyKey is present.  See Principle
of Operation (page 51).

Note: If you attach certain add-on devices
such as a trailer or bike rack, the rear sensing
system may detect that add-on device and
therefore provide warnings. It is suggested
that you disable the rear sensing system
when you attach an add-on device to your
vehicle to prevent these warnings.

The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.

The system can be switched off through
the information display menu or from the
pop-up message that appears once you
shift the transmission into reverse (R).  See
General Information (page 93).

If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display.  See Information Messages
(page 101).

REAR PARKING AID

The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in reverse (R). As your
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is less than 10 in
(25 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If the system detects a
stationary or receding object farther than
10 in (25 cm) from the corners of the
bumper, the tone sounds for only three
seconds. Once the system detects an
object approaching, the warning sounds
again.