[CDN27]

Is it possible on a 2009 Ford Escape to turn off the vehicles Stability Control? The Traction Control is easily turned of by pushing the button located next to the USB ports. I was hoping it would also be possible to completely disable the vehicles Stability Control system.

Besides making the vehicle a tad more fun and easy to play with in the snow this request has practical applications for me. Driving through the snow up to the cottage I often can find it difficult to get a run at a hill when there is a corner leading up to it. While cornering the Stability Control cuts in and won't allow me to power through the corner.

I hate electronic nannys that can't be turned off to give the driver power over their own car.

Anyways, suggestions?

 

[Black Bronco]

Damn, good luck with that........ Buy a truck without it?

I know exactly how you feel, same thing happens to me every time I drive in the snow (I like to go fast)

I know on some sports cars like the new Mustang, the Dodge viper: you can turn everything off.......but a budget crossover? Yikes, I don't think there is a way.

Maybe flash the ecm and kill the feature entirely? Not sure if that's even possible, but good luck. Maybe someone more knowledgeable knows.

Have you considered snow tires? They'd make a world of difference over ATs

 

[Domain]

The short answer is no. The sensors for that system--and I don't just mean ABS wheel speed--are located in a module which has critical safety implications.

I'm quite surprised it's been holding you back... it should only kick in when the vehicle isn't headed in the direction expected through the angle of the steering wheel. As long as you're holding the intended path, you should have had no trouble. It'll (should) let the tires spin all day otherwise with TC off.

 

[tang]

Get snow or all-terrain tires? There is a stage 2 disable which activates by holding down the TCS button until it flashes, and then when you let go, it stays solid. There's a little more freedom to some in that mode, but I find more fun in just having it in the standard 'off' / single push.

 

[CDN27]

Maybe i'll clarify a bit, I am running a new set of Toyo winter tires. The only time I really get annoyed with the system is on this one particular hill. I need to get a healthy run at the hill to avoid getting stuck near the top but at the base of the hill is a bendy bit. When you hit that bit and crank the wheel you get a manageable amount of oversteer followed immediately by a sharp throttle reduction and brake application. This process of "stability control" slows the vehicle down by not allowing me to power through the slide and the snow. Now when I'm saying powering through I'm only talking about 20km/h or so because I'm on a tight road.

Anyways, maybe there's nothing that can be done. I Haven't got stuck on the hill yet but I do get really annoyed when the truck falls on its face reducing its power to the wheels. Obviously everything is designed for the 99%.

Is there any truth to this holding the button thing? Mine doesn't flash and I was lead to believe that it only would if you had Trailer Sway Control?

 

[FRENCHY]

How do you like your Toyo so far?

Are they Open Country G02? Or the new model?

I enjoy mine for 8 winter so far :yes: :thumb:

I recommand to everyone those winter tire.

My father is on is 4th winter eith the Toyo :thumb:

 

[mozz]

Have heard you have to push and hold the button for 5-10 seconds and it totally disables it. Also heard, parking brake on 1 click turns it off. Pickup trucks there also was a mod where you removed a fuse and wired in a switch along with the fuse to disable it.

 

[CDN27]

Maybe more testing is required with this holding the button method? Can anyone chime in who can confirm? I've held the button before, not sure there was any difference.

I'm running a set of Toyo G3-Ice tires, I can't comment on how long they'll last but performance-wise they are superb on both ice and heavy snow. It doesn't hurt that my Escape has AWD but under braking or cornering the grab very well.

 

[tang]

For what it's worth, the Escape is 3500# dry, and extremely nose heavy. Maybe put your heavier family members in the second row? heh

 

[Domain]

Maybe i'll clarify a bit, I am running a new set of Toyo winter tires. The only time I really get annoyed with the system is on this one particular hill. I need to get a healthy run at the hill to avoid getting stuck near the top but at the base of the hill is a bendy bit. When you hit that bit and crank the wheel you get a manageable amount of oversteer followed immediately by a sharp throttle reduction and brake application. This process of "stability control" slows the vehicle down by not allowing me to power through the slide and the snow. Now when I'm saying powering through I'm only talking about 20km/h or so because I'm on a tight road.

Anyways, maybe there's nothing that can be done. I Haven't got stuck on the hill yet but I do get really annoyed when the truck falls on its face reducing its power to the wheels. Obviously everything is designed for the 99%.

Is there any truth to this holding the button thing? Mine doesn't flash and I was lead to believe that it only would if you had Trailer Sway Control?

I never got the stage 2 on my 2011 Escape to work.... I always presumed the same, it was actually for Trailer Sway Control to be disabled.

You might pull the ABS fuse to knock out AdvanceTrac. It does cause a fault that will light up the traction light, but I don't know how much of the system is disabled--full or partial. Of course I wouldn't recommend this, but it may work.

 

[FRENCHY]

I like all those safety feather I have on my E, I feel safe and I am safe,
But I feel you in this particular case,

Before you disable all the feature, give the system and you driver a chance to learn and more try out for the corner uphill.

Domain, you discribe very well on how all those system works :thumb:

 

[kenheidel6666]

Get snow or all-terrain tires? There is a stage 2 disable which activates by holding down the TCS button until it flashes, and then when you let go, it stays solid. There's a little more freedom to some in that mode, but I find more fun in just having it in the standard 'off' / single push.

There is not way of disabling traction control on the 2009 ford escape. Pressing the button actually disengages the RCS and holding the button in till it flashes (what your calling stage 2 TCS disable) actually disables the trailer sway control system... It's clear in the owners manual from page 204 to 209. Refer to these pages. I have litterally tried everything possible to disengage traction control. Its so unfortunate because these suv are extremely capable in all weather and all terrain situations but if you get stuck you might as well just get out and dig your way out because you cannot spin the tires as the traction control system won't allow it!!

 

[bangster]

TCS is disabled when you press the button, but ESC and RSC are not. Momentary pressing the button makes the light stay on solid, and disables the engine and brake components of traction control.

 

[kenheidel6666]

I have tried EVERYTHING and pressing the button quickly and the light illuminating still It does NOT 100% disable it. It give you a bit more freedom as far as power sliding and a bit others but in no way can you disable it to a point where you can freely spin your tires. I use mine off road all the time and the minite I'm stuck and press the button it don't let me spin my tires, I have tried everything including pulling the fuse and talked to ford and I CANNOT be disable to a point of spinning your tires before it takes control. In a 2009 ford escape you CANNOT freely spin the tires when stuck even putting the gas pedal to the floor it just cuts the power to the tires.

 

[bangster]

I haven't tried in a gen 1 or 2 Escape, but my 2012 Fusion AWD I can easily tell when I disable TCS on rainy roads, and the ESC still blinks when I go around a corner swiftly that is bumpy.

 

[kenheidel6666]

I'm ok with all that. My issue is whether I'm stuck in the deep snow or mud or whatever, it will NOT turn off (no matter what I do) enough to let me spins my tires. They will just start to spin and the TCS takes over and that's whether I click it quickly so it illuminates or hold it till it blinks. I don't know why for ford designed the 2009 TCS system like this. But it is the only yr with no total TCS turn off option and I have talked to ford corporate and the 09 has no total OFF TCS.