Get Driving -> AdvanceTrac? Guide for Ford Mustang 2 Door Fifth Generation (2005-2014)

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure

that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic

transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake

warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

ADVANCETRAC姞 STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM

Your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTrac威 system. The

AdvanceTrac威 system provides the following stability enhancement

features for certain driving situations:

• Traction control system (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

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 AdvanceTrac威 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.

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.

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WARNING: If a failure has been detected within the

AdvanceTrac威 system, the stability control light and the stability

control off light will illuminate steadily. If the stability control light and

the stability control off light illuminate steadily, contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the system serviced

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 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

a stability control button on the

center console, a stability control

light and a stability control off light

in the instrument cluster. Both the

stability control light and the

stability control off light in the

instrument cluster will illuminate

temporarily during start-up as part of a normal system self-check. The

stability control light may illuminate (flash) during certain driving

situations which cause the AdvanceTrac威 system to operate. If the

stability control light and the stability control off light illuminate steadily,

contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the system

serviced 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 stability control 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.

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• The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.

Traction control system (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 TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster

will flash.

If the TCS 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, the TCS will use only engine

power reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from

over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain

all features. Anti-lock braking, and ESC are not affected by this condition

and will continue to function during the cool-down period.

The engine traction control and brake traction control system may be

deactivated in certain situations. See the Switching off AdvanceTrac威

section below.

If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road

surface, try switching the TCS off. This may allow excess wheel spin to

“dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful “rocking” maneuver.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional

stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely

or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to

one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine

power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide

laterally.

During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster

will flash.

Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which

include but are not limited to:

• Taking a turn too fast

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• Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle

• Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces

• Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road

• Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice

versa

• Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa

• Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer to Trailer

towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter).

Switching off AdvanceTrac威

If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine

power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTrac威 system may be

beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full

engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.

The AdvanceTrac威 button can be

used to enable unique

AdvanceTrac威 modes.

Full features of the AdvanceTrac威

system can be restored by pressing

the stability control button again or

by turning off and restarting the

engine.

When features of the AdvanceTrac威

system are off, the stability control

off light will illuminate steadily.

Pressing the stability control button

again will turn off the stability

control off light.

In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine traction control and brake traction

control features will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.

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AdvanceTrac威 Features

Control

switch func-

tions

Mode

“Sliding

car off”

icon

Message

Center

Display (if

equipped)

ESC TCS

Default at

start-up

Turns on

during

bulb

check

En-

abled

En-

abled

Control

switch

pressed once

momentarily

Traction con-

trol OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

OFF

En-

abled

Dis-

abled

Control

switch

pressed twice

rapidly,

brakes ap-

plied and no

throttle apply

Sport Mode

(if equipped)

ADVANCE

TRAC

SPORT

MODE

En-

abled

En-

abled

Control

switch

pressed and

held for more

than five sec-

onds, vehicle

speed =

0 mph

(0 km/h),

brakes ap-

plied

Advance-

Trac威 Dis-

abled

ADVANCE

TRAC OFF

Dis-

abled

Dis-

abled

Control

switch

pressed again

after deacti-

vation

Advance-

Trac威 fully

enabled

Off

ADVANCE

TRAC ON

En-

abled

En-

abled

AdvanceTrac威 Sport Mode (if equipped)

The AdvanceTrac威 system provides an available sport mode on some

models. This can be selected utilizing the stability off button as shown in

the table above.

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Sport mode is not intended for use on public roadways as this mode

provides less AdvanceTrac威 system intervention than when the default

ESC and traction control systems are on. Sport mode will allow more

spirited driving while the AdvanceTrac威 system is still enabled.

STEERING

To help prevent damage to the power steering system:

• Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it

stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.

• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering fluid level

(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).

• Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check

for a low power steering fluid level before seeking service by your

authorized dealer.

• Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by a low power

steering fluid level. Check for a low power steering fluid level before

seeking service by your authorized dealer.

• Do not fill the power steering fluid reservoir above the MAX mark on

the reservoir.

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned

off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.

If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:

• An improperly inflated tire

• Uneven tire wear

• Loose or worn suspension components

• Loose or worn steering components

• Improper steering alignment

A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering

seem to wander/pull.

TRACTION-LOK™ AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when

one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the

Traction-Lok™ axle functions like a standard rear axle.

Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a

Traction-Lok™ rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in

effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving

and should not be noticeable to the driver.

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BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK

This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents

the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is

in the on position unless the brake pedal is pressed.

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in

the on position and the brake pedal pressed:

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Using a flat head screwdriver or

similar tool, remove the cap.

3. Locate the access hole at the

front of the area under the cover.

4. Insert the screwdriver or similar

tool into the hole and press and

hold the lever forward while pulling

the gearshift lever out of the P

(Park) position and into the N

(Neutral) position.

5. Reinstall the cap.

6. Start the vehicle.

If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,

it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not

operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside

Emergencies chapter.

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the

brakelamps are working.

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure

the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off

position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

Driving

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Driving -> AdvanceTrac? for Your Ford Mustang 2 Door Fifth Generation (2005-2014)

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