FORD F150 2014 12.G Raptor Supplement Manual

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
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•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.
19F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

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

Some points to consider:
•Build up speed slowly. Initially, drive ata pace which allows ample time to fullyassess the terrain around you and tounderstand how the vehicle isresponding to both the terrain anddriver inputs. Increase pace as comfortincreases while always being mindfulof how the vehicle is responding tovarious events at different speeds.
•Find a wide open place to experimentwith different functions on the truck.Try a given maneuver with differentvehicle settings (4H vs. 4L),(differential locked vs. unlocked),(AdvanceTrac in key-on vs. single pressvs. press and hold modes) and see howthe truck responds. Start slowly andbuild pace as comfort increases.
•Similarly, in a wide open space,experiment with different drivingtechniques. For example, if the vehicleis tending to push straight ahead whentrying to negotiate a turn(understeering or plowing), a lightapplication of the brake while turningmay help rotate the truck. A wider entryto the corner or entering the cornermore slowly may help the truck turnand allow you to apply the throttlesooner after negotiating the turn.
•Remember the phrase smooth is fast.This refers to your steering, throttle,and brake movements. Smoothdecisive movements will yieldimproved results while helping toincrease safety.
•As speed increases, it is wise to lookfarther ahead of the vehicle so thatthere is time to react to oncomingobstacles. Remember that in manyoff-road environments, obstacles willbe hard to see until they are relativelynear. A good strategy is to alternatebetween looking far ahead and upcloser to the front of the vehicle asyou’re driving.
•Also remember to drive what you cansee. This refers to not driving fasterthan you are able to negotiateunforeseen upcoming obstacles. Thiscould refer to obstacles over a brow, ina ravine, in brush, in dusty conditions,and in the darkness among others.
•If you are driving in a dusty area. Be sureto leave ample distance between youand any other vehicles to make sureadequate vision.
•Always remember that you may not bethe only one in a particular recreationalarea, always be cognizant of others inyour area. This is especially true ofmotorcycles and ATV’s which may bemore difficult to spot than a full-sizedvehicle.
•If driving in desert conditions, it isadvised that you always drive with yourheadlights on to help other driversmore easily see you.
•While driving in desert conditions, themidpoint of the day is the most difficulttime to see many of the small ridgesand dips due to flat shadows from thesun being at its highest point. Extremecare should be taken at these times tonot inadvertently run into theseobstacles.
23F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

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•It is highly encouraged that you switchto off-road mode and perform anAdvanceTrac single press to make sureimproved off-road brakingperformance under these conditions.Be sure to disengage the off-roadmode and switch back to AdvanceTrackey-on mode before performing anystreet driving. Please see the Off-RoadMode section of this supplement formore details.
After Off-Road Driving
It is important to complete a full vehicleinspection after off-road driving. Someitems to check include:
•Make sure that tires are inflated toproper tire pressure as indicated on thetire placard.
•Check the wheels and undercarriagefor built up mud or debris which cancause vehicle vibration.
•Make sure that the grille and radiatorare clear of any obstructions that mayaffect cooling.
•Make sure that the brakes are in properworking order and free of any mud,stones and debris, which can becometrapped around the brake rotor,backing plate and caliper.
•Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
•Inspect for torn or punctured boots onball joints, half shafts, steering gears.
•Inspect exhaust system for damage orlooseness.
•Inspect undercarriage fasteners. If anyare loose or damaged, tighten orreplace ensuring that the proper torquespecification is used.
•Inspect the tires for any cuts in thetread or sidewall area. Also inspect thesidewall for any bulge indicatingdamage to the tire.
•Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks,or other damage.
24F150 (TF6)Driving Hints

CLEANING THE EXTERIOR
Do not drive your vehicle through anautomated, commercial car wash due tothe vehicle’s tire width and track. Washyour vehicle by hand, or by using atouchless commercial wash with nomechanical tracks on the floor. Do not usea commercial or high-pressure wand onthe bed-side graphic surface or graphicsedges.
25F150 (TF6)Vehicle Care

GENERAL INFORMATION
Your vehicle is equipped with uniquewheels and tires designed to enhanceperformance and appearance. To continueproviding this performance, you must takeextra care when operating and maintainingyour vehicle.
LT315/70R17 BSWtiresTires
SVT-Signaturestyle, 17 in x 8.5 inaluminum 6-spokewheels
Wheels
LT315/70R17 BSWtireSpare tire
TIRE CARE
WARNINGS
Always re-inflate tires torecommended tire pressures beforethe vehicle is operated on-road. Therecommended pressure is located on thetire placard label or safety certificationlabel, located on the B-pillar, inside thedriver’s door.
Always check tires and wheels fordamage before returning to the road.Off-road use may cause damage toyour tires and wheels that could result intire failure.
Note:If you have reduced your tire pressurefor off-road use, the tire pressure monitoringsystem (TPMS) warning light will thenactivate in the instrument panel as areminder to re-inflate the tires beforereturning to the road.
Your vehicle is equipped with highperformance, all-terrain tires designed tooptimize handling, steering and braking toprovide the performance you expect in anSVT vehicle. These tires are optimized forboth on and off-road performance, andtheir ride, noise and wear characteristicsare different from other tires. Also, becauseof their aggressive tread profile, it isimportant that you maintain your tiresproperly.
•Always maintain your tire pressuresaccording to the tire informationplacard located on the driver’s doorB-pillar, using an accurate gauge.Remember to be prepared to re-inflateyour tires before returning to the road.If a tire filling station is not available,remember to prepare a supplementalmeans to inflate the tires, such as aportable compressor.
•In cold temperature, check the tirepressure after the vehicle has beenparked for more than three hours. Donot reduce pressure of warm tires.
•Check your tire pressure often tomaintain it properly. Tire pressure candiminish over time and fluctuate withtemperature.
•Do not overload your vehicle. Maximumvehicle and axle weights are listed onthe tire information placard.
•Extra caution should be taken whenoperating the vehicle near its maximumload, including assuring proper tirepressure and reducing speeds.
•In the event that you encounter anabnormally harsh impact, inspect yourtires for damage.
•Inspect your tires for damage on aregular basis. Replace a damaged tireimmediately.
26F150 (TF6)Wheels and Tires

•Proper suspension alignment is criticalfor maximum performance andoptimal tire wear. If you notice uneventire wear, have your alignment checked.
•When replacing tires, the only way toassure original performance is to usethe original equipment tire. If a differenttire is used, it should be the same size,speed rating and load rating.
Tire Rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires performdifferent jobs, they often wear differently.To make sure your tires wear evenly andlast longer, have them rotated.
The front tires are shown at the left of theillustration.
Note:Your vehicle requires tire rotationsevery 5000 miles (8000 kilometers). If younotice that the tires wear unevenly, havethem checked.
Spare Tire and Wheel
Your vehicle is equipped with anLT315/70R17 spare tire. The sparetire/wheel assembly has the samecapability as the road tire/wheel assembly,but is not equipped with a tire pressuremonitoring sensor.
USING SNOW CHAINS
The original equipment tires on your vehicleare not designed to be used with snowchains. If you will be operating your vehiclewith snow chains, use a smaller tire andwheel combination as recommended inyour Owner’s Manual.
WHEELS
Your vehicle is equipped with uniquewheels matched to the tires. To avoiddamage to your wheels:
•Maintain proper tire pressure. See TireCare (page 26).
•Due to extreme tire/wheel width, thisvehicle cannot be taken through anautomatic car wash that usesmechanical tracks, as wheel damagemay result.
•When installing wheels, always torquelug nuts to specification with a torquewrench.
•Inspect your wheels for damage on aregular basis. If you have a damagedwheel, replace it immediately.
•In the event that you encounter anabnormally harsh impact, inspect theouter diameter of your wheels, bothinside and out, for damage.
Optional Bead-Lock CompatibleWheel
Note:SVT only recommends usingbead-lock rings from Ford Racing, inconjunction with the OEM tire. Any othercombination using this wheel could resultin air loss or tire failure.
Note:Converting the bead-lock compatiblewheel to true bead-locks is for off-road useonly. On road driving is not permitted.
27F150 (TF6)Wheels and TiresE142548

If your vehicle is equipped with the optionalbead lock compatible wheel, you have theability to convert this wheel to use a truebead-lock ring, which allows operation atlow tire pressures when off-road tominimize risk of de-beading the tire. Seeyour local Ford Racing Parts Dealer formore information.
28F150 (TF6)Wheels and Tires