Ford F-MAX User Manual page 133

WARNING
In the vehicles with engine driven
power output (Engine-PTO), the angle
of the shaft mounted at this point by
the superstructure manufacturer with
respect to engine shall not exceed
the value of 3° . Make sure that the
superstructure of your vehicle was
constructed accordingly.
Otherwise, it may result in vibration,
balance and thus serious engine and
superstructure problems.
CAUTION
You may not observe the obstacles in
time or assess the structure of the ground
properly. Always drive slowly off -road to
prevent damages to the vehicle. Vehicle
may slip sideways or turned over. Never
drive the vehicle in direct angle to the
slope, always drive in parallel to the
slope. Do not manoeuvre in the opposite
direction. If your vehicle cannot take a
slope, drive in the reverse gear. You may
lose the control of the vehicle when you
shift to neutral or press the clutch or try
to brake the vehicle with the service brake
only in slopes. Do not let your vehicle
to move in neutral or with the clutch
activated.
If you load your vehicle excessively,
this would increase the risk of turning
over. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible axle load. Maintain the
center of gravity as low as possible when
you are loading your vehicle.
Materials that lower that the eff ect of
braking, such as sand or water mixed
with oil, may enter the brakes if you drive
your vehicle on muddy or swampy areas
frequently. This may cause excessive
wear and a decrease in the braking
eff ect. A risk of not being able to use
the braking eff ect fully in emergency
conditions is present.
Test the brakes aft er any off -road drives.
If the braking eff ect is lowered or that
rubbing noises are present in this test,
make sure that your brake system is
checked by a FORD OTOSAN authorized
dealership.
WARNING
Acceleration forces act on your body
from all directions due to the improper
nature of the ground. There is a risk
of bouncing off the seat and injuring
yourself.
Always fasten your safety belt in the off -
road drives, too.
- 129 -
OPERATION
While driving
Drive systems for off -road trips Driving
systems and equipment described below
allows you to drive your vehicle safely off -
road:
• Disengagement of the ASR.
•Diff erential locks.
WARNING
The steering wheel may strike back and
cause injuries on the thumbs of your
hands when driving over obstacles or
the tracks formed over the road. Hold
the steering wheel tightly with your
both hands. Consider the high forces
occurring for a short period of time while
driving over the obstacles.
• Stop the vehicle and engage a lower
gear before driving off -road.
• Always drive the vehicle with the
engine running and a gear engaged
while driving off -road.
• Drive slowly and with a stable speed.
Drive with the crawling speed if
required.
• Make sure that the wheels are always
held on the road.
• Activate the diff erential lock.
• Drive with extra care in an unknown or
a non-visible area. Get off the vehicle
fi rst, and inspect the terrain for safety
reasons.
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