Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 41

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.

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.

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 166).

E72903

A

A

A

B

B

B

B

Vehicle without stability control
skidding off its intended route.

A

B

Vehicle with stability control
maintaining control on a slippery
surface.

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.

On SHO models only, you can disable the
stability control system when you press
and hold the stability control button for
more than five seconds with your vehicle
at a stop and your foot on the brake.

You can switch the traction control system
off or on. See Using Traction Control
(page 166).

Stability Control Features

Traction Control

System

Electronic

Stability Control

Icon Status

Mode

Button Func-

tions

Enabled

Enabled

On during bulb

check

Stability and

traction control

fully enabled

Default at start-

up

Disabled

Enabled

On

Traction control

off

Button pressed

momentarily

Enabled

Enabled

On

Sport mode

(SHO with

performance

pack only)

Button pressed

twice; brakes

applied

Disabled

Disabled

On

Stability control

disabled (SHO

with perform-

ance pack only)

Button pressed

and held more

than 5 seconds;

brakes applied;

no throttle

Enabled

Enabled

Off

Stability control

fully enabled

Button pressed

again after

deactivation

The SHO with performance package is
equipped with sport mode. This will allow
you to reduce normal stability control
system intervention and provide a more
spirited driving experience.

To enter sport mode, press the stability
control button twice rapidly with the
brakes applied.

You will see a message appear in the
information display that the system is now
in sport mode.

Note:

Sport mode is not intended to be

used on public roadways.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

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

The system may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb reflection.
Always drive with due care and

attention. Failure to take care may result
in a crash.

Traffic control systems, inclement
weather, air brakes, external motors
and fans may affect the correct

operation of the sensing system.This may
cause reduced performance or false alerts.

The system may not detect small or
moving objects, particularly those
close to the ground.

Note:

If your vehicle is equipped with

MyKey™, the sensing system cannot be
turned off when a MyKey™ is present. See
Principle of Operation (page 51).

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 alerts.

Note:

Certain add-on devices installed

around the bumper or fascia may create
false alerts. For example, large trailer
hitches, bike or surfboard racks, license plate
brackets, bumper covers or any other device
that may block the normal detection zone
of the system. Remove the add-on device
to prevent false alerts.

Note:

When a trailer is connected to your

vehicle, the rear parking aid may detect the
trailer and therefore provide an alert. Disable
the rear parking aid when a trailer is
connected to prevent the alert.

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 88).

If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display. See Information Messages
(page 97).

REAR PARKING AID

(If Equipped)

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 12 in
(30 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If the system detects a
stationary or receding object farther than
12 in (30 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.