Engine Braking & Trail Control

BroncoInTheATL

Aug 08, 2022

I was out on the Alpine Loop in Colorado last week and found both Trail Control and Engine Braking to be valuable features in the Bronco during long descents. Both features were covered while I was at Off Roadeo Texas, but these were multi-mile down hills with significant grade changes, obstacles, sharp turns, and occasional traffic. I tried to lay off the brake pedal as much as possible and allow the engine to manage my speed, but feel like I wasn’t fully taking advantage of the technology. When using engine braking, I tried putting my gear shifter in M and use the +/- buttons to change the gears, but the tachometer suggested I wasn’t doing it well. I’d love any advice or links that provide more detail on how to optimize these features and manage speed in these situations, including thinking about when it’s best to use the brake (e.g. when RPMs exceed a certain level). Trail control was great at low speeds (<10 MPH while in 4L).

2022 4-Door Area 51 Badlands Sasquatch Soft Top 2.3L Auto & Lux

Bschurr

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 08, 2022

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Aug 18, 2022

BroncoInTheATL
I was out on the Alpine Loop in Colorado last week and found both Trail Control and Engine Braking to be valuable features in the Bronco during long descents. Both features were covered while I was at Off Roadeo Texas, but these were multi-mile down hills with significant grade changes, obstacles, sharp turns, and occasional traffic. I tried to lay off the brake pedal as much as possible and allow the engine to manage my speed, but feel like I wasn’t fully taking advantage of the technology. When using engine braking, I tried putting my gear shifter in M and use the +/- buttons to change the gears, but the tachometer suggested I wasn’t doing it well. I’d love any advice or links that provide more detail on how to optimize these features and manage speed in these situations, including thinking about when it’s best to use the brake (e.g. when RPMs exceed a certain level). Trail control was great at low speeds (<10 MPH while in 4L).

So when we used the engine brake at the NH Off-Roadeo, they wanted us to use M1. I believe you had to shift the lever all the way back which would put it into M2. Then you had to push the - button to get it down to M1. Is this what you did?

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

BroncoInTheATL

Aug 18, 2022

I did put the lever into M but recall that it started in M4. I then toggled it down. Wasn’t sure I was balancing RPMs and speed effectively as it seemed to be revving high. I saw on another thread that you can use the +/- when you’re in D. I may try that the next time I’m off road (and not on I-75).

2022 4-Door Area 51 Badlands Sasquatch Soft Top 2.3L Auto & Lux

Aug 18, 2022

No, you’ve got to go left and down into 2nd, blip the throttle, and let the clutch out easy.

BL EG 7MT 2.3L Lux O-=====-O Michigan
Order: 10/26/21, Blend: 8/8/22, Built: 8/30, Driveway: 9/20/22

Aug 18, 2022

Crawler Green
No, you’ve got to go left and down into 2nd, blip the throttle, and let the clutch out easy.

Hi @Crawler Green. I have the automatic transmission.

2022 4-Door Area 51 Badlands Sasquatch Soft Top 2.3L Auto & Lux

TK1215

Aug 19, 2022

BroncoInTheATL
Hi @Crawler Green. I have the automatic transmission.

Oh he knows!

Deano Bronc, Crawler Green

Aug 19, 2022

BroncoInTheATL
Hi @Crawler Green. I have the automatic transmission.

Automatic?? What’s that?

BL EG 7MT 2.3L Lux O-=====-O Michigan
Order: 10/26/21, Blend: 8/8/22, Built: 8/30, Driveway: 9/20/22

TK1215, Deano Bronc

Aug 19, 2022

What about the Tach is telling you you are doing something wrong? Shifting down increases rpm...engine braking needs the help of lower gears to work on bigger downhills...as long as you are not over reving you are fine.

2023 Big Bend 2 door, race red, 2.7, Sasquatch, tow

Deano Bronc, PSUTE

Aug 19, 2022

Oldhippie
What about the Tach is telling you you are doing something wrong? Shifting down increases rpm...engine braking needs the help of lower gears to work on bigger downhills...as long as you are not over reving you are fine.

Wasn’t close to redlining. I’m guessing the noise associated with the increase in RPM when I changed gears freaked me out a bit but the truck was doing what it was supposed to do. Thanks!

2022 4-Door Area 51 Badlands Sasquatch Soft Top 2.3L Auto & Lux

Deano Bronc

Aug 19, 2022

Crawler Green
Automatic?? What’s that?

Drove a stick once when my college friend’s brother blocked me in and I had to move his truck. Left a little metal in the driveway, if I remember correctly.

2022 4-Door Area 51 Badlands Sasquatch Soft Top 2.3L Auto & Lux

TK1215, Deano Bronc

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