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NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS

Utility vehicles and trucks handle

differently than passenger cars in

the various driving conditions that

are encountered on streets,

highways and off-road. Utility

vehicles and trucks 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.

WARNING: Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover

rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious

injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:

• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;

• Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;

• Keep tires properly inflated;

• Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and

• Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.

WARNING: In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is

significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use

appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.

Study your owner’s guide and any supplements for specific information

about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional

precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS

4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)

A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to

use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may

enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a

conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.

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Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power

transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as

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.

On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD

while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting

sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to

speed and is not cause for concern.

WARNING: Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD

and AWD vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may

accelerate better than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction

situations, it won’t stop any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.

Always drive at a safe speed.

How your vehicle differs from other vehicles

SUV and trucks can differ from

some other vehicles in a few

noticeable ways. Your vehicle may

be:

• Higher – to allow higher load

carrying capacity and to allow it

to travel over rough terrain

without getting hung up or

damaging underbody components.

• Shorter – to give it the capability

to approach inclines and drive

over the crest of a hill without

getting hung up or damaging

underbody components. All other

things held equal, a shorter

wheelbase may make your vehicle

quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer

wheelbase.

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• Narrower — to provide greater

maneuverability in tight spaces,

particularly in off-road use.

As a result of the above dimensional

differences, SUV’s and trucks often

will have a higher center of gravity

and a greater difference in center of

gravity between the loaded and

unloaded condition.

These differences that make your

vehicle so versatile also make it

handle differently than an ordinary

passenger car.

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

Tire Quality Grades apply to new

pneumatic passenger car tires. The

Quality grades can be found where

applicable on the tire sidewall

between tread shoulder and

maximum section width. For

example:

• Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United

States Department of Transportation has set.

Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic passenger car tires. They do

not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or

temporary use spare tires, light truck or “LT” type tires, tires with

nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as

defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).

U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades: The U.S.

Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you

the following information about tire grades exactly as the government

has written it.

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Tires, Wheels and Loading -> VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

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