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Shifting from 4H to 4L (and 4L to 4H)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4H
(or 4L) position.
Shifting to A4WD
Move the 4WD control back to
A4WD at a stop or at speeds up to
88 km/h (55 mph).
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“Four Wheeling”supplement in
your owner’s portfolio.
4HA4WD4L
4HA4WD4L
Driving
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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.
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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
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
Driving
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the 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.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
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Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind
a Motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need for
recreational towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged.
2WD vehicles (with automatic transmissions)
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 56 km (35 mph)
•Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles)
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km (35 mph) must be
exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed while the vehicle is
being towed.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
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4WD vehicles electronic shift transfer case (with automatic
transmissions)
4x4 vehicles with electronic shift on the fly cannot be towed with any
wheels on the ground.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
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Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located below and to the left of the steering wheel by
the brake pedal. Remove the panel cover to access the fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided on the fuse panel
cover.
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
1 25A Audio
2 5A Overhead Trip Computer, Electronic
Automatic Temperature Control (EATC),
Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
Cluster
3 20A Cigar Lighter, OBD-II Scan Tool
Connector
FUSE1 12 22
21323
617 27
718 28
819 29
930
20
31 21 11 10
RELAY
5 RELAY
4 RELAY
3 RELAY
2 RELAY
1
31424
41525
51626
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
16 20A Headlamps (Hi Beams), Cluster (Hi Beam
Indicator)
17 10A Heated Mirrors, Heated Grid Switch
Indicator
18 5A Instrument Illumination (Dimmer Switch
Power)
19—Not Used
20 5A Audio, Air Suspension Module, GEM
Module, Memory Module
21 15A Starter Relay, Fuse 20, Transmission
Range Switch
22 10A Air Bag Module, Intelligent Passenger
Airbag Deactivation Module
23 10A Aux A/C, Heated Seats, Trailer Tow
Battery Charge, Turn/Hazard Flasher, 4x4
Clutch Relay, Overhead Console, E/C
Mirror, 4 Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
(4WABS) Module
24 10A EATC Module, EATC Blower Relay,
Climate Control Switch Assembly, Feeds
Fuse 7
25—Not Used
26 10A Right Side Low Beam Headlamp
27 5A Foglamp Relay and Foglamp Indicator
28 10A Left Side Low Beam Headlamp
29 5A Autolamp Module, Transmission
Overdrive Control Switch
30 30A Passive Anti Theft Transceiver, Cluster,
Ignition Coils, Powertrain Control Module
Relay
31 10A Rear Integrated Control Panel (Audio),
CD Player
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
16—Not Used
17 10A* Flip Windows
18 15A* Powertrain Control Module, Fuel
Injectors, Fuel Pump, Mass Air Flow
Sensor
19 10A* Trailer Tow Stop and Right Turn Lamp
20 10A* Trailer Tow Stop and Left Turn Lamp
21—Not Used
22—Not Used
23 15A* HEGO Sensors, Canister Vent,
Automatic Transmission, CMS Sensor
24—Not Used
101 30A** Trailer Tow Battery Charge
102 50A** Four Wheel Antilock Brake Module
103 50A** Junction Block Battery Feed
104 30A** 4x4 Shift Motor & Clutch
105 40A** Climate Control Front Blower
106—Not Used
107—Not Used
108 30A** Trailer Tow Electric Brake
109 50A** Air Suspension Compressor
110 30A** Heated Seats
111 40A** Ignition Switch Battery Feed (Run/Start
Circuit)
112 30A** Drivers Power Seat, Adjustable Pedals,
Memory Module
113 40A** Ignition Switch Battery Feed (Run and
Accessory Circuits)
114 30A** Climate Control Auxiliary Blower
115—Not Used
116 40A** Rear Window Defroster, Heated Mirrors
117—Not Used
Roadside emergencies
187