So, I was tooling down the road the other day (2012 F150 STX 5.0, 47K miles) and the traction warning light comes on, and I get the message on my display that says "service advancetrac". It's only a yellow warning light, so I go on about my business making a note to check my owner's manual next chance I get. I make a stop, do an errand, re-start the truck, and no warning light or message. Have had no further warning for a couple of days since. When I looked in the manual, it implied this is a pretty serious issue and I should have it checked ASAP (which I would have done right away if the light/warning had persisted).


Now, when I leave my parking spot at home, I back up a little grade, then stop and shift from R to D to turn on down the driveway. Sometimes, I admit, I get a little slack about the stop-and-shift, and shift a bit on the fly. In fact, I was conscious of it when I started the trip in question, and thought I cut it a bit close on that shift (meaning I shifted R to D without putting on the brake, just used the moment between the truck going backwards, and it starting to roll forward). Might this little error in shifting without clearly braking the vehicle have set off the advancetrac message? Do I need to taking it in to be checked out, even though I haven't seen the message again?


Any thoughts from you guys with a lot more experience with these things than me?

 

That light has come on a few times on my 2011. But it seems like it comes on when I have the steering wheel turned to full right or left, and keep it there for a few seconds. Haven't seen it in a few months.

 

Hi folks,

If this warning message comes back, I'd recommend having your local Ford Dealership take a look. As always, I'll be here if you need any assistance after your visit to the dealer.

Crystal

 

Will do, Crystal!


As a matter of fact, I was tryin to exit a local dealers service department, the first time the light came on. I just thought the truck was ticked at me.....

 

LOL! Let's hope that isn't the case, maytag906. How many miles are on your truck these days?

Crystal

 

I stopped by my dealer today and talked to the service manager. He said the same--that the one-time appearance was probably a miss-judgment on the part of the truck's computer, but if it comes on again, or comes on and stays on, I should bring it in.

 

That happened to my truck once more than a year ago. The light and message came on during parking lot maneuvers (probably hard-over like mentioned above); when i restarted the truck the light and message were off and its never happened again. I think sometimes if a wheel sensor sends a weird signal, it triggers that message. i would not worry about it unless it comes back (as your dealer said).

 

Just about 39000, give or take a few.

 

Thanks, maytag906. Let me know if that message pops up again. I'm always just a PM away if you need my assistance.

Crystal

 

2013 FX4 14235 miles had my "service advancetrac". light come on went to the dealer not thinking much.next thing they are giving me a rental.they had to replace the rack with power steering pump.no cost to me.all under warrenty

 

I'm glad that the dealer took care of this for you, mackman107; thanks for sharing your results with us. I'd be happy to document your feedback about this experience. Just PM me your full name, best daytime phone number, dealer info, and any specifics you'd like me to include. I'll take it from there.

Crystal

 

I have a 2013 F150 crew, 4wd, ecoboost, last night driving down street, a warning light came on, "stop and put in park" pulled over , engine died at once, put in park and that was it. all dead, dash lights come on and off, alarm honks at times, cannot get out of park, no start, no window power, total failure..
at short intervals dash lights pop on and then off.. help.. cannot find any thing on web to describe this failure..