Driving -> FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED) for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Driving  
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)  
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when  
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the  
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.  
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a  
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in  
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving  
and should not be noticeable to the driver.  
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)  
For important information regarding safe operation of this type  
of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in this chapter.  
Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should  
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.  
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4WD Low  
is selected while the vehicle is moving, the 4WD system will not  
engage. This is normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer  
to Shifting to/from 4WD Low for proper operation.  
System indicator lights  
• 4X4 HIGH - momentarily  
4x4  
HIGH  
illuminates when the vehicle is  
started. Illuminates when 4H is  
selected.  
• 4X4 LOW – momentarily  
illuminates when the vehicle is  
started. Illuminates when 4L is  
selected.  
4x4  
LOW  
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Using the Control Trac 4WD system  
4X4 AUTO - Power to all four wheels; used for normal street and  
highway driving.  
4X4 HIGH (4WD High) - Used for extra traction such as in snow or icy  
roads or in off-road situations. Not intended for use on dry pavement.  
4X4 LOW (4WD Low) - Uses extra gearing to provide maximum power  
to all four wheels. Intended only for off-road applications such as deep  
sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects. 4X4 LOW (4WD Low) will  
not engage while the vehicle is moving; this is normal and should be no  
reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW (4WD Low) for  
proper operation.  
Shifting between 4X4 AUTO (4WD Auto) and 4X4 HIGH (4WD High)  
• Select 4X4 AUTO (4WD Auto) or 4X4 HIGH (4WD High) at any  
forward speed.  
Note: Do not perform this operation at speeds above 72 km/h (45 mph)  
if the outside temperature is below 0°C (32°F).  
Note: Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.  
Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW (4WD Low)  
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop  
2. Depress the brake  
3. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).  
4. Press the desired 4WD position.  
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• If shifting into 4X4 LOW (4WD Low), wait for the 4X4 LOW light in  
the instrument cluster to turn on indicating the shift is complete.  
• If shifting out of 4X4 LOW (4WD Low), wait for the 4X4 LOW light in  
the instrument cluster to turn off indicating the shift is complete.  
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles  
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and  
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat  
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.  
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles  
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your  
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without  
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.  
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle  
differently than an ordinary passenger car.  
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.  
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel  
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not  
grip the spokes.  
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as  
rocks and stumps.  
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before  
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain  
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four  
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.  
Basic operating principles  
• Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce  
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.  
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose  
surfaces.  
• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering  
characteristics of your vehicle.  
• Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by  
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.  
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement  
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but  
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the  
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Driving  
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering  
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.  
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow  
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose  
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too  
sharply or abruptly.  
• It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway  
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a  
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide  
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the  
safety of others should be your primary concern.  
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and  
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a  
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not  
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more  
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under  
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt  
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in  
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal  
injury and death.  
If your vehicle gets stuck  
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by  
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a  
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.  
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating  
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.  
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage  
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may  
overheat.  
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is  
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and  
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.  
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp  
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.  
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.  
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Driving  
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may  
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.  
Emergency maneuvers  
• In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn  
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle, i.e.,  
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid  
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,  
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or  
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are  
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could  
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover  
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the  
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.  
• In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not  
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.  
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and  
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a  
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not  
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more  
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under  
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt  
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in  
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal  
injury and death.  
• If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from  
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle  
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,  
avoid these abrupt inputs.  
Parking  
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)  
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of  
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic  
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not  
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)  
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition  
when leaving the vehicle.  
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Driving  
4WD Systems  
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode) uses all four wheels to power the  
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and  
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.  
Power is supplied to all four wheels  
through a transfer case. On 4WD  
vehicles, the transfer case allows  
you to select 4WD when necessary.  
Information on transfer case  
operation and shifting procedures  
can be found in the Driving  
chapter. Information on transfer  
case maintenance can be found in the Maintenance and specifications  
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information  
before you operate your vehicle.  
Normal characteristics  
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while  
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary clunk and ratcheting  
sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to speed and the  
automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for concern.  
Sand  
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid  
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower  
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly  
and avoid spinning the wheels.  
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make  
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.  
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you  
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may  
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back  
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.  
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Driving  
Mud and water  
If you must drive through high  
water, drive slowly. Traction or  
brake capability may be limited.  
When driving through water,  
determine the depth; avoid water  
higher than the bottom of the hubs  
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If  
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.  
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the  
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving  
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.  
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you  
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As  
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid  
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of  
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.  
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,  
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.  
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.  
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should  
be replaced.  
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts  
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an  
imbalance that could damage drive components.  
“Tread Lightly” is an educational  
program designed to increase public  
awareness of land-use regulations  
and responsibilities in our nations  
wilderness areas. Ford Motor  
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land  
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and  
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”  
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain  
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  
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Driving  
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 roll  
over. It is better to back down to a  
safe location.  
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much  
power will 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; instead,  
disengage overdrive or manually  
shift to a lower gear. When  
descending a steep hill, avoid  
sudden hard braking as you could  
lose control. When you brake hard,  
the front wheels can’t turn and if  
they aren’t turning, you won’t be  
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning 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 anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not  
“pump” the brakes.  
Driving on snow and ice  
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but  
can skid like any other vehicle.  
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the  
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.  
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Driving  
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on  
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting  
from a full stop.  
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate  
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any  
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do  
not become overconfident as to road conditions.  
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles  
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower  
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use  
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing  
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you  
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,  
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle  
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the  
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to the Brakes section of  
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock  
brake system.  
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also  
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and  
swing around during braking.  
Tires, Replacement Requirements  
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that  
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect  
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an  
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious  
personal injury or death.  
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,  
tread design, brand and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions  
regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury  
dealer.  
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4WD for off-road use with tires  
larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you should not use  
these tires for highway driving.  
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor  
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause  
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased  
risk of loss of vehicle control.  
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Do not use “aftermarket lift kits” or other suspension modifications,  
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.  
These “aftermarket lift kits” could adversely affect the vehicle’s handling  
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and  
serious injury.  
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are  
damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more  
likely to blow out or fail.  
You should carefully observe the recommended tire inflation pressure  
found on the safety compliance certification label attached to the left  
front door lock facing or door latch post pillar. Failure to follow tire  
pressure recommendations can adversely affect the way your vehicle  
handles. Do not exceed the Ford Motor Company recommended pressure  
even if it is less than the maximum pressure allowed for the tire.  
Each day before you drive, check  
your tires. If one looks lower than  
the others, use a tire gauge to check  
pressure of all tires, and adjust if  
required. Check tire pressure with a  
tire gauge every few weeks  
(including spare). Safe operation  
requires tires that are neither  
underinflated nor a vehicle which is  
overloaded.  
Periodically inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or  
other objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes  
or cuts that may permit air leakage from the tire and make necessary  
repairs.  
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal  
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected  
in case it needs to be repaired or replaced.  
Maintenance and Modifications  
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed  
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty  
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor  
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such  
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by  
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.  
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make  
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.  
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Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle  
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box  
cover).  
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase  
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities  
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of  
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to  
heavy off-road usage.  
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)  
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD)  
transfer case. With the AWD option, power is supplied to all four wheels  
all the time with no need to shift between two-wheel drive and  
four-wheel drive.  
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer  
case refer to Capacities and specifications chapter.  
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different  
size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could  
make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage to  
driveline components.  
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not designed for  
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than  
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under  
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these  
vehicles.  
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles  
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and  
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat  
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.  
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles  
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your  
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without  
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.  
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle  
differently than an ordinary passenger car.  
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Related Topics

Driving

STARTING
BRAKES
ADVANCETRAC? STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
STEERING
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
VEHICLE LOADING
TRAILER TOWING
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)

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