2001 Lincoln Town Car Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 133

Driving TRACTION CONTROLி For Traction Control௢ warning lights refer to Warning Lights in the Instrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Control௢ system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces. The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS). Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the Traction Control௢ portion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The rear wheels "search" for optimum traction several times a second and adjustments are made accordingly. The Traction Control௢ system will allow your vehicle to make better use of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice covered roads. During Traction Control௢ operation you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not "rev-up" when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior. If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction Control௢ system off. This may allow excess wheel spin to "dig" the vehicle out and enable a successful "rocking" maneuver. Traction control switch The traction control switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel. The traction control system defaults to ON when the ignition key is turned from OFF to RUN. 133