Hill Start Assist; Principle Of Operation; Using Hill Start Assist - Ford FOCUS 2014 Owner's Manual

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The system makes it easier to pull away
when the vehicle is on a slope without the
need to use the parking brake.
When the system is active, the vehicle will
remain stationary on the slope for a short
time after you release the brake pedal.
During this time, you have time to move
your foot from the brake to the accelerator
pedal and pull away. The brakes are
released automatically once the engine
has developed sufficient drive to prevent
the vehicle from rolling down the slope.
This is an advantage when pulling away
on a slope, for example from a car park
ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill
into a parking space.
WARNING
The system does not replace the
parking brake. When you leave the
vehicle, always apply the parking
brake and select first or reverse gear.

USING HILL START ASSIST

The system is activated automatically
when you stop your vehicle on a slope
greater than 3%. The system operates with
the vehicle facing downhill if reverse gear
is selected and with the vehicle facing
uphill if any forward gear is selected.
Vehicles with manual
transmission only
The system can be switched on and off
using the information display. See (page
80).
Activating the system
WARNINGS
You must remain in the vehicle once
you have activated the system.
Focus (CD3) , enPHI, Edition date: 01/2014

Hill Start Assist

required.
shown in the display. See Information
Messages (page 88).
You can activate the system only if the
following conditions have been met:
• The engine is running.
• The system is switched on.
• On vehicles with manual transmission,
the clutch pedal is pressed.
• No failure mode is present.
To activate the system:
1. Press the brake pedal to bring the
vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep
the brake pedal depressed.
2. If the sensors detect that the vehicle is
on a slope the system will be activated
automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the
brake pedal, the vehicle will remain on
the slope without rolling away for a
short time. This hold time will
automatically be extended if you are
in the process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The
brakes will be released automatically.
Deactivating the system
To deactivate the system, perform one of
the following:
133
WARNINGS
At all times you are responsible for
controlling the vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening, if
If a malfunction is detected when the
system is active, the system will be
deactivated and a message will be