1997 FORD EXPLORER transmission

D DriveNot shown on the display.
Activate by pressing the
transmission control switch.
O/D
OFFwill illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than
D(Overdrive) and
is useful when towing a trailer or
heavy loads through heavy terrain.
To return to
D(Overdrive)
mode, press the transmission
control switch.
O/D
OFFwill turn off.
When starting your vehicle, the
transmission will automatically
return to normal
D(Overdrive)
mode.
2 SecondUse the 2 (Second)
position to start-up on slippery
roads or to provide additional
braking on downgrades.
Transmission operates in third
gear.
1 LowUse the 1 (Low) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts may
be made by shifting to the 2
(Second) position or to
D(Overdrive). Selecting the 1
(Low) position at high speeds
causes the transmission to
downshift through the gears and
will shift to 1 (Low) after the
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
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Driving a manual transmission
(if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have a starter
interlock that prevents cranking
the engine unless the clutch pedal
is fully depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transmission:
1. Put the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral).
2. Hold down the brake pedal.
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Crank the engine and let it idle
for a few seconds.
²Put the gearshift in 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
5. Release the clutch slowly while
pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
²Do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal. Do
not use the clutch to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions
may reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshifts when accelerating (for best fuel economy)
Shift from:Transfer case position
4AUTO or 4H 4L
1-214 km/h (10
mph)5 km/h (4 mph)
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Parking
1. Apply the brake and shift into N
(Neutral).
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn the ignition to Off.
Do not park your vehicle
in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and
set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
Ensure that the vehicle is at a
complete stop before shifting into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may
damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift into N and wait
at least several seconds before
shifting into R.
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Using the Control Trac system
Shifting between 4WD AUTO
and 4WD HIGH
Either shift can be done at a stop,
or at any forward speed.
²The 4WD HIGH light will
illuminate when you switch the
control to 4WD HIGH or turn off
if you switch to 4WD AUTO.
Shifting from 4WD AUTO or
4WD HIGH to 4WD LOW
To perform this shift, complete the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle and depress the
brake.
2. Place the automatic
transmission in N (Neutral) or
depress the manual transmission
clutch.
3. Rotate the 4WD control to 4WD
LOW.
Shifting from 4WD LOW to 4WD
AUTO or 4WD HIGH
To perform this shift, complete the
following steps:
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress and hold the brake.
3. Place the automatic
transmission gearshift lever in N
(Neutral) or depress the manual
transmission clutch.
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH position.
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accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Driving through mud and water
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.
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.
If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
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When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden braking. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will
help slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
When speed control is on and you
are driving uphill, your vehicle
speed may drop considerably,
especially if you are carrying a
heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than
15±25 km/h (8±14 mph), the speed
control will cancel automatically.
Resume speed with accelerator
pedal.
If speed control cancels after
climbing the hill, reset speed by
pressing and holding the SET
ACCEL button (to resume speeds
over 50 km/h (30 mph).
Automatic transmission may shift
frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting
by shifting out of
D(Overdrive)
into D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
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.
When braking, apply the brakes as
you normally would. In order to
allow the anti-lock brake system
(ABS) to operate properly, keep
steady pressure on the brake
pedal.
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TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towingin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
²Speed control may shut off if
you are towing on long, steep
grades.
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Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer toLoading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transmission system if
you are planning on:
²towing farther than 80 km (50
miles)
²towing in hilly terrain
²towing frequently
Trailer towing tables
TRAILER TOWING TABLE 4X2 MANUAL TRANSMISSION
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine
(EFI)Rear Axle
RatioMaximum
GCWR
Kg(Lb)Trailer Weight
Range Kg(lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area of
Trailer Ft
2
2-DOOR
4.0 L 3.272,721
(6,000)0-907
(0-2,000)50
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