1996 FORD EXPLORER four wheel drive

4
%*
[IN04000(ALL)01/95]
Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan
*
[IN04100(ALL)01/94]
If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can buy a Ford
Extended Service Plan for your vehicle. This optional contract
provides service protection for a longer period of time than the
basic warranty that comes with your vehicle.
*
[IN04200(ALL)01/95]
You do not have to buy this option when you buy your vehicle.
However, your option to purchase the Ford Extended Service
Plan runs out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your dealer
for more details about the Ford Extended Service Plan.
*
[IN04250(ALL)01/95]
If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not take
advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the time of
purchase, you may still be eligible. See your dealer for the
details.
%*
[IN04650(ALL)06/92]
Special Notice
%*
[IN04700( X)11/89]
NOTICE TO OWNERS OF UTILITY-TYPE
VEHICLES
%*
[IN04810( X)11/89]
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be
sure to read theAdditional Special Driving Instructions for Utility
Vehiclesin this book and the special supplement included with
four-wheel drive vehicles entitled4-Wheeling with Ford.
[IN04815( X)12/95]
Although this special supplement is primarily directed to
four-wheel drive vehicle operators, these principles of safe
driving also apply to operators of the two-wheel drive Explorer.
Even though you may not select a 4WD or AWD option for
your Explorer, many of its operating characteristics are similar
to those of a four-wheel drive vehicle. For this reason, Ford
urges you to read and understand the contents of the4-Wheeling
with Fordsupplement.
File:02uninx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 08:58:20 1996

Features
169
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[FV19200(ALL)02/95]
When unlocking the vehicle with a key, turn the key all the
way to the end of its travel or the system may not disarm.
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[FV19202(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: The flashing lights and honking horn will shut off
automatically within 2 minutes 45 seconds after the
system is triggered. It will trigger again if another
intrusion occurs. However, the starter circuit remains
disabled until the system is disarmed.
*
[FV19205(ALL)05/95]
The anti-theft system is designed to work with the factory
installed remote entry system. It may not work with other
remote entry systems.
[FV19210( X)06/94]
Automatic Ride Control System
(If equipped)
[FV19213( X)03/95]
The automatic ride control system is designed to improve ride,
handling, and general vehicle performance for both on and
off-road conditions by adjusting vehicle ride height and shock
dampening (firm or soft).
[FV19216( X)08/94]
The system automatically controls the vehicle ride height over a
range of approximately two inches based on vehicle speed and
selection of two or four wheel drive modes. Also, the system
keeps the vehicle at a constant level if a load is added to or
removed from the vehicle.
[FV19218( X)03/95]
The automatic ride control system places the vehicle at its
lowest height when two wheel drive is selected. Shock
dampening is automatically set based on driver and road inputs
to optimize ride.
[FV19220( X)03/95]
The automatic ride control system raises the vehicle
approximately one inch when Auto 4WD is selected. However,
if vehicle speed exceeds 58 mph (93 km/h), the system will
lower the vehicle to its two wheel drive height to maximize ride
comfort. The vehicle will raise again if vehicle speed is less than
30 mph (48 km/h) for one minute. Like the two wheel drive
mode, shock dampening is automatically set based on driver
and road inputs.
File:08unfvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 13:56:40 1996

256
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[DR16101(ALL)03/95]
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) System
(If equipped)
[DR16130(ALL)10/94]
When you select the 4WD mode, your vehicle uses all four
wheels to power itself. This increases traction, enabling you to
drive your 4x4 over terrain and road conditions not travelled
normally by two-wheel drive vehicles.
*
[DR16160(ALL)10/94]
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case that
allows you to select four-wheel drive when necessary. Methods
for engaging and disengaging 4WD and low range will depend
on which system your vehicle has.
[DR17585( X)01/95]
4WD Systems Ð Control Trac
[DR17615( X)01/95]
The Control Trac 4WD system functions in three modes. In
two-wheel drive mode, power is delivered only to the rear axle.
The 4WD AUTO position provides four-wheel drive with full
power delivered to the rear axle, and to the front axle as
required for increased traction. The 4WD LOW position
provides four-wheel drive with full power delivered to the front
and rear axles when above average power is required at
reduced speeds.
[DR17645( X)01/95]
Four-wheel drive operation (4WD LOW) on dry pavement is not
recommended. Operating the vehicle in 4WD LOW on dry
pavement will increase noise, vibration, tire wear, and decrease
fuel economy.
[DR17690( X)08/94]
Control Trac system indicator lights
[DR17735( X)03/95]
A 4WD indicator light and a 4WD LOW indicator light are
located in the instrument cluster. If either light flashes, take
your vehicle in for service.
[DR17750(ALL)01/95]
n
Two-Wheel Drive mode Ð Neither the 4WD nor the 4WD
LOW lights are lit.
[DR17790( X)1/96]
n
4WD Auto mode Ð Only the 4WD light is lit.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996

258
[DR18230( X)10/94]
Toshiftfrom4WDAUTOor2WDto4WDLOW:
[DR18290( X)01/95]
Stop the vehicle, depress the brake and place the automatic
transmission in N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on vehicles
with a manual transmission. Rotate the 4WD switch on the
instrument panel to 4WD LOW. Both the 4WD and 4WD LOW
lights are now lit.
[DR18293( X)06/95]
For Explorers equipped with Automatic Ride Control:
[DR18294( X)06/95]
After shifting to 4WD LOW, wait about 90 seconds. This will
improve ground clearance and off-road handling. Refer to
Automatic Ride Controlin the Features chapter.
[DR18320( X)08/94]
To shift from 4WD LOW to 4WD AUTO or 2WD:
[DR18400( X)01/95]
Stop the vehicle, depress the brake and place the automatic
transmission into N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on vehicles
with a manual transmission. Rotate the 4WD switch on the
instrument panel to 4WD AUTO or 2WD.
[DR18500(ALL)03/95]
It is not recommended to operate the vehicle in the 4WD modes
with a temporary spare. If 4WD operation is necessary, do not
operate at speeds above 10 mph or for distances above 50 miles.
Extended operation in 4WD with a temporary spare may result
in damage to drivetrain components.
[DR18600( X)12/95]
All-Wheel Drive System (If equipped)
[DR18620( X)12/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), power
is constantly supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case.
The AWD system is full-time and has no external controls.
[DR18630( X)12/95]
The AWD transfer case utilizes a viscous clutch that distributes
torque to the front and rear differentials (approximately 35%
front and 65% rear). The viscous clutch is filled with a
high-viscosity fluid, see
Lubricant Specifications
in the
Servicing
Your Explorer
chapter for more information.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996

Driving Your Explorer
259
[DR18640( X)1/96]
Vehicles equipped with AWD are more capable of superior
traction in wet and dry conditions than 2-wheel drive vehicles.
AWD vehicles are also capable of being driven on sand, snow,
mud, and rough terrain and have operating characteristics that
are the same as vehicles equipped with 4WD. For more
information on driving off-road, see
Driving Off Road with
4-Wheel Drive
and AWDand the
Four Wheeling With Ford
supplement in your owner's portfolio.
%*
[DR19200(ALL)12/95]
Driving Off Road with 4-Wheel Drive and AWD
*
[DR19300(ALL)12/95]
Vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are
especially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud, or rough
terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both off and on the road.
The driving tips below will help you learn to use four-wheel
drive.
*
[DR19400( X)10/94]
n
Do not use 4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced roads.
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[DR19600(ALL)11/89]
n
Special maintenance procedures are necessary after operating
with drive components in water.
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[DR19800(ALL)12/95]
When using four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, 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 rim from
the outside. Do not grip the spokes.
*
[DR19900(ALL)05/90]
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps. Know the terrain or examine maps of
the area in question before driving. Map out your route
beforehand. To maintain steering and braking control of your
vehicle, you must have all four tires on the ground, and they
must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
[DR19925(ALL)10/94]
Transmission upshift in 4WD with transfer case in 4WD LOW
may be quite firm due to large total gear reduction. This
condition is normal.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996

260
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[DR20000(ALL)11/89]
Sand
*
[DR20100(ALL)11/89]
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels of the
vehicle on the most solid area of the trail. Do not reduce the
tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
*
[DR20200(ALL)11/89]
Mud and Water
*
[DR20300(ALL)12/89]
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.
*
[DR20400(ALL)11/89]
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.
*
[DR20500(ALL)11/89]
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance which could damage drive
components.
*
[DR20525(ALL)06/95]
NOTE: If the transmission and transfer case is submerged in
water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if
necessary.
*
[DR20650( X)11/89]
Additional Special Driving Instructions for
Utility Vehicles
*
[DR20701(ALL)11/89]
Driving on Hill or Slope Terrain
[DR20800(ALL)08/94]
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes, you could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive
straight up, straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know
the conditions on the other side of a hill before driving over the
crest.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996

Driving Your Explorer
261
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[DR20900(ALL)11/89]
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear, rather than
finding it necessary to downshift from a higher gear after the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on the engine and the
possibility of stalling.
*
[DR21000(ALL)11/89]
When descending a steep hill avoid sudden braking. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will help slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
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[DR21101(ALL)11/89]
Driving on Snow or Ice
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[DR21200(ALL)12/95]
A four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle has advantages
over two-wheel drive vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like
any other vehicle. If so equipped, keep the vehicle in four-wheel
drive if icy or slippery conditions exist.
*
[DR21300(ALL)11/89]
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of
direction on snow or ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
*
[DR21310(ALL)05/95]
All utility-type and Four-Wheel Drive vehicles have special
design and equipment features to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific
design characteristics give them higher centers of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars.
*
[DR21325(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
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.
%*
[DR21400(ALL)03/95]
Brakes
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[DR21500(ALL)01/93]
Front Disc Brakes
*
[DR21600(ALL)06/95]
The front disc brakes are self-adjusting. They do not require
service other than periodic inspection for pad wear.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996

262
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[DR21700( X)07/93]
Rear Disc Brakes
[DR21800( X)06/94]
The rear disc brakes are self-adjusting. They do not require any
service other than periodic inspection for pad wear.
*
[DR22100(ALL)11/89]
Hydraulic Power Brakes
[DR22200(ALL)08/94]
The hydraulic brake system is made up of two independent
hydraulic circuits. One hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to the
front disc brakes and the other hydraulic circuit supplies fluid
to the rear drum or disc brakes. These two circuits are supplied
by a common hydraulic brake fluid reservoir, with a fluid level
sensor.
*
[DR22300(ALL)11/89]
The brake light in the instrument cluster will light for low brake
fluid in the common brake fluid reservoir.
*
[DR22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
An increase in pedal travel will result in reduced braking
capability. The brake system should be checked
immediately.
[DR22905(ALL)10/94]
Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System
*
[DR22910( X)08/94]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-lock Braking
System (4WABS). The 4WABS helps the driver to maintain
vehicle control by preventing wheel lockup during hard
braking.
*
[DR22915(ALL)03/94]
The 4WABS operates with a computer that is able to optimize
vehicle control during braking on varying tire and road
conditions by modulating the brake pressure at each of the front
wheels and the rear axle. This ªpumping actionº is similar to
the driver ªpumpingº the brakes but happens at a much faster
rate.
File:10undrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:12:36 1996