Ford 2011 Fusion Hybrid Owner's Manual page 223

Driving
The engine traction control and brake traction control systems may be
deactivated in certain situations. See the Switching off AdvanceTrac
section below.
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 ESC, which include but
are not limited to:
• Taking a turn too fast
• 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
Switching off AdvanceTrac
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTrac system may be
beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
To switch off the traction control
system, press the stability control
switch. Full features of the
AdvanceTrac system can be
restored by pressing the stability control switch again or by turning off
and restarting the engine.
When the traction control system is
off, the stability control off light will
illuminate steadily. Pressing the
stability control switch again will
OFF
turn off the stability control off
light.
223
2011 Fusion Hybrid (hfv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)