2011 Ford F150 Regular Cab F-150 Raptor Supplement 1st Printing - Page 14

Driving Before going off-roading, consult with your local governmental agencies to determine designated off-road trails and recreation areas. Also, be sure to understand any off-road vehicle registration requirements for the area in which you plan on driving. ЉTread LightlyЉ is an educational program designed to increase public awareness of land-use regulations and responsibilities in our nation's wilderness areas. Ford joins the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by Љtreading lightlyЉ. Before taking your F-150 SVT Raptor off-roading, a basic vehicle inspection should be done to ensure that the vehicle is in top working condition. It is always recommended that at least two vehicles are used while off-roading. The "buddy system" helps ensure that help is close at hand should a vehicle become stuck or damaged. It is also wise to take supplies such as a first aid kit, supply of water, tow strap, cell or satellite phone with you any time an off-road excursion is planned. WARNING: Off-roading can be extremely dangerous and carries inherent risks that may not be preventable even with the best precautions. Ford strongly recommends driving within your ability and taking every safety precaution, including those found here and at other off-road driving organizations such as the Best in the Desert Racing (www.bitd.com) and SCORE International Off Road Racing. Off-road screen The real-time status of the Raptor's off-road systems can be continuously monitored using the first off-road screen found under the Truck Apps menu in the message center. See Message center in the Instrument Cluster chapter of your Owner's Guide for more information. Basic off-road driving techniques • Grip the steering wheel with thumbs on the outside of the rim. This will reduce the risk of injury due to abrupt steering wheel motions that occur when negotiating rough terrain. Do not grip the steering wheel with thumbs inside the rim. • Throttle, brake and steering inputs should be made in a smooth and controlled manner. Sudden inputs to the controls can cause loss of traction or "upset" the vehicle, especially while on sloped terrain or while crossing obstacles such as rocks or logs. 14 2011 F-150 (f12) Supplement, 1st Printing USA (fus)