Button between fordfocus ghia 16v handbreak and shift stick

dbayoxy

Hello to the gurus here

It's unfortunate that attachments cannot be posted. I own a ford focus ghia 16v Zetec manual transmission car.

There's this button somehow in between the handbreak and the gearshift. It has a circle symbol with six dots inside it. I'm not sure of what it does. However, if I pressed it, it lights up similar symbol on the dashboard.
This symbol is precisely in between the right pointer indicator and the battery indicator on the dashboard. Since I do not know it purpose, I safely don't bother with it.

Recently when I'm driving, the same symbol on the dashboard shows yellow and keeps blinking. I have search google just to find the meaning of this symbol but it's to no avail. Now that it keeps blinking yellow intermittently on the dashboard when I'm driving, I assume there is a problem but I don't want to go visit a mechanic without having a knowledge of the problem.

If there is anyone with similar ford focus with this button, I'll appreciate your help.

facade

Could you squint at the symbol through half closed eyes and it look like a wheel that is throwing up gravel on one side?

Traction control.
The switch defeats it and allows the wheels to spin ineffectually if you have a lead foot (lamp steady on)
In normal use it cuts the engine power to give the wheels a chance to grip on greasy wet surfaces (lamp flickers)

Don't mess with it unless your name is Clarkson

dacouch

facade wrote: »

could you squint at the symbol through half closed eyes and it look like a wheel that is throwing up gravel on one side?

Traction control.
The switch defeats it and allows the wheels to spin ineffectually if you have a lead foot (lamp steady on)
in normal use it cuts the engine power to give the wheels a chance to grip on greasy wet surfaces (lamp flickers)

don't mess with it unless your name is clarkson

power.....

dbayoxy

facade wrote: »

Could you squint at the symbol through half closed eyes and it look like a wheel that is throwing up gravel on one side?

Traction control.
The switch defeats it and allows the wheels to spin ineffectually if you have a lead foot (lamp steady on)
In normal use it cuts the engine power to give the wheels a chance to grip on greasy wet surfaces (lamp flickers)

Don't mess with it unless your name is Clarkson

Should I press it down or what?

DUTR

dbayoxy wrote: »

Should I press it down or what?

Only at times when will spin is required like when you are stuck in snow.

facade

dbayoxy wrote: »

Recently when I'm driving, the same symbol on the dashboard shows yellow and keeps blinking. I have search google just to find the meaning of this symbol but it's to no avail. Now that it keeps blinking yellow intermittently on the dashboard when I'm driving, I assume there is a problem but I don't want to go visit a mechanic without having a knowledge of the problem.
.

There is no problem: the roads are wet & greasy now and it is working as it should. It will flicker when pulling away hard, especially when turning at the same time. In The Olden Days we used to have to lift up on the accelerator to stop the wheels spinning, now we can just stamp it down into the carpet and only worry about the steering until we get to 30mph
The yellow light should come on with the ignition, and go out when the engine starts. If it is on all the time: the switch is pressed down, unpress it.

The real idea is to drive so that the light never comes on

I try to keep it on all the way down the drive on the way out of work :rotfl:

Car_54

Have you tried looking in the glove-box?

There should be a handbook there which explains everything.

dbayoxy

facade wrote: »

There is no problem: the roads are wet & greasy now and it is working as it should. It will flicker when pulling away hard, especially when turning at the same time. In The Olden Days we used to have to lift up on the accelerator to stop the wheels spinning, now we can just stamp it down into the carpet and only worry about the steering until we get to 30mph
The yellow light should come on with the ignition, and go out when the engine starts. If it is on all the time: the switch is pressed down, unpress it.

The real idea is to drive so that the light never comes on

I try to keep it on all the way down the drive on the way out of work :rotfl:

Very helpful. Thanks a million

facade

Car_54 wrote: »

Have you tried looking in the glove-box?

There should be a handbook there which explains everything.

Ever the optimist

Whenever I buy a car I have to hold my breath in the dealers showroom until I go blue before they rummage in a desk drawer for a handbook

agrinnall

Car_54 wrote: »

Have you tried looking in the glove-box?

There should be a handbook there which explains everything.

And if there isn't, there's always this:

http://www.ford.co.uk/OwnerServices/Owners-Manual

Mankysteve

facade wrote: »

Don't mess with it unless your name is Clarkson

There one time when its appropriate to switch it offbad a layperson, in snowy or icy conditions switching it off will make it easier to get going. Switch it back as soon as possible though.