Ford Explorer Quiz
Brakes

Hill Start Assist

In this manual: Brakes
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
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The system makes it easier to drive 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 a slope for two to three seconds after you release the brake pedal. This gives you time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. The system automatically releases the brakes once the engine develops enough torque to prevent your vehicle from rolling back down the slope. This is an advantage when starting on a slope, for example, a parking garage ramp, a traffic light, or when reversing uphill into a parking space.

The system activates on any slope that causes your vehicle to roll.

Using Hill Start Assist

  1. Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Keep the brake pedal pressed and shift into first gear when going uphill, or into reverse (R) when going downhill backwards.
  2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle is on a slope, the system activates automatically.
  3. When you release the brake pedal, the vehicle remains on the slope without rolling for approximately two to three seconds. This hold time is automatically extended if you are in the process of starting off.
  4. Drive away normally. The system releases the brakes automatically.

Switching the System On and Off

Vehicles with manual transmission

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

Vehicles with automatic transmission

You cannot turn the system on or off. The system turns on automatically when the ignition is switched on.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.