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S-MAX Intelligent Protection System (IPS)
Safety and security – designed for peace of mind
The reassurance you feel when driving an the S-MAX is based on its active and passive safety features, which combine in a fully comprehensive system. From the collapsible steering column to help prevent injuries, to clever technology which prevents you from rolling backwards during hill starts, the S-MAX has been designed with you and your family’s safety uppermost in mind.
Passive safety
Active safety
EuroNCAP
Security
Intelligent Protection System (IPS)
When the S-MAX earns the maximum 5-starEuro NCAP rating for adult occupant safety, you know this is a car that takes safety seriously. With the latest in driver and occupant protection technologies, the key element in our passive safety package is the IPS. This includes the following advanced systems, ready to spring into action in a fraction of a second:  
  • Airbags for overall protection. These include: driver’s and front passenger’s airbags; front side impact airbags; front and second row side-curtain airbags (deployed from the headlining); and driver’s knee airbag
  • 3-point seat belts with pre-tensioners and retractors on front seats
  • Height-adjustable mounts on front seat belts
  • Seat belt reminder system
  • An advanced collapsible steering column and retracting pedals that collapse away from the driver to reduce injury in case of impact – Pedal Intrusion Prevention System (PIPS)
  • An Advanced Neck Injury Protection System to help the front passenger avoid whiplash
  • A rigid steel safety cage that works with side impact door beams to minimise the impact of a collision
  • Passenger airbag deactivation switch optional, Dealer fitted at extra cost.
  • ISOFIX child seat* attachments on outer two seats in the second row
  • Automatic hazard warning – automatically activated in the event of an accident
     
*Note: A child seat should never be placed in the front passenger seat when the Ford vehicle is equipped with an operational front passenger’s airbag. The safest place for children is properly restrained on the second row seats.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist (TA) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Active safety features
The S-MAX’s active safety features help provide the safest possible environment for you and your passengers. These features include an anti-lock braking system (ABS) to help prevent skidding with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) for more stable braking.
S-MAX subframe mounted suspension
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist (TA) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
ESP with TA monitors the rotation of the wheels, as well as the steering wheel angle, yaw angle and sideways movement. If the sensors detect either the front or rear tyres slipping, the onboard computer modifies the engine power and applies the brakes to individual wheels. This provides an enhanced traction control function by reducing engine torque if the wheels spin when you accelerate. Your ability to pull away on slippery roads or loose surfaces is therefore improved while your driving safety is enhanced.
 
EBA ensures full braking force is available whenever necessary, helping reduce stopping distances in an emergency. And, should you need to brake heavily, the Emergency Brake Warning repeatedly flashes the rear brake lights to alert other drivers.
S-MAX Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
EBA ensures a full braking force is available whenever necessary, helping reduce stopping distances in an emergency. To alert other drivers if you do have to brake heavily, the Emergency Brake Warning repeatedly flashes the rear brake lights.
S-MAX (series/colour)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
HSA prevents you from rolling backwards when making a hill start. After releasing the brake pedal when stationary, the technology keeps the wheels braked, assisting the driver to move away safely.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
TMPS with individual wheel sensors continually checks the tyre pressure, providing accurate pressure data, and alerts you before any loss of pressure becomes an issue.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA)
With ACC you can automatically keep your chosen distance from the car in front. Should the car in front slow down and reduce the gap, your speed drops, too. And when traffic speeds up, you automatically return to cruising speed. Meanwhile, FA monitors your distance to the vehicle in front and if you drive too close, a warning noise and flashing light activate.
NCAP logo
Intelligent protection
The Ford S-MAX’s advanced Intelligent Protection System (IPS) uses a range of sophisticated technologies to keep you protected. All contribute to the Ford S-MAX being awarded a maximum 5-star Adult Occupant Rating in Euro NCAP crash tests – the highest ever rating for a car in this class.
S-MAX in Colarado Red
Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
When you have to leave the S-MAX anywhere, you want to know that it’ll remain safe and secure. That’s why we have incorporated so many security features. The locks are all high-security, anti-burst and shielded with strengthened mountings. And for extra measure, there’s our patented PATS immobiliser, which disables the engine until your uniquely-coded key is put into the ignition, or is recognised by the sensors.
S-MAX in Avalon
Double locking with global open/close
The S-MAX’s double locking key facility means you can remotely close all the electric windows, as well as deadlocking all the doors. So if an intruder gains entry by breaking the windows, they will be unable to unlock the doors from inside. You can activate double locking simply by pressing the 'lock' button on the key fob twice. You can also open all the windows in your S-MAX, by pressing and holding the 'unlock' button. To close them, simply press and hold the 'lock' button again.
S-MAX in Blazer Blue
Power child door locks
At the click of a button, this innovative feature enables you to safely secure your most precious backseat passengers.
S-MAX in Panther Black
Alarm systems
The S-MAX can be equipped with one of the following alarm systems:
 
Thatcham Category 1 alarm with interior sensors and battery back-up sounder
The battery back-up sounder is an extra alarm system that’s armed directly when you lock the vehicle. The sounder has its own battery and will sound an alarm siren even if someone disconnects the vehicle battery or the battery back-up sounder itself.
 
Thatcham Category 1 alarm with interior sensors, battery back-up sounder and tilt sensors