Lincoln Aviator (2004) SUV [11/24] Driving off road

Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up

or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up

or straight down. Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep

slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and

possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand

the route you will use. 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.

When climbing a steep slope or hill,

start in a lower gear rather than

downshifting to a lower gear from a

higher gear once the ascent has

started. This reduces strain on the

engine and the possibility of stalling.

If you do stall out, do not try to

turn around because you might

induce a rollover. It is better to back

down to a safe location.

Apply just enough power to the

wheels to climb the hill. Too much

power can cause the tires to slip,

spin or lose traction, resulting in

loss of vehicle control.

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. In

a vehicle without four wheel

anti-lock brakes, if you lock up the

front brakes, the front wheels can’t

roll and if they aren’t rolling, you won’t be able to steer. The front wheels

have to be rolling 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 four wheel anti-lock brakes, apply and hold

the brakes firmly. Do not “pump” the brakes.

Driving Off-Road