How do I drive this car in the mountains?

[Angry Hippo]

Never got an answer so I figured I'd try again.

I'm driving my Ford Maverick.
Headed up a mountain pass, no problem cause the turbo launches me right up.
I get to the top and begin to descend the mountain.
My vehicle begins picking up speed, more than my disc brakes can mitigate without overheating.

How do I engaged mild/moderate engine braking at speeds of 30-60 miles per hour?

In my CX-5 the gear selector could be moved into 'sport' mode and allow you to manually select which gear you desired (although the computer would keep you from doing something dumb like going into 1st at 60 MPH).

I understand the Maverick doesn't have manual gear selection... but surely you must be able to lock it in to a lower gear?

I heard "low" mode can be activated at any speed. Can anyone explain in detail what 'low' actually does? Does it lock you in 1st/2nd? Or does it just downshift a few gears?


Sorry for the repeat thread. Just surprised that on a car forum no one can tell me how to drive the damn car.

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[OleFordGuy]

according to the manual:

LOW (L)
This mode is for driving on steep slopes.
The transmission will hold low gear for
maximum torque driving uphill and
maximum engine braking driving downhill.
You can enter this mode at any vehicle
speed.

Note: Prolonged use of this mode could
lower fuel economy. With your vehicle in
drive (D), press the L button to enter this
mode.

 

[07_Shelby]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...nsmission-can-it-be-downshifted-manually.481/

 

[Angry Hippo]

Thank you for posting that. I am, however, already familiar with that section.

I'm more curious how it works. If I'm going 70mph and hit "low" what exactly happens? It doesn't drop into 1st (or does it?)

Manual reflects low mode provides "maximum engine breaking".... eh, that's not necessarily what I want... i just want a little engine breaking. Is that possible?

 

[Autonomous]

You are overthinking this. On a public highway at 70 mph your brakes are not overheating. Not even close to it, just drive.
I will ask why you think the brakes are overheating though.

 

[WesM]

You could try tow/haul mode, I believe that mode provides moderate engine braking to slow the vehicle. But yea, as others have stated the L is specifically designed for what you are trying to do.

 

[aspect]

It says in the manual you can engage L at any speed. What do you think that tells you about whether it always goes to first gear?

Why do you think your brakes are overheating when maintaining highway speed downhill?

It's funny you mentioned firearm forums...this thread really reminds me of them.

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