The Bronco Badlands is suitable for those who enjoy going off the beaten track and driving in challenging terrains. The vehicle’s dashboard contains an array of specialised buttons that allow you to have greater control when off-roading through muddy ground, rocky terrain, gravel and the like. With these controls you can change settings such as wheel spin, suspension travel, traction and other off-road mechanics that allow you to keep the vehicle grounded in those adverse conditions. Whether you’re wheeling up steep hills, driving through thick mud or negotiating rocky terrain, these features will help you and your Ford Bronco Badlands become as experienced as possible.
The more you understand the control of your Ford Bronco Badlands dashboard the better you will be able to handle off-road driving conditions. Even a seasoned off-road driver can benefit from knowing what each of the controls is meant to do, from the body and road conditions that require them to be used, to the best ways to use them, and when to switch them off so that you don’t inadvertently impact your vehicle’s handling. Avoiding road hazards is often just a question of knowing how to use the right combinations of controls in the right time, which can make a real difference between whether or not you can handle the routes ahead of you.
1. Hazard Lights Button
The hazard lights button on the Ford Bronco Badlands dashboard is an important safety feature for both highway driving and off-road adventures. When activated, it switches on the vehicle’s warning lights to alert surrounding drivers and trail companions about unexpected stops, equipment adjustments or potential obstacles. This helps make other road users aware that your vehicle may be stationary or experiencing a situation that requires attention. During off-road driving, you may need to stop on narrow paths or uneven trail sections.
Important Hazard Light Functions:
- Alerts surrounding drivers about stops
- Warns fellow off-road trail companions
- Improves visibility around stationary vehicles
- Helps communicate unexpected driving situations
- Provides quick access during emergencies
By knowing where your hazard lights button is, you can react quickly once you notice the road conditions changing. Driving across a rough off-road trail or using the boat ramp when parking your car at the lake require you to turn on the hazard lights in case of an emergency situation. This simple dashboard button is an important feature to ensure the safety of your car and those around you when you find yourself on the road.
2. Traction Control Button
The traction control button on the Ford Bronco Badlands offers two different operating functions depending on how you press it. A single press toggles the normal traction control setting, allowing some wheel spin when navigating loose surfaces such as sand, mud or gravel. This can help when driving across changing trail conditions where a little wheel movement may be useful. Holding the traction control button down for approximately 10 seconds is described as switching off all traction control features.
Traction Control Functions Explained:
- Single press changes traction settings
- Allows wheel spin on loose surfaces
- Long press disables traction control
- Provides greater manual throttle control
- Useful across challenging off-road terrain
Knowing the difference is an added benefit when getting ready for trickier trails, as normal traction control will still be electronically assisting the driver but full deactivation will remove the computer and provide the driver with the most control. Which option to choose is completely dependent on the terrain and scenario but take heed; turning off traction control will remove electronic aid in managing grip.
3. Front Locking Differential
Featuring the front locking differential control (front locker) helps Ford Bronco Badlands traverse tough trail obstacles. When you activate the front locker button, it locks the two front axle shafts together so that the left and right wheels turn equally regardless of traction. That’s helpful when navigating uneven trails, deep ruts, or even muddy mud when one wheel is in contact with the ground and another is in the air. With an open differential, engine torque goes to the wheel with the least resistance.
Benefits of the Front Locker:
- Locks both front axle shafts
- Keeps front wheels rotating together
- Helps tackle uneven rocky terrain
- Supports traction through deep ruts
- Maintains momentum across slippery surfaces
Whether you’re climbing over a large obstacle or going up a steep hill, the front locking diff can have a big impact if one front tyre has less traction than the other. Using the diff to rotate the wheels at an equal rate of speed will allow the vehicle to maximize the available traction. The Bronco Badlands’ front locker takes some getting used to and knowing where to take advantage of it is key to conquering some serious off-road obstacles.
4. Rear Locking Differential
The Ford Bronco Badlands has another key power-distribution feature in its rear locking differential. Engaging it prevents the rear axle differential from switching power delivery between the two wheels as it normally would when one gets more traction than the other. This can be handy on loose gravel, heavy mud or treacherous trail surfaces where one wheel gets less traction. A normal open differential tends to divvy up the engine torque (twisting force) between the two wheels even if the other has less traction to provide forward momentum.
How the Rear Locker Helps:
- Locks the rear axle differential
- Makes both rear wheels rotate together
- Reduces ineffective wheel spinning
- Supports movement through deep mud
- Helps climb challenging trail inclines
The rear locker may be particularly helpful in gaining traction at steep areas or slippery obstacles where you’ll want to keep enough momentum so you don’t get stuck. With the locker engaged, you won’t want to let a single wheel drive off on its own instead both wheels work together to move the vehicle forward. Knowing how to use it can be a great tool for getting through tough conditions on the trail. Just like a front locker, it’s there to be used when traction is lacking.
5. Sway Bar Disconnect
The unique button is a feature that offers better handling capabilities by disconnecting the Ford Bronco Badlands’ sway bar. By disengaging the anti-sway bar of the suspension via the button on your dashboard, you will gain more front wheel travel and allow for greater suspension independence. This is good to have when traversing rough trails, rocky areas, and deep ruts. If the sway bar on your Bronco is engaged when driving across uneven ground, you can find that one of the front wheels can lift off the ground. Disengaging the anti-sway bar can offer the front wheels better movement, helping both of the front tyres to get more grip on the ground and climb easier over obstacles.
Benefits of Disconnecting the Sway Bar:
- Increases front-wheel suspension articulation
- Allows greater independent wheel movement
- Helps maintain tyre-to-ground contact
- Supports traction across rocky trails
- Improves movement over uneven surfaces
Extra tires on the ground provide additional grip to help you inch your way through challenging off-road conditions. The extra articulation gives your suspension the ability to move up and down with changes in elevation to help your vehicle crawl along rocks, bumps and uneven trail surfaces. The sway bar disconnect is designed to be engaged before hitting the trail. Don’t forget to connect back up again before hitting the pavement on your return from the trail to optimize your on-road setup.
6. Trail Turn Assist
Trail Turn Assist is a specialised feature that is meant to make driving difficult corners and hairpin bends on narrow off-road trails and tracks easier to navigate. If engaged, Trail Turn Assist applies braking to the inside rear wheel of the Ford Bronco Badlands, as this allows the vehicle to pivot more easily around the inside corner. If you’re driving in the woods on a narrow trail, Trail Turn Assist will make completing a turn easier as long as you know how to handle the system. Playing the trail turn assist on higher grip surfaces can also put the rear axle in strain so it’s important to use it where it was made to be used.
Important Trail Turn Assist Details:
- Helps navigate tight trail corners
- Applies braking to inside rear wheel
- Supports sharper low-speed manoeuvres
- Requires suitable off-road conditions
- Available on automatic transmission models
An important note, Trail Turn Assist is only present in automatic models. If you have a seven-speed manual transmission, you won’t find this button on your dash. As a result, the list of dash buttons varies by which transmission the Bronco Badlands is equipped with. Trail Turn Assist can help you stay sharp when you’re following tight trails and tight bends, but don’t use it in every situation. If you use it on a loose surface where it shouldn’t be used, it could cause stresses on your Bronco’s components.
