Ford Fusion: Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control / Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control - Overview. Description and Operation

Overview

The ABS and stability control systems are comprised of the following subsystems which assist the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle:

• ABS
• Auto hold
• Hill start assist
• EBD
• ESC
• Supplemental braking assist
• Traction control
• Supports adaptive cruise control
• Supports collision avoidance
• Supports electric parking brake

The ABS helps maintain steering control by preventing the wheels from locking up during hard braking. The ABS also includes a brake assist function that provides maximum brake system pressure during a severe braking event.

The auto hold feature uses the brake hydraulic system and the parking brake system to hold the vehicle at a stop once it has reached a complete stop.

The EBD system helps maintain vehicle control by keeping a balanced braking condition between the front and rear wheels.

The ESC system helps prevent skids or lateral slides by modulating brake fluid to the brake calipers and reducing engine torque.

The hill start assist system is designed to assist the driver during hill starts. Using the ABS, the hill start assist system holds the vehicle on an incline for a short time, allowing the driver to release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal without needing to use the parking brake.

The supplemental braking assist system uses the hydraulic pump motor and HCU to provide additional braking assist in the event of severe vacuum loss at the brake booster.

The traction control system helps prevent loss of traction by reducing drive wheel spin during acceleration.

The ABS supports the adaptive cruise control system by applying the brakes as necessary to maintain the distance gap set by the driver. For information on the adaptive cruise control system,
Refer to: Cruise Control (419-03 Cruise Control) .

The ABS supports the collision avoidance system by monitoring information and precharging the brake system to allow the vehicle to stop in the shortest distance possible. For information on the collision avoidance system,
Refer to: Collision Warning and Collision Avoidance System (419-03 Collision Warning and Collision Avoidance System) .

The ABS module is the ECU for the electric parking brake system. For information on the electric parking brake system,
Refer to: Parking Brake (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation) .

Some noise from the system and pulsations in the brake pedal are normal conditions during most ABS and stability control events. Also, longer than normal brake pedal travel may be experienced immediately following an ABS or stability control activation.