GEN 2 Engine Braking in Slippery Mode

[TurboTJ]

The other day I was coming down a mountain pass here in CO. I usually hold M4 on the way down and M3 in one particularly steep spot. For some reason, this wasn’t working for me. I was in M3 at like 4500 RPM’s and accelerating. When I shifted back to drive at the bottom, it made a popping sound from the muffler like some unburnt fuel went through.

This has happened on a handful of occasions but it wasn’t until now that I put it all together.

I tried again today and found that in normal mode, the engine braking is sufficient. They must be reducing engine braking effect to reduce the chances of breaking traction. Or there is something else I still don’t understand...

So now the question is, what is it doing different in Slippery mode? I would guess it’s keeping the throttle open which reduces engine braking. Any other ideas or experience?

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[bailer]

That makes sense that they are reducing engine breaking in slippery mode.
It’s the same principal as trucking in slippery conditions. I always run lower settings on the jake and will supplement with the trailer brake to avoid being one of the jackknifed rigs in the ditch.

 

[TurboTJ]

That makes sense that they are reducing engine breaking in slippery mode.
It’s the same principal as trucking in slippery conditions. I always run lower settings on the jake and will supplement with the trailer brake to avoid being one of the jackknifed rigs in the ditch.

That’s good to know. I can see how too much braking when towing is unstable. I’ve also heard that you should engine break only with RWD when in snow. Maybe because in slippery mode, it is in 4A/4H, Ford reduces braking.

 

[Dustan]

I like tow/haul mode in the mtns but have used manual coming down some of the steep passes

 

[tahoeacr]

Engine braking can be effected by fueling and ignition timing. Very common on four stroke mx bikes were the throttle is still mechanical with no electronic over ride. When the big 450 four stroke craze happened, compression braking was a big rider complaint. Everyone was use to 250 two strokes that didn't have any compression braking.
I doubt Ford would hold open the throttle plate but they could add air thru the idle air control motor.

 

[pat247]

My S.W.A.G. is this is controlled through the torque converter and is relative to throttle position and other speed sensors. This is done mostly for fuel economy but I can see where it would help in slippery conditions.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Maybe I’m old school, but I don’t trust “Slippery” mode. I feel like all it does is dull throttle response.

 

[Lion74]

Just curious, would “Hill Descent Control” work in this situation?

 

[GordoJay]

Maybe I’m old school, but I don’t trust “Slippery” mode. I feel like all it does is dull throttle response.

I think it’s pretty much unnecessary, too. We’ve gotten some snow and traction control is so good in 2wd, normal mode that it’s crazy.

 

[Dustan]

Just curious, would “Hill Descent Control” work in this situation?

Nope that’s like a top speed of 5mph