2011 FORD F150 ESP

OFF-ROAD MODE
Off-road mode allows you to change the operating characteristics of the
following features to allow for better off-road performance:
•Transmission shifting and response
•Electronic locking differential
•AdvanceTrac(ABS, RSC, Traction Control)
Enabling off-road mode
With the vehicle traveling less than
5 mph (8 km/h) and your foot off of
the accelerator pedal, press this
button to turn on off-road mode. A
chime will sound and a message will
display indicating that off-road mode
is active. If any of the conditions are
not met, the message center will
display the appropriate messages to guide the driver through the proper
operating procedures. SeeMessage centerin yourOwner’s Guidefor
more information.
Press the button again to turn it off.
WARNING:Off-road mode is specifically calibrated for off-road
driving conditions and should never be used on pavement.
With this mode enabled, the operating characteristics of the following
features will be altered:
•Transmission shifting and response–Transmission upshifts are
delayed and occur less frequently. This ensures the best possible
vehicle response and acceleration if the driver needs to briefly lift off
of the throttle to negotiate an obstacle or corner.
•Electronic locking differential (ELD)–If engaged, the ELD will
remain locked until the operator manually disengages it with the
control knob, or disengages off-road mode and exceeds the standard
ELD speed thresholds. Refer toElectronic locking differentialin the
Drivingchapter of yourOwner’s Guidefor more information.
•AdvanceTrac–When off-road mode is engaged, the AdvanceTrac
settings are altered for optimized off-road performance.
•Tow/haul mode –If tow/haul mode is active, it will be disabled. Also,
you cannot select tow/haul mode when off-road mode is on. As the
SVT Raptor is primarily a performance vehicle, off-road mode takes
priority over tow/haul mode.
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AdvanceTracmodes
The AdvanceTracsystem, when used with off-road mode, provides the
SVT Raptor with alternative AdvanceTraccalibrations which improve
off-road performance.
With off-road mode on, the following changes to AdvanceTracwill
occur:
•Pressing the stability control off button once–This places the
vehicle in the off-road sport mode with the ESC, TCS and ABS active.
TCS and ESC are altered to allow for more tire spin and vehicle slip. It
also puts the ABS in a unique off-road mode calibration. RSC is
disabled in this mode.
Note:Operating the vehicle in this mode does not guarantee that the
vehicle will not become stuck in sand, snow or mud, etc. It is the
driver’s responsibility to assess off-road situations and determine if the
terrain is passable.
•Pressing and holding the stability control off button–This places
the vehicle in the off-road sport mode with the ESC, RSC, and TCS
disabled. A unique off-road ABS calibration is also engaged. Note that
when the transfer case is in the 2H position and the electronic locking
differential is engaged, an alternative TCS calibration is enabled
between 0 and 13 mph (0 and 20 km/h).
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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.
Tread Lightlyis 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 bytreading lightly.
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.
SeeMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter 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.
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•Look ahead on your route noting upcoming obstacles, surface texture
or color changes or any other factors which may indicate a change in
available traction, and adjust the vehicle speed and route accordingly.
•Always keep available ground clearance in mind and pick a route that
minimizes the risk of catching the underside of the vehicle on an
obstacle.
•When negotiating low speed obstacles, applying light brake pressure in
conjunction with the throttle will help prevent the vehicle from jerking
and will allow you to negotiate the obstacle in a more controlled
manner. Using 4L will also help with this.
•Use and equip supplemental safety equipment as discussed later in
this chapter.
•Please consult your local off-road group for other helpful tips.
•Off-roading requires a high degree of concentration. Even if your local
law does not prohibit alcohol use while driving off-road, Ford strongly
recommends against drinking if you plan to off-road.
Driving in mud
•Deep mud should be approached with caution especially if you are
driving in an unfamiliar area.
•If possible, test the depth of a mud hole before entering with the
vehicle.
•Keep in mind that obstacles and deep ruts may be hidden beneath the
surface of the mud.
•Proceed in a steady, controlled manner through deep mud while
maintaining momentum.
•If momentum is lost and you feel the vehicle becoming stuck, turning
the steering wheel back and forth (“sawing the wheel”)
14turn in
each direction may give the traction you need to clear the muddy
area.
•In higher speed areas with shallow mud, directional control will be
reduced in the muddy area much like on snow or ice. When
approaching such an area, be sure to slow to a speed which allows you
to maneuver as required by the conditions.
Driving in sand
WARNING:Tires must be returned to normal recommended tire
pressures before driving on pavement or hard surfaces. Failure
to properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire
failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
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•Before venturing off-road in unfamiliar areas at high speeds, do a low
speed reconnaissance run (“prerun”) to become aware of any
obstacles that you will encounter.
It is important that you take the time to become familiar with the
controls and dynamics of your vehicle before attempting higher speed
off-roading. Some points to consider:
•Build up speed slowly. Initially, drive at a pace which allows ample
time to fully assess the terrain around you and to understand how the
vehicle is responding to both the terrain and driver inputs. Increase
pace as comfort increases while always being mindful of how the
vehicle is responding to various events at different speeds.
•Find a wide open place to experiment with different functions on the
truck. Try a given maneuver with different vehicle settings (4H vs.
4L), (differential locked vs. unlocked), (AdvanceTrac in key-on vs.
single press vs. press and hold modes) and see how the truck
responds. Start slowly and build pace as comfort increases.
•Similarly, in a wide open space, experiment with different driving
techniques. For example, if the vehicle is tending to push straight
ahead when trying to negotiate a turn (understeering or plowing), a
light application of the brake while turning may help rotate the truck.
A wider entry to the corner or entering the corner more slowly may
help the truck turn and allow you to apply the throttle sooner after
negotiating the turn.
•Remember the phrasesmooth is fast. This refers to your steering,
throttle, and brake movements. Smooth decisive movements will yield
improved results while helping to increase safety.
•As speed increases, it is wise to look farther ahead of the vehicle so
that there is time to react to oncoming obstacles. Remember that in
many off-road environments, obstacles will be hard to see until they
are relatively near. A good strategy is to alternate between looking far
ahead and up closer to the front of the vehicle as you’re driving.
•Also remember todrive what you can see. This refers to not driving
faster than you are able to negotiate unforeseen upcoming obstacles.
This could refer to obstacles over a brow, in a ravine, in brush, in
dusty conditions, and in the darkness among others.
•If you are driving in a dusty area. Be sure to leave ample distance
between you and any other vehicles to ensure adequate vision.
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•Always remember that you may not be the only one in a particular
recreational area, always be cognizant of others in your area. This is
especially true of motorcycles and ATV’s which may be more difficult
to spot than a full-sized vehicle.
•If driving in desert conditions, it is advised that you always drive with
your headlights on to help other drivers more easily see you.
•While driving in desert conditions, the midpoint of the day is the most
difficult time to see many of the small ridges and dips due toflat
shadowsfrom the sun being at its highest point. Extreme care should
be taken at these times to not inadvertently run into these obstacles.
•It is highly encouraged that you switch to off-road mode and perform
anAdvanceTrac single pressto ensure improved off-road braking
performance under these conditions. Be sure to disengage the
off-road modeand switch back toAdvanceTrac key-on modebefore
performing any street driving. Please see the Off-road mode section of
this supplement for more details.
After off-road driving
It is important to complete a full vehicle inspection after off-road driving.
Some items to check include:
•Ensure that tires are inflated to proper tire pressure as indicated on
the tire placard.
•Check the wheels and undercarriage for built up mud or debris which
can cause vehicle vibration.
•Ensure that the grille and radiator are clear of any obstructions that
may affect cooling.
•Ensure that the brakes are in proper working order and free of any
mud, stones etc., which can become trapped around the brake rotor,
backing plate and caliper.
•Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
•Inspect for torn or punctured boots on ball joints, half shafts, steering
gears.
•Inspect exhaust system for damage or looseness.
•Inspect undercarriage fasteners. If any are loose or damaged, tighten
or replace ensuring that the proper torque specification is used.
•Inspect the tires for any cuts in the tread or sidewall area. Also
inspect the sidewall for any bulge indicating damage to the tire.
•Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks, or other damage.
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