Hill descent control on 2005 Explorer?

[Phisherman]

I noticed when going down steep grades with the cruise control enabled, my X shifts into lower gears automatically and maintains the set speed. Is this an intentional design? I never had a vehicle do this and it scared me the first time I experienced it. It is a very nice feature to have for going down the mountains in AZ.

 

[Number4]

That is what cruise control will do, yes.

 

[Phisherman]

I am certain this is not a typical cruise control feature. I have had an 03 Windstar, 05 Freestar, 05, 03 Focus, 96 Club Wagon. Not to mention other brands. None of these would slow me down when descending mountains. The only way to maintain the speed limit was to use the brakes. I no longer have to use any brakes when descending in the X. Also, I lived in Woodstock, GA for about 5 years. I don't remember a single grade as steep as what I'm talking about. I believe the mountains are in the neighborhood of a 7% grade.

 

[Number4]

Your throttle is electronically controlled. As the cruise control reduces throttle to match your setting, your transmission will down shift as needed.

Traffic doesn't allow for the use of cruise control in Woodstock and Atlanta.

My 88 Marquis would maintain (attempt to depending on grade) with the cruise control setting (Mountains of Northern California.) I'd assume most of which was a function of the transmission downshifting. Never thought about it.