Hello All, new to this forum and I'm looking forward to some good information and conversation. I have a 2011 F250 4 wheel drive with the 6.2 gasser. I have had it since the first of November and have developed a problem with it that I cannot seem to fix. From time to time when I put the truck in drive there is a resistance coming from what I thought was a sticking caliper on the front brakes. A little push on the gas pedal and whatever is holding the truck back releases and all seems fine. It doesn't do this all of the time, just here and there. It doesn't seem to be the emergency brake, it does it even when the brake is not activated. I have replaced both front calipers and both front brake lines and it is still doing it. The only thing left is to replace the rear calipers. Am I missing something here? There is no pulling to the left or right and no hot brake smell at all. I am completely stumped so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

That is the hill start assist feature. It is not a problem. from page 165 of the 2015 Owner's manual.

HILL START ASSIST

WARNINGS

The system does not replace the parking brake. When you leave your vehicle, always apply the parking brake and put the transmission in park (P).

WARNINGS
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You must remain in your vehicle once you have activated the system.

During all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system and intervening, if required. If the engine is revved excessively, or if a malfunction is detected, the system will be deactivated.

The system makes it easier to pull away when your vehicle is on a slope without the need to use the parking brake.
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When the system is active, your vehicle will remain stationary on the slope for two to three seconds after you release the brake pedal. This allows you time to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal. The brakes are released automatically once the engine has developed sufficient drive to prevent your vehicle from rolling down the slope. This is an advantage when pulling away on a slope, (for example from a car park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill into a parking space). The system will activate automatically on any slope that will cause significant vehicle rollback.

Using Hill Start Assist

1. Press the brake pedal to bring your vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle is on a slope, the system will activate automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, your vehicle will remain on the slope without rolling away for about two or three seconds. This hold time will automatically be extended if you are in the process of driving off.

4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will release automatically.

 

Thanks for the help. My truck is a 2011 and if it has this feature I cannot find it in my manual. I may go take it for a drive and test it out.

 

 

Thanks guys. So I am assuming that you have all experienced how weird this feels when you put the truck in drive and it feels like the brake is set and then breaks free when you hit the gas pedal? I'm really hoping that is what is going on with mine. It doesn't do it all of the time, just here and there. I will be paying more attention in the next few days to see if mine will release after a few seconds without hitting the gas.

 

By the way, the previous owner put a level kit on the truck which I think dropped the rear of the truck by about 2 inches. Any chance this would cause the hill assist to engage more frequently than normal?

 

no...the lift does not affect or cause the feeling.

Check page 291 of your owner's smanual

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../11f23og4e.pdf

owner's manual you can download

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account...rd&model=F-350