2001 FORD EXPEDITION four wheel drive

SPECIAL NOTICES
Using your vehicle with 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
“Four Wheeling”supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Introduction
5

Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates after the
engine is started. 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 after the
engine is started. 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 switch is turned OFF or 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 ON position and when
the windshield washer fluid is low.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door is
open. It may also momentarily
illuminate after the engine is started
and all doors are closed.
LOW
RANGE
4x4
CK
SUSP
DOOR
AJAR
Instrumentation
14

Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving 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.
•The 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.
•The 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.
•The 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).
•The 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.
•In 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).
•When 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.
•It 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
156

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
158

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,
damage to the transfer case, increased tire wear, decreased fuel
economy and difficulty turning.
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.
Driving
163

Positions of the Control-Trac system
The Control-Trac A4WD system
functions in three modes:
•A4WDposition 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.
•4Hposition provides
mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power delivery to front and rear axles.
•4Lposition 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.
Using the Control-Trac system
Shifting from A4WD to 4H
Move the 4WD control from A4WD
to 4H at any forward speed up to 88
km/h (55 mph).
At temperatures below 0°C (32°F),
shifts from A4WD to 4H should not
be performed above 72 km/h
(45 mph).
4HA4WD4L
4HA4WD4L
Driving
164

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
165

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
166