PRINCIPLES 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

Note: If your vehicle is equipped with MyKey®, it is possible to prevent turning the traction control system off. See the MyKey chapter.

In certain situations (for example, stuck in snow or mud), turning the traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin with full engine power. Turn the traction control system off by pressing the stability control button located in the access door under the climate controls on Taurus SHO models, or through the information display on other models.

System indicator lights and messages

WARNING:

If a failure has been detected within the AdvanceTrac® system, the stability control light will illuminate steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac® system was not manually disabled through using the information display control. If the stability control light still illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTrac® disabled could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

  The stability control
light temporarily illuminates on engine start-up and flashes when a driving condition activates the stability system.

The stability control off light
temporarily illuminates on engine start-up and stays on when the system is in sport mode, the traction control system is turned off.

When the traction control system is turned off or on, a message appears in the information display showing system status.