Electronic Brake Control (EBC)

Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic Brake Control (EBC) system. This system includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM). These systems work together to enhance both vehicle stability and handling under various driving conditions.

Your vehicle may also be equipped with the Rain Brake Support (RBS) system and the Brake Ready Alert (RAB) feature.

Brake Warning Light

The red brake system warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and may remain on for up to four seconds.

If the brake system warning light remains on or illuminates while driving, this indicates that the brake system is not functioning properly and immediate service is required. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have the light repaired as soon as possible.

Brake Assist System (BAS)

BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle's braking capability in emergency braking maneuvers. The system detects an emergency braking situation by sensing the speed and rate of brake pedal application, and then applies optimal pressure to the brakes. This may help reduce stopping distance. BAS supplements the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). Very rapid braking provides the best assistance from BAS. To take advantage of the system, apply constant brake pedal pressure during stopping (do not "pump" the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure if braking is still required. Once the brake pedal is released, BAS is deactivated.

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

EBD controls the distribution of braking force between the front and rear axles by limiting brake pressure to the rear axle. This is done to prevent rear wheel slip, avoid vehicle instability, and prevent the ABS from activating before the front axle.

Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)

ERM anticipates the possibility of wheel lift by monitoring the driver's steering wheel input and vehicle speed. When ERM determines that the rate of change of steering wheel angle and vehicle speed is sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, the appropriate brake is applied and engine power may be reduced to decrease the likelihood of wheel lift. ERM can only reduce the likelihood of wheel lift during sudden maneuvers or evasive driving maneuvers; it cannot prevent wheel lift caused by other factors such as road conditions, leaving the roadway, striking objects, or other vehicles.

NOTE:

ERM is deactivated whenever ESC is in the "Full Off" mode (if equipped). Refer to page Ú 203 for a complete explanation of the available ESC modes.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC improves directional stability and vehicle stability under various driving conditions. ESC corrects oversteer or understeer by applying the brake(s) of the appropriate wheel(s) to counteract these conditions. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path.

• Oversteer is when the vehicle turns more than corresponds to the steering wheel position.
• Understeer is when the vehicle turns less than corresponds to the steering wheel position.

ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the driver's intended path and compares it with the vehicle's actual path of travel. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to help counteract these conditions.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light in the instrument cluster will flash as soon as the ESC system becomes active. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light also flashes when the TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, release the accelerator pedal and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

ESC Operating Modes

Depending on the model and operating mode, the ESC system may have several operating modes.

"ESC On"

This is the normal operating mode of the ESC. Whenever the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this mode. This mode should be used in most driving conditions. Alternative ESC modes should be used only for the special reasons described in the following paragraphs.

"Partial Off"

This mode may be useful if the vehicle is stuck. This mode changes the TCS and ESC activation thresholds, allowing more wheel spin than normally permitted.

To enter the "Partial Off" mode, briefly press the ESC OFF button. The ESC OFF indicator light will illuminate. To turn ESC back on, briefly press the ESC OFF button. The ESC OFF indicator light will turn off.

NOTE:

• For vehicles with multiple partial ESC modes, press and release the button to cycle through the ESC modes. It may take several attempts to return to the "ESC On" mode.
• Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when the ESC system is in the "Partial Off" mode.
• If equipped, "ESC Sport" and "ESC Track" are "Partial Off" ESC modes.

"Full Off" - If Equipped

This mode is intended for off-road use only and must not be used on any public road. In this mode, the TCS and ESC functions are disabled. To enter the "Full Off" mode, press and hold the ESC OFF button for five seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After five seconds, a chime will sound, the ESC OFF indicator light will illuminate, and the message ESC OFF will be displayed in the instrument cluster. To turn ESC back on, briefly press the ESC OFF button.

ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and ESC OFF Indicator Light

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the ignition is in the ON/RUN position. It should turn off when the engine is running. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light remains illuminated while the engine is running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this indicator light continues to illuminate after several ignition cycles and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds above 48 km/h, have the system diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light (located in the instrument cluster) begins to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system activates. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light also flashes when the TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, release the accelerator pedal and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to prevailing road conditions.

The ESC OFF indicator light indicates that the customer has selected the reduced-function Electronic Stability Control (ESC) mode.

NOTE:

• The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and the ESC OFF Indicator Light illuminate briefly each time the ignition is in the ON position.
• Each time the ignition is switched to the ON position, the ESC system will be active, even if it was previously turned off.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive after the maneuver that caused ESC activation.

Hill Start Assist (HSA) System

HSA is designed to reduce rollback after a complete stop on a hill. If the driver releases the brake after stopping on a hill, HSA will continue to hold brake pressure for a short time. If the driver does not apply the brake before this time expires, the system will release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill as normal.

The following conditions must be met for HSA to activate:

• The function must be enabled.
• The vehicle must be stopped.
• The parking brake must be released.
• The driver's door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match the direction of vehicle travel up the slope (i.e., uphill in a forward gear; a vehicle moving up the slope in reverse is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will operate in REVERSE and in all forward gears. The system will not activate if the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, HSA will remain active if the clutch pedal is depressed.

Turning HSA On and Off

This feature can be turned on or off. To change the current setting, do the following:

• To turn off HSA, refer to Ú page 138 for more information.

Towing with HSA

HSA also helps reduce rollback when towing a trailer.

Rain Brake Support (RBS)

RBS can improve braking performance in wet conditions. Periodically, a small brake pressure will be applied to remove water accumulated on the front brake rotors. It operates when the windshield wipers are running at LO or HI speed. When RBS is active, the driver is not notified and no driver intervention is required.

RAB can reduce the time required to reach full braking in an emergency braking situation. It anticipates when an emergency braking situation may occur by monitoring how quickly the driver releases the accelerator. The Electronic Brake Controller (EBC) will prepare the brake system for an emergency stop.

Traction Control System (TCS)

TCS monitors the amount of wheel slip of each driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS system may apply braking force to the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduce engine power to improve acceleration and stability. The TCS feature, Brake Limited Differential (BLD), works similarly to a limited-slip differential and controls wheel slip on the non-driven axle. If one wheel on the drive axle rotates faster than the other, the system brakes the spinning wheel. This allows more engine power to be transferred to the wheel that is not spinning. BLD may remain enabled even when TCS and ESC are in reduced modes.