2000 FORD EXPEDITION four wheel drive

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
Using your vehicle as a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
Package.
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.
Introduction
3

Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the START
position. Illuminates when
four-wheel drive low is engaged. If
the light continues to flash have the system serviced.
Four wheel drive indicator (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. Illuminates when 4x4 range
is engaged. If the light continues to flash have the system serviced.
Check air suspension
Illuminates momentarily when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is OFF. The light
also illuminates when the air
suspension system requires servicing.
For information on the air suspension system, refer to theDriving
chapter.
Low washer fluid
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the START position and
when the windshield washer fluid is
low.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
Speed control
²Standard analog instrument cluster
LOW
RANGE
4x4
CK
SUSP
DOOR
AJAR
CRUISE
Instrumentation
12

Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance for static, on and off-road driving conditions.
²The load leveling feature of the air suspension automatically keeps the
vehicle at a constant level if a load is added or removed from the
vehicle.
²The height adjustment feature automatically controls the vehicle
height over a range of approximately 5 cm (2 inches) based on vehicle
speed, ignition position and selection of two or four-wheel drive
modes.
²The air suspension automatically puts the vehicle at its lowest height
when ignition is OFF to provide easy entry and exit. When ever a door
is opened (including the liftgate) the system memorizes and maintains
the height of the vehicle until all doors are closed or until vehicle
exceeds 16km/h (10mph).
²The air suspension system raises the vehicle to its normal ride
position when the ignition is turned on, all doors are closed and the
transmission is shifted into gear.
²In 4WD Low the air suspension system will not move to its lowest
height. In 4WD Low, the air suspension system raises the vehicle
above the normal ride height at speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph) to
improve ground clearance. In 4WD Low, do not exceed 56 km/h (35
mph).
²When the vehicle is in motion, the air suspension system will adjust
the vehicle's height according to ground clearance and speed to
maximize ride comfort.
²It is normal to occasionally hear a buzz or clicking from the vehicle's
air suspension system when the ignition is turned off. The system
stays energized for 40 minutes after the ignition is turned off to
compensate for any load changes made after the vehicle is parked.
Driving
138

To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off the
ground, such as when changing a tire.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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 arenot
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 vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
Driving
140

Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift positions
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
Driving
142

higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear, and will
shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed.
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.
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.
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.
Driving
144

CONTROL-TRAC AUTOMATIC FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
Your 4x4 features the heavy-duty Control-Trac system which includes a
computer-operated transfer case. This unique system is interactive with
the road, continually monitoring and adjusting torque delivery to the
front and rear wheels to optimize vehicle control.
Positions of the Control-Trac system
The Control-Trac A4WD system
functions in three modes:
²A4WDposition delivers power to
the rear axle. If the rear wheels
lose traction, power will be
automatically delivered to the
front axle to maintain traction
throughout the slippery condition.
²4Hposition provides
mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power delivery to front and rear axles.
²4Lposition provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive when above
average power at reduced speeds is required.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned 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.
4HA4WD4L
Driving
145

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 in mud or snow 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.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels 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 the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
Driving
147