traction control FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2011 2.G Owners Manual

High engine or high motor
electronic coolant temperature:
Illuminates when the engine coolant
or motor electronics coolant temperature is high. The message center
displays HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE / HIGH MOTOR
TEMPERATURE when the engine coolant or motor electronics are
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine, and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. If the light
and message stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms
up, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Continuing to
drive with an overheated engine can cause serious engine damage. This
indicates a problem with the engine or a related component. Refer to
Engine coolant and motor/electronics coolantin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
AdvanceTrac:Flashes
momentarily when the
AdvanceTrac/traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more
information.
AdvanceTracoff:Illuminates solid
when the traction control has been
disabled by the driver. Flashes for
3 seconds and turns solid when
trailer sway is disabled by driver.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on or
begins to flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
OFF
Instrument Cluster
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•Narrower — to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, SUVs and trucks often
will have a higher center of gravity
and a greater difference in center of
gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition.
These differences that make your
vehicle so versatile also make it
handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. The
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
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government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (112) times 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.
Traction AA A B C
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.
WARNING: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.
Temperature A B C
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.
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.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•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 one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction: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: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.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’ maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than
the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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SNOW TIRES AND CABLES
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally, the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit
failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and cables. If you need to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•SAE class S cables should ONLY be used on the front axle for
P235/70R16 tires.
•Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables on your vehicle.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables to prevent vehicle damage.
•Remove the cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use cables
on dry roads.
Consult your authorized dealer for information on other Ford Motor
Company approved methods of traction control.
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Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
ADVANCETRACWITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC)
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem provides the following stability
enhancement features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel spin
and loss of traction
•Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
•Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), which functions to help avoid a
vehicle roll-over
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. 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 AdvanceTracwith RSCsensors. Reducing the effectiveness
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem could lead to an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Driving
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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 AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem 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 AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem, the stability control light will
illuminate steadily. Have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTracwith RSC
disabled could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem automatically enables each time
the engine is started. All features of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
(TCS, ESC, and RSC) are active and monitor the vehicle from start-up.
However, the system will only intervene if the driving situation requires
it.
The AdvanceTracwith RSC
system includes a traction control
off button on the instrument panel
below the climate control, a stability
control “OFF” light and a stability control light in the instrument cluster.
The stability control light and stability control “OFF” light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate temporarily during start-up as part of a
normal system self-check, or during driving if a driving situation causes
the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem to operate. The stability control off
light will illuminate if traction control or trailer sway control are disabled
after pressing the TCS OFF switch. If the stability control light remains
steadily illuminated, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™in theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
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When AdvanceTracwith RSCperforms a normal system self-check,
some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a
rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTracwith RSC, you may
experience the following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control light will flash.
•A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
•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. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction control (TCS)
Traction control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem: engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During traction control events, the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the traction control system is activated excessively in a short period of
time, the braking portion of the system may become temporarily disabled
to allow the brakes to cool down. In this situation, traction control will
use only engine power reduction or transfer to help control the wheels
from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the system will
regain all features. Anti-lock braking, RSC, and ESC are not affected by
this condition and will continue to function during the cool-down period.
The engine traction control and brake traction control system may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theSwitching off traction control
section below.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
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or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During electronic stability control events, the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the electronic stability
control system, which include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
Roll Stability Control (RSC) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. RSCoperates by detecting the
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and by applying the
brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), the
stability control light in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the RSCsystem, which
include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
Switching off traction control
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off the traction control features of the AdvanceTrac
with RSCsystem may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to
spin. This will restore full engine power and will enhance momentum
through the obstacle. To switch off the traction control, press the
traction control off button. Full features of the stability control system
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can be restored by pressing the traction control off button again, or by
turning off and restarting the engine.
If you switch off the traction control, the stability control “OFF” light will
illuminate steadily. Pressing the stability control off button again will turn
off the stability control “OFF” light.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine and brake traction control features
will continue to function; however, ESC and RSCare disabled.
AdvanceTracwith RSCFeatures
Button
functionsStability
control
light
RSC/
ESC/
Traction
controlStability
control
“OFF”Trailer
sway
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabledIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled
Button pressed
momentarilyNot
IlluminatedEnabled
1Illuminated
solidEnabled
Button pressed
again after
deactivationNot
illuminatedEnabledNot
illuminatedEnabled
2
1
When the AdvanceTracbutton is pressed momentarily, traction
control is disabled.
2When the AdvanceTracbutton is pressed and held for more than five
seconds, trailer sway control is disabled.
Trailer sway control (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with trailer sway control (TSC). When
properly equipped, trailer sway control will use the sensors of the
vehicle’s AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem to detect and attempt to
mitigate trailer sway by applying brake force at individual wheels and, if
necessary, by reducing engine power. No driver action is required.
Driving
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