FORD 2002 F-150 v.1 - Manual (Page 194)

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral, disengage
overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a
steep hill, avoid sudden hard
braking as you could lose control.
When you brake hard, the front
wheels can’t turn and if they aren’t
turning, you won’t be able to steer.
The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the vehicle. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles for
stopping as well as drive slower than usual and consider using one of the
lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels.
Use a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you may
steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels, release the
brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle is equipped
with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the brake steadily.
Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to the Brakes section of this chapter for
additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Driving
194