Traction Assist

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ABS module communicates with the PCM to assist with vehicle traction. When the drive wheels lose traction and begin to spin, with vehicle speed under 100 km/h (62 mph), the ABS module detects the difference in wheel speed and requests the PCM to reduce engine torque, while simultaneously commanding the HCU to activate the pump motor and to open and close the appropriate solenoid valves in order to modulate brake fluid pressure to the appropriate brake caliper(s) to slow the wheel(s) and maintain traction. The PCM reduces engine torque with minor incremental timing changes and fewer fuel injector pulses until the ABS module ends the request. The request ends when the driven wheel speed returns to the desired speed. With the vehicle speeds over 100 km/h (62 mph), traction assist is accomplished only through the PCM.