Has anyone else had problems with their anti skid system kicking when after installing a leveling kit and bigger tires? I have a 09 FX4 F150, it came with stock 20" rims and tires. I added a 2" leveling kit, in the winter I add my winter tires that I had on my F350. 18" rims. More times than less, my anti skid system locks up the front brakes when I take turns. I have almost been rear ended 3 times because of it. It does also happen when i have the factory size tires also. I hate this anti skid/traction control system with all of my being to begin with. Has anyone else had problems with this happening?

 

This is a couple years old on the subject:

Will Mandatory Stability Control Roll Over the Pickup Truck Aftermarket? - PickupTrucks.com News

Again, from '09, but a Ford reference. No resolution posted:

Larger tire size, effecting trucks computer?? - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

Vans--

Sportsmobileforum.com • View topic - RSC (roll stability control)

You raised the CG, so the computer thinks you are tipping over. You may be able to get a "reflash" or something like that on the computer. See your authorized Ford dealer.....

 

You have to take it to the dealership. They should be able to recalibrate the computer to the closest tire size and reprogram the instrument cluster to compensate for the leveling kit. They'll charge you for it, but it should take care of the issue.

 

Ok, thanks for the info. I did ask the service manager about it, he didn't think the leveling kit would make a big difference, but the tire size may. I guess the system goes by tire rotation also. I HATE this system!!!!!!!!! I also don't think my traction control disengages totally when I press the button and hold it. The system still kicks in and wants to shut down power to the rear. Drives me nuts!!!!

 

Your truck has three main systems; RSC, ESC, and TCS.

TCS is traction control (this will cut engine power to prevent the tires from spinning)
ESC is electronic stability control (this system helps to prevent the truck from sliding sideways/fishtailing by lightly applying the brakes)
RSC is roll stability control (this, obviously, is supposed to prevent the truck from rolling by cutting engine power and applying brakes)


If you just press the button, it disables TCS.

If you press the button and hold it down for 5+ seconds, it disables TCS, RSC, and ESC up to 35mph.

At 35mph, RSC and some ESC re-engage. TCS stays disengaged.

On some vehicles, once you get past 35mph, you can supposedly hold the button for at least 5 more seconds again to completely disable all three again. However, I've never tried that one, nor can I verify whether it's the truth or not.

There should be a section in your owners manual about all this. These systems are federally mandated for safety now, so unfortunately, we're stuck with 'em. That's why it's best to have to truck recalibrated to work properly with these systems, than to mess with trying to disable them. That way, if Ford knows what the consumer wants the system to be able to do, they'll design it to function better in the future.

 

Well, I recognize the pita this is for the op, but afaik, stability control and the graduated driver's license for new teen drivers are about the only things "they" have done that provided meaningful results in terms of lives saved.

Now having said this, you really have to have insomnia to wade through this:

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811545.pdf

They figure 684 lives saved for '09; 620 for '08 & 487 for '07. That starts to add up. Now they say a fatal runs about $1 million per copy, what with property damage, the loss of income, insurance, loss to the family, etc etc. So even if you cut their number in half, you are starting to see some real money here, not to mention hundreds of people still walking about instead of taking the dirt nap.

Good luck in getting yours back to work properly.

 

The real solution would be for Ford to let us actually disable the damn system.

 

I don't really agree with that. While I do feel that one should be able to disable the system, I don't feel that is the solution for everyone. As mentioned above, stability and traction control systems have been pretty effective in making vehicles safer. Probably one of the most effective safety measures implemented in a long time.

Instead, I feel the real problem with it, is that it's in its infancy (at least for full size trucks). Just like with ABS brakes years ago, it's going to take a while for the kinks to really get worked out and for integration to be truly seem-less.

We're already seeing good strides made in the performance car realm. Instead of fixed 'on-or-off' systems, these new systems have variable settings that allows the driver to adjust the system for their needs and skill level. No reason why we can't eventually see similar systems in trucks.

 

im just wondering if his was out of wack from day one.

my 2010 at work is absolutely unnoticable unless you get completely stupid with the throttle. ive had it where i've shut it down before the TC has. And i've never felt it do anything in a turn.

I'm not trying to say that you're a bad driver, but i'm wondering if it was set too sensative from the factory ....

 

The leveling kit/larger tires is the main culprit. It raises the center of gravity and changes the amount of tire rotations. This makes the truck's computer think something really wacky is going on. Therefore, it does what it thinks it needs to in order to compensate.

A completely stock truck or truck with no lift and tires still within the factory maximum is not going to have the same aggressive interference by the system.

 

My 2010 over-reacted stock and after leveling and bigger tires. I actually took it in to the dealership for the issue and they said that everything is normal. Mine kicks in during any turn over uneven surfaces at over 10 mph. It sucks...

Brandon