Hill Descent Control

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup, 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2012 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hill descent control uses the ABS pump motor and HCU to provide vehicle speed control while descending a downhill grade, information from the Restraints Control Module (RCM) to determine whether or not the vehicle is on a downhill grade and wheel speed sensor information to determine vehicle speed. During a hill descent while the hill descent control system is activated, the driver sets vehicle speed through the use of the accelerator and brake pedals. Once the desired speed has been set, the system maintains that speed until: the vehicle is no longer on a downhill grade, the driver presses the switch again, vehicle speed exceeds 31 km/h (20 mph) or the system is disabled for cooling.

If the hill descent control system is overheated the message HILL CNTRL SYSTEM COOLING is displayed in the message center. Anytime the hill descent control system shuts down while active the message DRIVER RESUME CONTROL is displayed In the message center.