FORD 2010 Taurus v.2 - Manual (Page 258)

D (Drive) with Grade Assist
Pressing the transmission control
switch on the side of the gearshift
lever activates Grade Assist.
Grade Assist
• Improves driving experience in
hilly terrain or mountainous areas
by providing additional grade
(engine) braking and extends
lower gear operation on uphill
climbs.
• Provides additional engine
braking through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which
reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal,
brake pedal and vehicle speed).
• Allows the transmission to select
gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the
vehicle inputs mentioned above.
This will increase engine RPM during engine braking.
• The grade assist lamp in the
instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade Assist is designed to provide
optimal gear selection in hilly terrain
or mountainous areas. It is recommended that you return to D (Drive)
on flat terrain to provide the best fuel economy and transmission
function.
To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control switch
again.
• The Grade Assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be
illuminated.
• The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
L (Low)
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle
speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Driving
258
2010 Taurus (500)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)