2011 Ford F150 Regular Cab Driving Your SUV or Truck 1st Printing - Page 11

Driving Off-Road Driving on hills WARNING: Operating your vehicle off-road on slopes or hills requires safe off-road driving practices. Read and follow these safe off-road driving practices to reduce the risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, serious injury or death. Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up or straight down. Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill without the aid of an observer. When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling. If you do stall out, do not try to turn around because you might induce a rollover. It is better to back down to a safe location. Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much power can cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of vehicle control. 11 2011 Four Wheel Drive (4wd) Supplement, 1st Printing USA (fus)