Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Traction Control

I just rented an '08 Fusion with the monster V6 over the weekend, had fun, and noticed it did not have traction control, because the front wheels spun easily with that 240 hp V6 providing the sheer fun. Michelin Primacy MXVx tires are known to be sticky, so spinning those wheels meant I had plenty of power. Now I want a Fusion SEL for Christmas.....

Replies to this message:

akirby (Dec 03, 2008 10:52 am)

#14 of 21 Re: Traction control with the AWD [coldcranker] by akirby

Dec 03, 2008 (10:52 am)

Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 03, 2008 10:26 am)

The 2006-2009 3.0L V6 is only 221 hp, not 240. 240+ is for the 2010 3.0L models.

But yes - it's plenty of power.

#15 of 21 Re: Traction control with the AWD [fredvp] by threads

Dec 28, 2008 (2:46 am)

Replying to: fredvp (Jun 22, 2008 9:38 am)

From the Ford's Workshop Manuals for the 2007 Fusion/Milan/MKZ:

Traction Control System � All Wheel Drive (AWD)

The ABS module [ The 4WD control module also provides the brake system with its current clutch duty cycle and whether or not the brake system may take command of the clutch duty cycle ] communicates with the powertrain control module (PCM) to assist with traction control. When the drive wheels lose traction and begin to spin, with vehicle speed under 100 km/h (62 mph), the ABS module requests the PCM to reduce engine torque while simultaneously applying and releasing the appropriate brake caliper(s) to maintain traction. The PCM accomplishes this by 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. After the vehicle speed exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph), the traction control is accomplished only through the PCM torque control. The traction control system can be disabled by pressing the traction control switch and is indicated by the traction control light in the instrument cluster. The traction control system will reset and return to normal operation when the ignition switch is cycled, or when the traction control switch is pressed and released a second time during the same ignition cycle.

Replies to this message:

explorerx4 (Dec 12, 2009 4:37 pm)
- koho955 (Dec 13, 2009 3:45 pm)

#16 of 21 Maybe a year later, but... by acdii

Dec 10, 2009 (7:26 am)

I have plenty of experience with Traction Controlled cars. The WORST is the Prius, it doesn't reduce power, it turns it OFF! Breaking TC has its drawbacks big time as well, especially if you cant disable it. We had a 2000 Grand Marquis with TC, and got it stuck, it would not apply power to either wheel once they started to slip because the brakes were overriding the power. I had to pull the fuse to disable it, and only then was I able to get the car unstuck. Another bad situation that braking TC can cause is if you start to slip while at speed during a snow storm, it can actually put you into a spin if activated.

Now the reason I am posting. I have the 2010 Fusion Sport, not the AWD version, the FWD version, and we just had a major snow storm here, at least 2" fell in under an hour from the time I got in my car to the time I got home, and the traction control on this car is great, it reduces power, not cuts it, and it applies braking as needed. The car comes stock with goodyear tires which have not had good reviews, and I was skeptical that they would have any traction in snow, but they actually have very good traction. The roads this morning were ice, not just icy, but layers of ice, and when the tires couldnt bite, the TC pulled it through with hardly any effort. The Ford system on the Fusion to me so far has been the best TC system I have had on a car, much better than what Toyota has.

Replies to this message:

jeffyscott (Dec 10, 2009 8:30 am)
- stephen987 (Dec 10, 2009 9:02 am)
- bdyment (Dec 11, 2009 5:53 am)

#17 of 21 Re: Maybe a year later, but... [acdii] by jeffyscott

Dec 10, 2009 (8:30 am)

Replying to: acdii (Dec 10, 2009 7:26 am)

Does Ford have a button to turn TC off? Both of our cars have that (a VW and a Mazda).

Replies to this message:

stephen987 (Dec 10, 2009 9:02 am)
bdyment (Dec 11, 2009 5:53 am)

#18 of 21 Re: Maybe a year later, but... [jeffyscott] by stephen987

Dec 10, 2009 (9:02 am)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Dec 10, 2009 8:30 am)

According to post #15 above, it does. Don't know if that changed since 2007 though.

#19 of 21 Re: Maybe a year later, but... [jeffyscott] by bdyment

Dec 11, 2009 (5:53 am)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Dec 10, 2009 8:30 am)

My 2009 V6 Escape AWD has an off button for the TC.

#20 of 21 Re: Traction control with the AWD [threads] by explorerx4

Dec 12, 2009 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: threads (Dec 28, 2008 2:46 am)

also a year later, that explains a lot about how i feel my fusion awd reacts to slippery conditions. i have learned you just keep the steering wheel pointed where you want to go and let the car make the corrections.

Replies to this message:

koho955 (Dec 13, 2009 3:45 pm)

#21 of 21 Re: Traction control with the AWD [explorerx4] by koho955

Dec 13, 2009 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Dec 12, 2009 4:37 pm)

With traction control and anti-lock brakes...remember to keep steering in the direction you want to go. It's not like in the old days when you had to pump your brakes and steer straight ahead.

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