Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 55

4. Drive off in the normal manner. The

brakes will release automatically.

Switching the System On and Off

You can switch this feature on or off if your
vehicle is equipped with a manual
transmission and an information display.
See General Information (page 111). The
system remembers the last setting when
you start your vehicle.

If your vehicle is not equipped with a
manual transmission and an information
display, you cannot turn the system on or
off. When you switch the ignition on, the
system automatically turns on.

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.

Note: For additional information on the
traction and stability control systems. See
Using Stability Control (page 227).

Switching the System Off

When you switch the system off or on, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status.

E166706

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

The switch illuminates when traction
control is off.

When you place your vehicle into
four-wheel drive low mode the traction
control disables. Traction control resumes
full operation when you put your vehicle
back into two-wheel drive mode.

System Indicator Lights and
Messages

E225465

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.

E225466

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 fault occurs in either the stability
control or the traction control system, you
may experience the following conditions:

•

The stability and traction control light
illuminates steadily.

•

The stability control and traction
control systems do not enhance your
vehicle's ability to maintain traction of
the wheels.

•

The Adaptive Steering system (if
equipped) automatically changes the
steering function to a fixed steering
ratio. See Steering (page 256).

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 system applies
higher brake force.

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 225).

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

AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control™ (RSC®)

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

The electronic stability control and roll
stability control portions of the system can
be turned off.

When you shift the transmission into
reverse R, the systems disable.

E130458

Use the traction and stability
control switch on the instrument
panel to switch the systems off

or on.

You can switch the traction control portion
of the system off independently.

If you cannot turn the systems off, see the
MyKey chapter for more information.