Get Driving -> ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Driving

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 if the rear wheels are slipping.

Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW (4WD Low)

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop

2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).

3. Press the desired 4WD position.

• 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.

If any of the above shift conditions are not met, the shift will not occur

and the message center will display the appropriate information.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)

For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer

case refer to Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: 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.

Normal operation (4.0L engine vehicles only)

The AWD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is

capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway

driving as well as off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow

sand.

298

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

Normal operation (4.6L engine vehicles only)

During normal operation the AWD system is in AWD AUTO mode (AWD

LOCKED will illuminate in the message center for four seconds when

you first start your vehicle). The 4X4 indicator in the instrument cluster

will briefly illuminate when you first start your vehicle.

For instructions on selecting the AWD LOCKED mode, refer to Message

center in the Instrument Cluster chapter. This mode is not intended for

use on dry pavement. This mode is appropriate for severe winter or

off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand. The use of

AWD LOCKED on dry or hard surfaces may produce some noise, such as

occasional clunks, but will not damage the drive system.

Autolock operation (4.6L engine vehicles only)

If the AWD system begins to overheat, the system will place itself in the

Autolock mode:

• AWD LOCKED will be displayed in the message center for four

seconds and the 4x4 indicator light will illuminate in the instrument

cluster. A warning chime will also sound. This condition may clear

without any action being taken by the driver once the AWD system

has reached a safe operating temperature.

• The 4X4 indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn off when

the AWD system reaches a safe operating temperature and normal

AWD operation is restored.

Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles

AWD and 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.

299

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

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 High or 4WD Low on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing

so will produce excessive noise, increase tire wear, reduce fuel

economy 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

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.

WARNING: 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.

300

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

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.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake

warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized dealer.

WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).

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.

301

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

WARNING: 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.

4WD Systems

4WD 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 this 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.

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.

WARNING: 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.

302

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake

warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized dealer.

AWD Systems (if equipped)

AWD 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.

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.

Note: The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light may

illuminate depending on how much air is released from your tires and/or

how long you drive the vehicle under these conditions.

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.

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 AWD and 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.

303

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

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

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.

304

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

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

AWD and 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.

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 an AWD or 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.

305

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving

WARNING: If you are driving in slippery conditions that require

tire cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously. Keep

speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid aggressive

steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control which can

lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle slides

while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain

control of the vehicle.

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.

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.

306

2010 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide, 2nd Printing

USA (fus)

Driving -> ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Related Topics

Driving