2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC Owners Manual

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between 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.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
Your automatic transmission electronically controls the shift feel by using
an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to increase
durability, and provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. It
is normal for a new transmission to shift firmly. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function durability of the
transmission. Once the vehicle is at operating temperature it may take
several shifts at the same operating condition for the transmission to
properly adapt. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. The more varied the driving habits, speed and
torque, the longer it may take to adapt but the more complete the
process will be.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
Driving
137

Understanding gearshift positions
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)
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of 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 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 position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
Driving
138

(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in
the
(Overdrive) position. The TCIL will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through four. Drive (O/D
OFF) provides more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
whenever driving conditions (i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.) cause the
transmission to excessively shift between
(Overdrive) and other
gears. Deactivate
(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal
(Overdrive) mode.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
139

1 (First)
Use 1 (First) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear and will
shift to 1 (First) after the vehicle decelerates to the proper vehicle
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: fourth, third, second
or first gear.
Driving a manual transmission (if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have a starter interlock
that prevents Starting the engine
unless the clutch pedal is fully
depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transmission:
1. Hold down the brake pedal.
2. Put the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral).
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Start 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.
Driving
140

Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 22 km/h (14 mph)
2-3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3-4 55 km/h (34 mph)
4-5 70 km/h (44 mph)
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 19 km/h (12 mph)
2-3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3-4 46 km/h (29 mph)
4-5 61 km/h (38 mph)
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 lever into N and wait at least several seconds before
shifting into R.
Parking
1. Apply the brake and shift into N
(Neutral).
Driving
141

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.
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.
Driving
142

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.
²4WD HIGH±momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4H
(4WD High) is engaged.
²4WD LOW±momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4L
(4WD Low) is engaged.
Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift system
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)
Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
HIGH position.
²At temperatures below 0ÉC
(32ÉF), shifts from 2WD to 4X4
HIGH should not be performed
above 72 km/h (45 mph).
Do not shift into 4X4 HIGH with
the rear wheels slipping.
4WD
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Driving
143

Shifting from 4X4 HIGH (4WD high) to 2WD (2WD high)
Move the 4WD control to 2WD
position at any forward speed.
²Yo udo notneed to operate the
vehicle in R (Reverse) to
disengage the 4WD system.
Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4X4 LOW (4WD low)
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 4X4
LOW position.
5. Wait for the 4WD low indicator
light to illuminate.
Shifting from 4X4 LOW (4WD low) to 2WD (2WD high)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Driving
144