Ford Taurus X (2009 year). Manual — part 64

Brake Assist

The Brake Assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and uses the
ABS system to achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake
application is detected, the system will remain activated as long as the
brake pedal is depressed or ABS is engaged. The system is deactivated
by either releasing the brake pedal or coming to a complete stop. When
the system activates, noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal
pulsation may be observed; this is normal.

ABS warning lamp

The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS is disabled due to a malfunction and needs to be serviced.

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.

Parking brake

Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.

The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned on) until the
parking brake is released.

ABS

P

!

BRAKE

P

!

BRAKE

Driving

258

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).

The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.

Push the parking brake pedal
downward again to release the
parking brake. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the
brakes to wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.

Note: If the vehicle is driven with
the parking brake applied, a chime
will sound.

ADVANCETRAC

姞 STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM

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 AdvanceTrac

威 system. In addition, installing any stereo

loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac

威

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 Advance Trac sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac

威 system could lead to

an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.

Driving

259

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 AdvanceTrac

威 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 AdvanceTrac

威 system activates, SLOW DOWN.

WARNING: If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTrac

威 system, the ⬙sliding car⬙ icon

will illuminate

steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac

威 system is not manually disabled

(push the AdvanceTrac

威 “Off “ button located on the center of the

instrument panel). If the

⬙sliding car⬙ icon

still illuminates steadily,

have the system service by an authorized dealer immediately.
Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTrac

威 disabled could lead to an

increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.

The AdvanceTrac

威 system 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

The AdvanceTrac

威 system automatically enables each time the engine is

started. All features of the AdvanceTrac

威 system (TCS and ESC) are

active and monitor the vehicle from start-up. However, the system will
only intervene if the driving situation requires it.

The AdvanceTrac

威 system includes

an AdvanceTrac

威 ⬙Off⬙ button on

the center of the instrument panel,
and a “sliding car” icon

in the

instrument cluster. The “sliding car”
icon

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

Driving

260

AdvanceTrac

威 system to operate. If the “sliding car” icon

illuminates

steadily, verify that the AdvanceTrac

威 system is not manually disabled by

pressing the AdvanceTrac

威 ⬙Off⬙ button located on the center stack of

the instrument panel. If the “sliding car” icon

remains steadily

illuminated, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. If equipped with a message center, the vehicle will also
indicate a failure with the AdvanceTrac

威 system.

When AdvanceTrac

威 performs 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 AdvanceTrac

威 you may experience

the following:
• A slight deceleration of the vehicle
• The “sliding car”

indicator 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 “sliding car” icon

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

Driving

261