traction control FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 D258 / 1.G User Guide

TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control
system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It
is especially useful on slippery road surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the
electronic elements already present in the anti-lock braking system
(ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Control
portion of the ABS computer. Excess wheel spin is
controlled through engine torque reduction. This is realized via the fully
electronic engine control system. This process is very sensitive to driving
conditions and very fast acting. The wheels “search” for optimum
traction several times a second and adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Control
system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Control
operation the engine will not “rev-up” when
you push further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
If you should become stuck in deep
snow or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the
vehicle out or enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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When driving at slow speeds off-highway under high outside
temperatures, use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Basic operating principles
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control
, it may be beneficial
to disengage the Traction Control
system while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
179

AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If your vehicle is equipped with a 6–speed transmission:When
driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside temperatures,
use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.Do not perform this
operation if your vehicle is equipped with an
electronically-controlled CVT.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, AWD system components or axles are submerged in
water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
182

Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
184

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
F17 30A Rear defroster
F18 10A PCM relay coil, Shifter Brake-Shift
Interlock (BSI), Passive
Anti-Theft System (PATS)
module, Fuel relay coil, Brake
lamps, Center High-Mounted Stop
Lamp (CHMSL)
F19 10A Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS)/Traction control module,
All Wheel Drive (AWD) module,
RSS, Heated seat modules
F20 7.5A Cluster, Climate control
F21 7.5A Restraint Control Module (RCM)
F22 7.5A Electrochromatic mirror, Compass
module
F23 7.5A Wiper relay coil, Blower relay coil,
Cluster logic
F24 7.5A Occupant Classification Sensor
(OCS), Passenger Air bag
Deactivation (PAD)
C1 30A Circuit
breakerDelayed accessory (Front
passenger window, Rear passenger
windows [via window switch],
Window switch illumination,
Backlighting
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
190

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
10 40A* Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
(Motor)
11 30A* Starter
12 30A* Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
relay
13 20A* ABS (Valves)
14 — Not used
15 — Not used
16 15A** Traction Control Module (TCM)
17 20A** Power point (Console)
18 10A** Alternator
19 40A* Logic feed to SJB, SJB solid state
devices
20 — Not used
21 40A* Rear defroster
22 30A* Power seat motors (passenger)
23 30A* Heated seat modules
24 15A** Fog lamps
25 10A** A/C clutch relay, A/C compressor
clutch
26 — Not used
27 — Not used
28 15A** Fuel relay (Fuel pump driver module,
Fuel pump)
29 80A* SJB power, SJB (Circuit breaker,
Fuses 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 15)
30 30A* Driver window motor
31 — Not used
32 — Not used
33 30A* Driver seat motors, Memory module
34 30A* Ignition switch (to SJB)
35 — Not used
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
192

Reverse sensing system ...........176
Roadside assistance ..................185
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................95, 98–102
Safety Canopy ...........................119
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ............95, 98–102
belt minder .............................103
extension assembly ................108
for adults ...........................99–101
for children .....................122–123
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................96
safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and
chime ...............................102–103
Safety seats for children ..........125
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................252
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............95
Seats ............................................88
child safety seats ....................125
front seats .....................88, 90, 92
heated ........................................29
memory seat .......................76, 92
Servicing your vehicle ..............216
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................21
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................139, 141
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................245, 250Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................248, 250
Speed control ..............................50
Starting your vehicle .......165–166,
168
jump starting ..........................194
Steering wheel
controls ......................................53
tilting .........................................44
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................44
Tires ...........................133–134, 138
alignment ................................152
care ..........................................151
changing ..................138–139, 141
checking the pressure ............136
inspecting and inflating .........135
label .........................................150
replacing ..................................138
rotating ....................................153
safety practices .......................152
sidewall information ...............145
snow tires and chains ............154
spare tire .................................139
terminology .............................134
tire grades ...............................134
treadwear ........................133, 151
Towing .......................................161
recreational towing .................164
trailer towing ..........................161
wrecker ....................................199
Traction control ........................171
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
lubricant specifications ..........250
Transmission .............................172
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....172
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
260