All-Surface Progress Control (ASPC): The

Your 2026 Jaguar F-PACE includes a button near the parking brake that most owners never touch. It looks inconspicuous, and the manual's explanation might not clarify exactly when to use it. But if you live in Côte-Saint-Luc and face steep icy driveways every January, this button solves a problem you've probably experienced: wheel spin when trying to crawl forward on packed snow or ice.

All-Surface Progress Control (ASPC) acts as a low-speed cruise control for slippery surfaces. It manages throttle and brake inputs automatically, letting you focus entirely on steering while the F-PACE crawls forward at a controlled speed between approximately 3.6 km/h and 30 km/h without spinning the wheels.

Here's how to use it and when it helps.

What ASPC Actually Does

ASPC controls torque delivery to the wheels at speeds between approximately 3.6 km/h and 30 km/h. The system limits how much power reaches the wheels, preventing them from breaking traction on slippery surfaces like ice, snow, mud, or gravel.

When ASPC is active, the F-PACE's all-wheel drive system increases engagement, sending power to all four wheels more consistently than it would during normal driving. The system also modulates the brakes automatically to prevent individual wheels from spinning faster than others.

The result is smooth, controlled forward or reverse movement on surfaces where you'd normally experience wheel spin or loss of traction. You steer. The F-PACE handles speed and traction.

Where the ASPC Button Is Located

Look at the centre console, near the electronic parking brake. The ASPC button sits in this cluster of controls, typically marked with an icon showing a vehicle on an incline with wavy lines beneath it.

The button has an LED indicator that lights up when the system is active. When you press it, you'll see a green ASPC icon appear on your instrument cluster.

How to Activate ASPC: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Select Your Driving Mode (If Equipped) If your F-PACE has Configurable Dynamics, select the appropriate driving mode for the conditions (such as Rain-Ice-Snow mode). This step is optional but helps the system optimize for slippery surfaces.

Step 2: Press the ASPC Button With the F-PACE stationary or moving slowly, press the ASPC button once. The LED on the button will illuminate, and a green ASPC icon will appear on your instrument cluster.

Step 3: Select Your Gear Shift into Drive for forward movement or Reverse for backing up. ASPC works in both directions.

Step 4: Release the Brake Pedal Lift your foot completely off the brake. The F-PACE will begin moving forward or backward at a default low speed within the ASPC range.

Step 5: Adjust Speed Using the Steering Wheel Controls Use the Set+ button on your steering wheel (the same control used for cruise control) to increase the speed. Press Set- to decrease it. You can adjust the speed within the ASPC range of approximately 3.6 km/h to 30 km/h.

The instrument cluster displays your selected speed. The F-PACE maintains this speed automatically, adjusting throttle and braking as needed to keep you moving steadily.

Step 6: Steer Normally Your only job is to steer. The system handles acceleration and maintains your selected speed.

When to Use ASPC in Montreal

ASPC is built for situations where maintaining traction at low speeds is difficult. Here are specific scenarios where it helps in Montreal and surrounding areas.

Steep Icy Driveways in Côte-Saint-Luc

If your driveway slopes upward and gets covered in packed snow or ice after a storm, ASPC prevents the wheels from spinning uselessly when you're trying to climb. The system meters out just enough power to keep the F-PACE crawling upward without breaking traction.

You don't need to feather the throttle carefully or worry about the wheels spinning. Press the button, release the brake, and steer. The F-PACE climbs steadily.

Snow-Covered Parking Lots

Large parking lots in areas like Kirkland or Pointe-Claire often have sections that don't get plowed immediately after snowfall. ASPC helps you navigate through these areas without wheel spin, especially when accelerating from a stop.

Backing Out of Tight Snowy Spaces

Reversing out of a snow-filled parking spot requires precise control. Too much throttle and the wheels spin. Too little and you don't move. ASPC eliminates this balancing act by maintaining a steady reverse speed while you focus on steering around obstacles.

Gravel or Loose Surfaces

ASPC isn't limited to winter use. If you're driving on gravel roads, unpaved cottage driveways, or sandy surfaces, the system prevents wheel spin during low-speed maneuvering.

What Happens When You Exceed 30 km/h

ASPC only works at speeds below 30 km/h. If you accelerate past this speed, the system enters standby mode. The icon on your instrument cluster will change to indicate this.

If you slow back down below 30 km/h, ASPC reactivates automatically and resumes controlling your speed.

How to Turn Off ASPC

Press the ASPC button again. The LED will turn off, and the icon will disappear from your instrument cluster.

You can also turn off ASPC by pressing the accelerator pedal. The system temporarily deactivates when you take manual control of the throttle. Once you release the accelerator, ASPC resumes managing speed.

ASPC and Descent Control

When you press the ASPC button once, the system starts in Descent Control mode. This mode automatically controls your speed when driving downhill on slippery surfaces. The F-PACE uses the brakes to maintain a slow, controlled descent without you needing to touch the brake pedal.

If you want to adjust the speed, press the Set+ or Set- buttons on the steering wheel. This switches ASPC into Full Function mode, where you can set a specific speed for the system to maintain, whether you're going uphill, downhill, or on level ground.

Combining ASPC with Other F-PACE Systems

ASPC works alongside the F-PACE's other traction systems. If your F-PACE is equipped with Adaptive Surface Response (available on P400 and SVR trims), you can enable both systems simultaneously. Adaptive Surface Response adjusts engine output and brake settings for slippery conditions, while ASPC manages low-speed control.

The combination provides maximum traction and control in challenging winter conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pressing the Accelerator While ASPC Is Active If you press the accelerator pedal, ASPC temporarily deactivates. The system assumes you want manual control. Once you release the pedal, ASPC resumes. If you want the system to maintain full control, keep your foot off the accelerator.

Forgetting to Turn ASPC Off After Use ASPC remains active until you turn it off or exceed 80 km/h. If you leave it on and drive normally, you might notice the F-PACE feels sluggish. The system limits torque even when you don't need it to. Remember to press the button again to deactivate it once you're back on clear roads.

Expecting ASPC to Replace Winter Tires ASPC helps manage traction at low speeds, but it doesn't replace the grip provided by proper winter tires. The system works best when your F-PACE is equipped with winter tires rated for Quebec's cold temperatures and snowy conditions.

Why This Feature Exists

Jaguar developed ASPC for situations where precise low-speed control matters more than speed. Think of it as a tool for navigating obstacles, not for getting somewhere quickly.

The system originated from Land Rover's Hill Descent Control, which was designed for off-road driving. Jaguar adapted the concept for luxury SUVs that might encounter challenging surfaces in everyday driving rather than purely off-road situations.

For Montreal drivers, ASPC addresses a specific reality: winter conditions that turn driveways, parking lots, and side streets into traction challenges. The system removes the need to carefully modulate throttle and brake inputs yourself, letting the F-PACE's computers handle the delicate work.

Testing ASPC Before You Need It

Don't wait for the first major snowstorm to try ASPC. Find a safe, empty parking lot after a light snowfall and test the system.

Press the button, shift into Drive, release the brake, and feel how the F-PACE moves forward smoothly without wheel spin. Try adjusting the speed using the steering wheel controls. Practice reversing with ASPC active.

Once you understand how the system responds, you'll know when to use it during actual winter driving.

When Not to Use ASPC

ASPC is built for low-speed situations on slippery or loose surfaces. Don't activate it during normal highway driving, city traffic at regular speeds, or any time you're driving faster than 30 km/h.

The system limits engine power, which makes the F-PACE feel slow and unresponsive when you don't need that limitation. Save ASPC for situations where traction is genuinely limited.

Final Thoughts

The ASPC button near your parking brake handles a specific problem: maintaining traction at low speeds on slippery surfaces. It's not a feature you'll use every day, but when you need it—climbing an icy driveway in Côte-Saint-Luc or crawling through a snow-filled parking lot—it removes the frustration of spinning wheels and lost traction.

Press the button, release the brake, adjust your speed if needed, and steer. The F-PACE takes care of the rest.

If you have questions about ASPC or want to see it demonstrated in person, visit Decarie Motors Jaguar in Montreal. Our team can walk you through the system and show you how it works in real conditions.