BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring
obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of diesel-powered vehicles
Read the 7.3 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner's
Guide Supplement for information regarding correct operation and
maintenance of your diesel-powered light truck.
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner's Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. 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 readDriving off roadin theDrivingchapter as well as the
ªFour Wheelingº supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Snowplowing
The Excursion is not recommended for snowplow installation. Ford
makes no representation as to the suitability of the Excursion for
snowplowing, in particular regarding the potential for exceeding vehicle
weight limits, airbag (SRS) deployment sensitivity, vehicle crash integrity,
or powertrain durability. The Snowplow Package Option is not available.
Introduction
3
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
OFF
POWER POINT
OFFA/CMAX
A/C
FM 1
AMC
BL RF
REW FFSCAN
BASS TREB SEL BALTAPE DISC
EJ CD
FADEAUTO
CLK
SIDE 1-2COMP SHUFFLEEJ
MUTE
VOL PUSH ON
SEEK
TUNE AM FM
12 3456
DOLBY B NR
ST
Climate
control system
(pg. 22) Gearshift lever
(pg. 115)
Auxiliary
power point
(pg. 21) Reverse
sensing system*
(pg. 19)Rear window
defroster control
(pg. 26)Electronic
sound system
(pg. 27)
4WD selector*
(pg. 19)
Power adjustable
foot pedals*
(pg. 54)
Instrumentation
7
4WD CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
This control operates the 4WD.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for
more information.
Reverse sensing system (if equipped)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the reverse gear is selected.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations on the reverse sensing system described below.
Reverse sensing is only an assist for some (generally large and fixed)
objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at ªparking speedsº of
approximately 6 km/h (4 mph) or less. The weather may also affect the
function of RSS. RSS may have reduced performance, or be activated
in inclement weather. It is the driver's responsibility for ensuring that
their path is clear when operating the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in
reverse and when using the reverse sensing system.
This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
The RSS will assist the driver in detecting certain objects while the
vehicle slowly moves in reverse at speeds less than 6 km/h (4 mph). The
RSS is not effective at speeds greater than 6 km/h (4 mph) and may not
detect certain angular or moving objects.
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Controls and features
19
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The
transmission will downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first
gear.
Shift strategy (4R100 automatic transmission)
To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your 4R100
automatic transmission electronically controls the shift quality by using
an adaptive learning strategy. The adaptive learning strategy is
maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected
or a new battery is installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers
(miles) of operation.
If the shift quality does not improve within a few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation, or if the downshifts and other
throttle conditions do not function normally, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
POWER TAKE OFF (PTO)
Your vehicle is not designed to be equipped with a Power Take Off
(PTO). For PTO usage, a special transmission case, internal components
and calibration are required. Ford Motor Company does not recommend
the installation of a PTO system.
Damage resulting from the use of a PTO system may not be covered by
your warranty.
Do not subject your Excursion to any auxiliary power take off
applications as this could overheat the fuel tank and increase the
risk of personal injury.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
Driving
119
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and the
instrument panel control is moved to 4WD Low while the vehicle
is moving, the system will not engage and no damage will occur to
the 4WD system. Before 4WD Low can be engaged, the vehicle
must be at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed and
the transmission in N (Neutral).
4H or 4L operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing
so could result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case,
increased tire wear and decreased fuel economy.
Electronic shift on the fly (ESOF) 4x4 system
The 4WD system:
²provides 4x4 High engagement and disengagement while the vehicle is
moving.
²is operated by a rotary control located on the instrument panel that
allows you select 2WD, 4x4 High or 4x4 Low operation.
²uses hub locks that can be engaged and disengaged automatically by
using a rotary control located on the instrument panel.
²automatic hub locks can be
manually overridden by rotating
the hub lock control from AUTO
to LOCK. Automatic operation of
the hub locks is recommended.
²For proper operation, make
sure that the arrow and the
indicator dot on the hub are
aligned.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate when driving in 2WD, contact your
Ford dealer as soon as possible.
Driving
120
²4x4-momentarily illuminates
when the vehicle is started.
Illuminates when 4x4 High or 4x4
LOW is engaged.
²LOW RANGE±momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4x4
Low is engaged.
Using the electronic shift 4WD system
Positions of the electronic shift system
To prevent damage, the electronic shift 4WD system is designed
to allow up to 45 seconds before the shift command is performed.
In the event that conflicting shift commands are selected, allow
up to 45 seconds for the shift command to be performed prior to
reporting any shift concerns to your dealer.
2WD (2WD High)± Power to rear axle only.
4x4 HIGH (4WD High)± Power delivered to front and rear axles for
increased traction.
4x4 LOW (4WD Low)± Power to front and rear axles at low speeds.
Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4x4 HIGH (4WD high)
Rotate the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH position at speeds up to 88
km/h (55 mph).
²To prevent damage, the
electronic shift 4WD system is
designed to engage 4x4 HIGH
(4WD high) when the vehicle
is moving. If the 4x4 indicator
light does not illuminate when
shifting a vehicle that is
stationary, start the vehicle
moving. Once the vehicle is moving, 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) will
engage and the 4x4 indicator will illuminate.
Do not shift into 4x4 HIGH with the rear wheels slipping.
4x4
LOW
RANGE
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Driving
121
Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) to 2WD (2WD high)
Rotate the 4WD control to 2WD at
any forward speed. Disengagement
of the transfer case and front hubs
may be delayed due to torque bind
which is caused by driving on dry
hard surfaces or performing tight
turns while using the 4WD system.
²Yo udo notneed to operate the
vehicle in R (Reverse) to
disengage your front hubs.
Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) to 4x4 LOW (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4x4
LOW position.
5. Hold the shift command until the
LOW RANGE indicator light
illuminates.
6. If the LOW RANGE indicator light
does notilluminate after 15
seconds, start the vehicle moving,
then repeat steps 1 through 5
before reporting any shift concerns
to your dealer.
Shifting from 4x4 LOW (4WD low) to 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) or
2WD (2WD high)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
Driving
122
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH (4WD high) or 2WD (2WD
high) position.
5. Hold the shift command until the
LOW RANGE indicator light shuts
off.
6. If the LOW RANGE indicator light
does notshut off after 15 seconds,
start the vehicle moving, then
repeat steps 1 through 5 before
reporting any shift concerns to your dealer.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
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. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from 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.
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
Driving
123