Hill Start Assist

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hill start assist helps the driver when accelerating from a stop on an incline or side of a hill. Hill start assist supports the driver during drive-off situations on upward gradients when the driver releases the vehicle brake by preventing the vehicle from rolling back in the opposite direction. The system engages automatically. The inputs to the system are:

Road inclination.
The brakes are applied and the vehicle is at a complete stop.
The vehicle transmission information must indicate that the driver intends to drive up the hill.
The parking brake is not engaged.

When the driver releases the brake pedal, hill start assist acts to hold the car stationary for up to 2 seconds giving the driver time to accelerate the vehicle. As the vehicle accelerates, hill start assist gradually reduces the brake pressure to ensure that the vehicle is neither rolling back nor driving off until there is sufficient driving torque to accelerate the vehicle forward. Hill start assist functions when the vehicle is facing downhill if the reverse gear is selected.