2004 Ford Focus Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 114

Driving TRACTION CONTROLி (IF EQUIPPED) Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control௢ system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle, especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use of available traction in these conditions. During Traction Control௢ operation, the traction control active light will illuminate, 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 and should be no reason for concern. At speeds below 85 km/h (53 mph), both the engine and the brake system will be used to control wheel spin; at speeds above 85 km/h (53 mph), only engine torque reduction is used. When the Traction Control௢ system is switched off, the braking system will still be used to control wheel spin at speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph). The Traction Control௢ switch is located on the center console, by the gearshift lever. The Traction Control௢ system will automatically turn on every time the ignition is turned off and on. If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction Control௢ system off by pressing the switch. This may allow excess wheel spin to "dig" the vehicle out and enable a successful "rocking" maneuver. If you want to turn off the Traction Control௢ system be aware that, for safety reasons, the switch must be pressed and held for at least one second before the system is turned off. If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will illuminate, the Traction Control௢ button will not turn the system on or off and your vehicle should be serviced. 114 2004 Focus (foc) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)