Ford C-MAX Hybrid (2018 year). Manual — part 38

WARNINGS

You must remain in your vehicle
when the system turns on. At all
times, you are responsible for

controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required. Failure
to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death.

The system will turn off if a
malfunction is apparent or if you rev
the engine excessively. Failure to

take care may result in the loss of control
of your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death.

The system makes it easier to pull away
when your vehicle is on a slope without the
need to use the parking brake.

When the system is active, your vehicle
remains stationary on the slope for two to
three seconds after you release the brake
pedal. This allows time to move your foot
from the brake to the accelerator pedal.
The system releases the brakes
automatically once the engine has
developed sufficient torque to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down the slope. This
is an advantage when pulling away on a
slope, for example from a car park ramp,
traffic lights or when reversing uphill into
a parking space.

Note: The system only functions when you
bring your vehicle to a complete standstill
in an uphill gear (for example, drive (D)
when facing uphill or reverse (R) when
facing downhill).

Note: There is no warning light to indicate
the system is either on or off.

Using Hill Start Assist

1.

Press the brake pedal to bring your
vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep
the brake pedal pressed.

2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle

is on a slope, the system activates
automatically.

3. When you remove your foot from the

brake pedal, your vehicle remains on
the slope without rolling away for
about two to three seconds. This hold
time automatically extends if you are
in the process of driving off.

4. Drive off in the normal manner. The

system releases the brakes
automatically.

Note: When you remove your foot from the
brake pedal and press the pedal again when
the system is active, you will experience
significantly reduced brake pedal travel. This
is normal.

Switching the System On and Off

Vehicles with Manual Transmission

You can switch this feature on or off in the
information display. The system
remembers the last setting when you start
your vehicle.

Vehicles with Automatic Transmission

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.

Switching the System Off

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

You can switch the system off by either
using the information display controls or
the switch.

Using the Information Display
Controls

You can switch this feature off or on in the
information display. See General
Information (page 92).

Using a Switch

(If Equipped)

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

System Indicator Lights and
Messages

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.

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.

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 156).

Vehicle without stability control
skidding off its intended route.

A

Vehicle with stability control
maintaining control on a slippery
surface.

B

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.

You can switch the traction control system
off or on. See Using Traction Control
(page 156).