Ford Explorer Quiz

Traction Control

In this manual: Traction Control
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
~1min read

Principle of Operation

The traction control system helps prevent drive wheel spin and loss of traction.

If your vehicle begins to slip, the system applies the brakes to individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces engine power at the same time. If the wheels spin during acceleration on a slippery or loose surface, the system reduces engine power to increase traction.

Using Traction Control

The system turns on automatically each time the ignition is switched on.

If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, turning off traction control may be advantageous because it allows the wheels to spin.

Turning the System Off

When the system is turned on or off, a message appears on the information display showing the system status.

You can turn the system off using the switch.

Using the Switch (If Equipped)

Use the traction control switch on the center console next to the switch to turn the system off or on.

Traction control switch.

System Indicators and Messages

Stability and Traction Control indicator:

  • Comes on briefly when the engine is started.
  • Flashes when driving conditions activate either system.

Comes on when a malfunction occurs in either system.

The Stability and Traction Control Off indicator comes on briefly when the engine is started and stays on when the traction control system is turned off.

Test yourself

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