2014 FORD F150 Raptor Supplement Manual

OFF-ROAD DRIVING
WARNING
Off-roading can be extremelydangerous and carries inherent risksthat may not be preventable evenwith the best precautions. Ford stronglyrecommends driving within your ability andtaking every safety precaution, includingthose found here and at other off-roaddriving organizations such as the Best inthe Desert Racing (www.bitd.com) andSCORE International Off-Road Racing.
In addition to providing an excellenton-road driving experience, your vehicleexcels at all types of off-road driving. Thetruck has been designed and equipped toallow you to explore those places wherethe road doesn’t take you whether it’s aforest trail or the open desert. Before goingoff-roading, consult with your localgovernmental agencies to determinedesignated off-road trails and recreationareas. Also, be sure to understand anyoff-road vehicle registration requirementsfor the area in which you plan on driving.
Tread Lightly is an educational programdesigned to increase public awareness ofland-use regulations and responsibilitiesin our nation’s wilderness areas. Ford joinsthe U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of LandManagement in encouraging you to helppreserve our national forest and otherpublic and private lands by treading lightly.
Before taking your vehicle off-roading, abasic vehicle inspection should be done tomake sure that the vehicle is in top workingcondition.
It is always recommended that at leasttwo vehicles are used while off-roading.The buddy system helps make sure thathelp is close at hand should a vehiclebecome stuck or damaged. It is also wiseto take supplies such as a first aid kit,supply of water, tow strap, cell or satellitephone with you any time an off-roadexcursion is planned.
Off-Road Mode
Off road mode changes the calibrations offour systems on the vehicle to enhance offroad performance:
•Electronic locking differential(ELD)— Any speed thresholds for theELD are lifted. The ELD will remainlocked up to the maximum vehiclespeed when engaged.
•AdvanceTrac— When off-road modeis engaged, the AdvanceTrac settingsare altered for optimized off-roadperformance.
•Transmission shifting andresponse— The transmission shiftschedule is altered for improved offroad performance. Upshifts aredelayed and occur less frequently. Thiswill provide the best possible vehicleresponse and acceleration.
•Engine throttle calibration— Theengine throttle calibration is altered forimproved off-road performance.
Note:Operating the vehicle in this modedoes not guarantee that the vehicle will notbecome stuck in sand, snow or mud or otherdebris. It is the driver’s responsibility toassess off-road situations and determine ifthe terrain is passable.
Note:Tow/haul mode will be disabledwhen off-road mode is active. If tow/haulmode is active, it will be disabled whenoff-road mode is active.
15F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

Enabling off-road mode
WARNING
Off-road mode is specificallycalibrated for off-road drivingconditions and should never be usedon pavement.
To enter off-road mode the followingconditions must be met:
•The vehicle must be traveling less than5 mph (8 km/h).
•Your foot must be off of theaccelerator pedal.
Note:If any of the conditions are not met,the information display screen will displaythe appropriate messages to guide the driverthrough the proper operating procedures.
To activate off-road mode press thebutton located on the center console. Achime will sound and a message willappear indicating that it is activated.
Disabling off-road mode
To disable off-road mode once it is activepress the off-road mode button a secondtime. A chime will sound and a messagewill appear indicating that it is deactivated.
AdvanceTrac Modes
During off-road mode the AdvanceTracsystem provides the vehicle withalternative AdvanceTrac calibrations,which improve off-road performance.
Off-road AdvanceTrac calibrations areenabled for 2H and 4H. When theAdvanceTrac button is pressed onceAdvanceTrac Sport will engage. In thismode the vehicle will have ABS, tractioncontrol and yaw control settingsspecifically calibrated for off-roadcondition. When the AdvanceTrac buttonis pressed and held AdvanceTrac willbecome disabled. In this mode onlyoff-road calibrated ABS remains active.Also, when off-road mode is not engaged,the AdvanceTrac disabled mode will notrevert to AdvanceTrac Sport mode abovethe speed threshold in place.
To switch between AdvanceTrac modeswith off-road mode active, press theAdvanceTrac button located on theinstrument panel.
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•AdvanceTrac Sport— Pressing thestability control off button once placesthe vehicle in the off-road sport mode.In this mode Electronic Stability Control(ESC), Traction Control Stability (TCS)and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) arealtered for a unique off-road modecalibration. TCS and ESC allow formore tire spin and vehicle slip. RollStablility Control (RCS) is disabled inthis mode.
•AdvanceTrac Disabled— Pressingand holding the stability control offbutton will disable AdvanceTrac. In thismode only off-road calibrated ABSremains active. Also, when off-roadmode is not engaged, the AdvanceTracdisabled mode will not revert toAdvanceTrac Sport mode above thespeed threshold in place. While in 4Hand 4L steering efforts will seemslightly higher.
AdvanceTrac with RSC features when using off-road mode
ABSTCSESCRSCOff-RoadModeInforma-tionDisplay
Advan-ceTracInforma-tionDisplay
SlidingCar IconButtonFunc-tions
Off -RoadMode
StreetOnOnOnOffEnabledOffDefaultat start-up
—
StreetSportSportOnOffSportOnButtonpressedmoment-arily
Off
StreetOffOffOffOffDisabledFlashes,thenstays on
Buttonpressedandheld formorethan 5
Off
secondswhiletrav-elingunder35 mph(56 km/h)
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ABSTCSESCRSCOff-RoadModeInforma-tionDisplay
Advan-ceTracInforma-tionDisplay
SlidingCar IconButtonFunc-tions
Off -RoadMode
StreetOnSportOnOffDisabledOnVehiclespeedexceeds35 mph(56 km/h)
Off
while/afterbuttonispressedandheld formorethan 5seconds
Off-roadSportSportOffOnSportOnButtonpressedmoment-arily
On
Off-roadOffOffOffOnDisabledFlashes,thenstays on
Buttonpressedandheld formorethan 5seconds
On
Note:When off-road mode is on, pressingthe stability control off button will changethe ABS to an off-road specific calibration.The ABS off-road mode desensitizes theABS. The ABS calibration in off-road modeis optimized for performance on off-roadsurfaces. This helps on very roughterrain/adverse driving conditions where thestandard ABS calibration may become tooactive and hinder the type of driving requiredin off-road conditions.
For more information on the AdvanceTracand its operation, refer to the StabilityControl chapter of your Owner’s Manual.
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Off-road Screen
The real-time status of your vehiclesoff-road systems can be continuouslymonitored using the first off-road screenfound under the Truck Apps menu in theinformation displays screen. See theInformation Displays chapter of yourOwner’s Manual for more information.
Basic Off-road Driving Techniques
•
•Grip the steering wheel with thumbson the outside of the rim. This willreduce the risk of injury due to abruptsteering wheel motions that occurwhen negotiating rough terrain. Do notgrip the steering wheel with thumbsinside the rim.
•Throttle, brake and steering inputsshould be made in a smooth andcontrolled manner. Sudden inputs tothe controls can cause loss of tractionor upset the vehicle, especially whileon sloped terrain or while crossingobstacles such as rocks or logs.
•Look ahead on your route notingupcoming obstacles, surface textureor color changes or any other factorswhich may indicate a change inavailable traction, and adjust thevehicle speed and route accordingly.During pre-run, mark obstacles withGPS markers to make sure appropriatespeeds are used to avoid potentialvehicle damage.
•When driving off-road, if the front orrear suspension is bottoming-outand/or excessive contact with theskid-plates is encountered, reducevehicle speed to avoid potentialdamage to the vehicle.
•When running with other vehicles, it isrecommended that communication isused, and the lead vehicle notify othervehicles of obstacles that could causepotential vehicle damage.
•Always keep available groundclearance in mind and pick a route thatminimizes the risk of catching theunderside of the vehicle on an obstacle.
•When negotiating low speed obstacles,applying light brake pressure inconjunction with the throttle will helpprevent the vehicle from jerking andwill allow you to negotiate the obstaclein a more controlled manner. Using 4Lwill also help with this.
•Use and equip supplemental safetyequipment as discussed later in thischapter.
•Please consult your local off-roadgroup for other helpful tips.
•Off-roading requires a high degree ofconcentration. Even if your local lawdoes not prohibit alcohol use whiledriving off-road, Ford stronglyrecommends against drinking if youplan to off-road.
Operating a Performance Vehicleat Higher than Normal Speeds
Your vehicle is capable of operating athigher than normal off-road speeds and isequipped with tires rated for the vehicles’maximum speed. However, it is importantto remember to always drive safely, obeyall traffic laws and only operate yourvehicle at higher than normal speeds atlocations and under conditions where suchcan be done safely.
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Before operating your vehicle at higherthan normal speeds:
•Make sure your tires are at the correcttire pressure. See Tire Care (page 26).
•Inspect wheels and tires for wear anddamage. Replace any damaged wheelsor tires.
•Never operate the vehicle at higherthan normal speeds when loaded withpassengers/cargo.
Driving in Mud
•Deep mud should be approached withcaution especially if you are driving inan unfamiliar area.
•If possible, test the depth of a mud holebefore entering with the vehicle.
•Keep in mind that obstacles and deepruts may be hidden beneath thesurface of the mud.
•Proceed in a steady, controlled mannerthrough deep mud while maintainingmomentum.
•If momentum is lost and you feel thevehicle becoming stuck, turning thesteering wheel back and forth (sawingthe wheel) quarter turn in eachdirection may give the traction youneed to clear the muddy area.
•In higher speed areas with shallowmud, directional control will be reducedin the muddy area much like on snowor ice. When approaching such an area,be sure to slow to a speed whichallows you to maneuver as required bythe conditions.
Driving in Sand
WARNING
Tires must be returned to normalrecommended tire pressures beforedriving on pavement or hardsurfaces. Failure to properly maintain yourtire pressure could increase the risk of tirefailure, loss of control, vehicle rollover andpersonal injury.
Soft sand and dunes present a very uniquedriving challenge. Before going on such adrive, some research is advised regardingproven techniques and pitfalls inherent indriving in deep sand.
Some general points to consider:
•It is very difficult and in many casesimpossible to navigate deep sand withtire pressures which are appropriate foron-road driving. If you decide to airdown your tires, be advised that the tirepressure monitoring light willilluminate. The tires must be returnedto normal recommended tire pressuresbefore driving on pavement or hardsurfaces.
•Lower tire pressures are more likely tocause a debeading of the tire duringcornering. Avoid sharp or abrupt turnswhen you have extremely low tirepressures.
•To help prevent becoming stuck indeep sand, avoid spinning the tires ormaking abrupt maneuvers. Proceed ina controlled manner while maintainingvehicle momentum.
•Avoid stopping or parking on inclinesas this makes it more difficult toresume driving.
20F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

Driving in Deep Snow
•Maintain vehicle momentum.
•Apply the throttle very gently to avoidspinning the tires. Spinning the tires willpotentially dig the vehicle deeper intothe snow.
•Drive in a controlled manner, avoidingaggressive steering wheel movements,and keep braking to a minimum.
•Extremely deep snow may cause thevehicle to high center causing thevehicle to become stuck. Test thedepth of the snow before trying to drivethrough it.
Crossing Obstacles
•Review the path ahead beforeattempting to cross any obstacle. It isbest if the obstacle is reviewed fromoutside the vehicle so that there is agood understanding of terrain conditionboth in, front of, and behind theobstacle.
•Approach obstacles slowly and slowlyinch the vehicle over.
•If a large obstacle such as a rockcannot be avoided, choose a path thatplaces the rock directly under the tirerather than the undercarriage of thevehicle. This will help prevent damageto the vehicle.
•Ditches and washouts should becrossed at a 45 degree angle, allowingeach wheel to independently cross theobstacle.
Hill Climbing
WARNING
Extreme care should be used whensteering the vehicle in reverse downa slope so as not to cause the vehicleto swerve out of control.
•Always attempt to climb a steep hillalong the fall line of the slope and notdiagonally.
•If the vehicle is unable to make it upthe hill, DO NOT attempt to turn backdown the slope. Place the vehicle inlow range and slowly back down inreverse.
•When descending a steep slope, selectlow gear and engage hill descentcontrol. Use the throttle and brakepedals to control your descent speedas described earlier in this section usinghill descent control. Note that hilldescent control is functional in reverseand should be used in this situation.
Water Wading
Your vehicle is designed to operate in waterdepths up to 30 inches (760 millimeters).However, as the water depth increases,vehicle speed must be reduced to avoidpotential vehicle damage.
•Always determine the depth beforeattempting a water crossing.
•Proceed slowly and avoid splashingwater any more than is necessary.
•Be aware that obstacles and debrismay be beneath the water’s surface.
•Keep the doors fully closed during thewater crossing.
•Upon completion of the water crossing,slowly drive a short distance and checkthe brakes for full effectiveness.
Refer to chart below for the maximumallowable speeds when driving throughwater.
Note:Failure to follow the recommendedspeeds may result in vehicle damage.
21F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

Maximum Allow-able Vehicle SpeedWater Depth
40 mph (65 km/h)6 in (150 mm)
31 mph (50 km/h)8 in (200 mm)
19 mph (30 km/h)10 in (250 mm)
8 mph (12 km/h)12 in (300 mm)
4 mph (7 km/h)18 to 30 in (450mm to 760 mm)
Less than 6 mph(10 km/h)Reverse – up to 30in (760 mm)
High Speed Off-Roading
The off-road driving discussed thus far hasfocused on the type of events typicallyencountered during slow speed off-roaddriving conditions. Your vehicle providesexcellent performance in a full size pick-uptruck during these slower speed conditions,but truly excels at higher speed baja styleoff-road driving. High speed off-roadingpresents a unique challenge, but extra careand caution should be taken beforeengaging in this type of driving.
If you plan on using the truck for severe,high speed off-road use, the following isrecommended:
•Equip your truck with the safetyequipment used for the Stock-FullClass as defined in the rule books forthe Best in the Desert Racing(www.bitd.com) and SCOREInternational Off-Road Racing(www.score-international.com).
•Use personal safety equipmentincluding a SNELL SA certified helmetand approved neck restraint device.
•Before venturing off-road in unfamiliarareas at high speeds, do a low speedreconnaissance run (prerun) tobecome aware of any obstacles thatyou will encounter.
Ford SVT has engineered your vehicle foroff-road use beyond what is normal for aF-150. However, it can incur damage ifdriven beyond its capabilities. Skid plates,shock guards and running boards weredesigned to help limit damage to vitalcomponents and exterior finishes, butcannot prevent all damage if driven inextreme off-road conditions. Damage toskid plates, shock guards, running boardsand exterior finishes as well as bent,cracked or broken body, frame and chassiscomponents may not be covered bywarranty.
It is important that you take the time tobecome familiar with the controls anddynamics of your vehicle beforeattempting higher speed off-roading.
22F150 (TF6)Driving Hints