Off-Road Driving; Basic Off-Road Driving Techniques - Ford SUPER DUTY 2024 Owner's Manual

BASIC OFF-ROAD DRIVING
TECHNIQUES
Off-road Driving Hints
Before taking your vehicle off-roading,
perform a basic inspection to make sure
your vehicle is in good working condition.
We recommend that you always use at
least two vehicles while off-roading. The
buddy system helps make sure 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, water, tow
strap, cell phone with you.
The following are hints for safe off-road
driving:
• Steer, brake and accelerate in a
smooth controlled manner. Avoid jerky,
unsteady movements.
• Look ahead on your route noting
upcoming obstacles, or any other
factors that may indicate a change in
available traction and adjust the
vehicle speed and route accordingly.
• If the front or rear suspension is
bottoming out, or you encounter
excessive contact with the skid-plates,
reduce the vehicle speed to avoid
potential damage to your vehicle.
• We recommend that you use vehicle
communication, such as, turn signals,
brake lights, and hazard flashers to
alert other drivers of what you intend
to do next, and of obstacles that could
cause potential vehicle damage.
2024 Super Duty (TFH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202307, DOM

Off-Road Driving

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Crossing Obstacles
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Climbing A Hill
be used when steering the vehicle in
reverse down a slope so as not to cause
the vehicle to swerve out of control.
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.
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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 helps
prevent your vehicle from jerking and
allows you to negotiate the obstacle
in a more controlled manner. Using
four-wheel drive low (4L) will also help
with this.
Review the path ahead before
attempting to cross an obstacle. It is
best if you view the obstacle from
outside your vehicle so that you have
a good understanding of terrain
conditions both in front of and behind
the obstacle.
Approach obstacles slowly.
If you cannot avoid a large obstacle
such as a rock, choose a path that
places the rock directly under the tire
rather than the undercarriage of your
vehicle. This helps prevent damage to
your vehicle.
Cross ditches and washouts at a 45°
angle, allowing each wheel to
independently cross the obstacle.
WARNING: Extreme care should