ACC Operation

NOTE: For a complete illustration of the intelligent ACC control indicators and graphic displays, refer to the Owner's Literature.

NOTE: For a complete illustration of the active drive assist control indicators and graphic displays, refer to the Owner's Literature.

NOTE: There are numerous active drive assist warnings which need to be reviewed and followed, refer to the Owner's Literature.

Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Intelligent ACC has several features that the vehicle is equipped with, such as Lane centering, stop and go, speed sign recognition with navigation, and highway assist that contains active drive assist. These features may or may not be available based on vehicle options and content.

Intelligent ACC with speed sign recognition has a number of speed warning levels that can be programmed. When this mode is selected, a bracket appears around the set speed and the detected speed limit sign in the Information and Entertainment Display Unit. The system is designed to set the vehicle speed to the speed limit detected by the speed sign recognition system before the vehicle passes the speed limit sign. Speed sign recognition uses a camera behind the interior mirror to detect speed signs.

Intelligent ACC combines speed sign recognition with ACC to adjust the cruise set speed to the speed limit detected by the speed sign recognition system. As the system detects new speed signs, the set speed updates.

Speed Sign Recognition

Speed sign recognition detects speed limit signs and informs the driver of the current speed limit. Detected speed signs appear in the Information and Entertainment Display Unit.

Vehicles equipped with speed sign recognition with navigation, stored speed sign data may influence the indicated speed limit value.

Speed sign recognition detects speed limit signs to inform you of the current speed limit. Detected speed signs appear in the Information and Entertainment Display Unit.

Speed sign recognition may not operate correctly due to:

Outdated map data from navigation.
Incorrect recognition of speed limits by the sensor of signs on parallel roads or exit ramps.
Missed recognition of faded, dirty, or distorted signs.

To turn on and off the speed sign recognition speed warning and adjust the level tolerance of the speed sign recognition follow the on screen prompts from the Information and Entertainment Display Unit.

For additional speed sign recognition information messages, and Information and Entertainment Display Unit settings, refer to Owner's Literature.

For deceleration control the CCM commands the ABS module, which controls the brakes, to automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle and maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front.

Intelligent ACC equipped with speed sign recognition working with the speed limit information provided by the navigation map data could be inaccurate or out of date.

Gap Setting

The ACC gap setting function operates normally when the Intelligent ACC system functions. The ACC gap setting automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a set distance gap from the front of the vehicle and the vehicle in the same path of travel. When the ACC system is on and is following a vehicle or a vehicle enters the same driving lane, a follow vehicle graphic is displayed in the message center.

With gap setting when a vehicle ahead enters the same lane or a slower vehicle is ahead in the same lane, the vehicle speed adjusts automatically to maintain a preset distance gap. Four horizontal bars with preset graph settings are displayed in the message center. Pressing up (decrease) or down (increase) on the steering wheel cruise control gap switch increases or decreases the distance from the vehicle ahead. If all of the bars are illuminated, this is the longest gap setting. If only one bar is illuminated, that is the shortest gap setting.

Vehicle maintains the distance gap to the vehicle ahead until:

Vehicle ahead accelerates to a speed above the set speed.
Vehicle ahead moves out of the lane or out of view.
Vehicle speed falls below 20 kmh (12 mph).
New gap distance is set.

After each ignition cycle, the previous gap setting is remembered and the system is set to that gap setting.

The distance gap is overridden by pressing the accelerator pedal. The graphic or icon representing follow vehicle is not displayed in the message center and the green indicator illuminates. When the accelerator pedal is released, the ACC system returns to normal operation and the vehicle speed decreases to the set speed or a lower speed if following a vehicle ahead.

The gap distance increases when the tow/haul mode is selected compared to the gap distance when tow/haul mode is off.

Intelligent Speed Limiter

The intelligent speed limiter feature (if equipped) allows the diver to set a desired speed that the vehicle cannot exceed during normal driving conditions along with using the current speed limit detected by the traffic sign recognition system to set as a temporary speed limit.

This feature works in combination with the camera-based traffic sign recognition system and the navigation system data (if installed). When the feature is activated, the intelligent speed limiter detects the speed limit and limits the vehicle speed accordingly. An implicit speed limit also applies on freeways after a cancellation sign and the system automatically adopts this limit based on navigation system data if a navigation system installed. If there is no navigation system installed, the speed limiter is interrupted and thus the speed is no longer limited. The speed limit can be exceeded at any time by accelerating strongly.

The speed limit can be overridden without pressing the steering wheel switch. This is done by pressing the accelerator pedal to 90% of travel. The speed limit automatically resumes when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle slows down to below the set speed limit. If the system is not overridden and the set speed limit is exceeded, an audible chime sounds after 20 seconds.

This feature operates exclusive of the cruise control and is not connected to the brakes. Applying the brake pedal does not override or deactivate the intelligent speed limiter feature.

Stop and Go

ACC with the stop and go feature uses the radar and camera sensors to maintain a set gap between the vehicle being driven and the vehicle that is being followed. Stop and go is set to follow the vehicle directly in front of the vehicle being driven and adjust the set speed. If the vehicle that is being followed comes to a complete stop, the vehicle that is being driven also comes to a complete stop. ACC with the stop and go feature uses the radar and camera sensors to maintain a set gap between the vehicle being driven and the vehicle that is being followed. Stop and go is set to follow the vehicle directly in front of the vehicle being driven and adjust the set speed. If the vehicle that is being followed comes to a complete stop, the vehicle that is being driven also comes to a complete stop.

Steering Wheel Switch Function

The ACC steering wheel mounted switches are momentary contact switches that toggle up and down for the cruise control switch state. Pressing and releasing the steering wheel cruise control ON or OFF switch turns the cruise control system on. Pressing up SET+ and releasing the set switch sets the vehicle's speed and stores the set speed in memory. The adaptive cruise control indicator illuminates and the message center displays the set speed and gap setting graphic.

There are two ways to change the set speed. The first way is to accelerate or brake to the desired speed and press and release the SET cruise control switch until the desired set speed is shown on the message center. The second way is by tapping the SET+ or the SET- switch while in the set mode, increasing or decreasing the displayed set speed by 1.6 kmh (1 mph) per tap. If the respective switch is pressed and held, the displayed set speed continues to increase or decrease until the switch is released. The ACC system may apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down to the new set speed. The set speed displays continuously in the message center while the ACC system is active.

Pressing and releasing the OFF switch or switching the ignition to OFF, turns the ACC system off. The ACC set speed memory is erased.

Applying the brake pedal or pressing the CNCL switch puts the ACC system in standby mode and the last set speed is displayed in the message center with a strike through. Pressing the RES switch when the ACC system is in standby mode causes the vehicle to accelerate to the last set speed. The set speed continuously displays in the message center while the ACC system is active. The RES switch does not function if the OFF switch is pressed, the ignition is cycled OFF or if the current vehicle speed is below the minimum operational speed.

The ACC system has the capability for the driver to change from ACC to standard cruise control. The LH 5-way steering wheel switch is used to switch from the ACC system to standard cruise control system within the message center. For information on selecting the standard cruise control in the message center, refer to Owner's Literature. Once the driver has selected the standard cruise control in the message center, the ACC indicator is replaced by the standard cruise control indicator. The vehicle no longer responds to lead vehicles or automatic braking.

Lane Centering

The ACC with the lane centering system uses radar and camera sensors to assist in keeping the vehicle within the lane by applying a continuous assistance steering torque input toward the center of the lane. When the system is active in the alert mode and the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane, the system provides an alert by vibrating the steering wheel. In aid mode, the system provides steering assistance by counter steering the vehicle back into the lane. Refer to the Owner's Literature for additional information.

Lane centering feature uses radar and camera sensors to help keep the vehicle in the center of the lane on highways by applying continuous assistance steering torque.

The IPC message center indicates status of lane centering.

Gray indicates the system is on but inactive.
Green indicates the system is active and applying steering torque assistance input to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane.
Amber with an audible tone and then gray indicates a system automatic cancellation.

Lane centering activates when all the following requirements occur:

Hands on the steering wheel at all times.
ACC with stop and go on.
Lane centering assist is enabled in information and entertainment unit display screen.
System detects both lane markings. If the system does not detect valid lane markings, the system stays inactive until valid markings are available.

Lane centering may not operate correctly if any of the following conditions exist:

Vehicle is not centered in the lane.
Lane is too narrow or wide.
System does not detect at least any marking or when lanes merge or split.
Limited steering torque input is applied.
Driving area is under construction or new infrastructure.
Modifications to the steering system made.
Spare tire in use.
High wind conditions.

Lane centering automatic cancellation happens when:

Lane is too narrow or wide.
System cannot detect valid lane markings.
Lane markings cross over one another.

For more lane centering information, Refer to: Lane Keeping System - System Operation and Component Description .

Active Drive Assist

Active drive assist also known as highway assist when allowed to go active on certain highways keeps the vehicle centered moving down the lane and monitoring the vehicles exact location from side to side in the lane following a desired path when using ACC.

Active drive assist or highway assist is built upon ACC with stop and go (ACC S) with Lane Centering Assist (LCA). Combining longitudinal support with continuous steering support.

Active drive assist uses cameras to monitor your vehicle position within a lane and applies steering support to keep your vehicle centered in the lane.

When active, active drive assist uses a driver facing camera and infrared lighting to monitor eyes and head position to detect if the driver is distracted. If the system determines the driver is distracted, it alerts the driver to return the drivers eyes to the road. If the system monitors the driver inattentiveness has not changed after a few moments the system returns full control to the driver and not allows the system reengaging per this key cycle. For more information regarding the interior monitor system, Refer to: Interior Camera System - System Operation and Component Description .

Active Drive Assist with Navigation (if equipped)

Active drive assist or highway assist works with navigation to collect special map information to the active drive assist (ADA) system module from Ford Cloud Services recording road segments and classifying them blue zone or red zone. The map service is capable of maintaining (storing and updating) the map service. It also is capable of delivering map database information to the advanced driver assist system module, for use by the advanced driver assist system feature. The blue zone (edge): portions of limited access freeways deemed reasonable for hands-off driving. The red zone (edge): roadway, surrounding and including portions of limited access freeways which are not deemed reasonable for hands-off driving.

Hands-free mode is enabled by the active drive assist system when the vehicle is in a blue zone, and all other preconditions are met.

Active drive assist uses a driver status monitor camera and a LH and RH driver status monitor LED to continually monitor driver alertness. For additional camera information, Refer to: Interior Camera System - System Operation and Component Description .

Active drive assist uses cameras to monitor your vehicle position within a lane and applies steering support to keep the vehicle centered in the lane.

Active drive assist only activates when all of the following occur:

Active drive assist is enabled in the information and entertainment unit display screen.
Adaptive cruise control is on.
System detects both lane markings.
Hands are on the steering wheel.
Eyes are on the road.

Any of the following conditions could result in active drive assist not operating correctly:

Vehicle is not centered in the lane.
Lane is too narrow or too wide.
System does not detect at least one lane marking or when lanes merge or split.
Limited steering torque input is applied.
Driving area is under construction or new infrastructure.
Modifications to the steering system are made.
Spare tire is in use.

Switching active drive assist ON:

The controls are on the steering wheel.
Using the ACC and lateral support buttons, ensure both systems are active. Active drive assist activates.

Switching active drive assist OFF:

Press either the lateral support or ACC button when system is in standby mode.
Active drive assist turns off through each ignition cycle.

For additional information on active drive assist alerts, refer to Owner's Literature.