1996 Ford F250 Owner's Manual - Page 182

Forced Downshifts To gain extra acceleration in j Overdrive or Drive (O/D OFF), push the accelerator to the floor. The transmission will automatically downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first. Power Braking Increasing the engine speed above idle without vehicle movement (such as holding the brake) in a forward or reverse gear causes transmission stall. NOTE: Continued operation in the stall condition can result in transmission overheat, malfunction or fluid expulsion. Driving with a Manual Transmission Using the Clutch Make sure the gearshift lever is in the N (Neutral) position and your right foot is holding down the brake pedal. Then press the clutch pedal to the floor with your left foot. Manual transmission vehicles have a starter interlock switch. The starter will not crank until the clutch pedal is fully depressed. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few seconds. Move the gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse). To move the vehicle, release the clutch slowly and at the same time press down slowly on the accelerator so that the vehicle accelerates. Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life. 180