2004 FORD EXPEDITION Owners Manual

CONTROL TRAC FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
If equipped with the Control Trac 4x4 System, and 4L (4x4 LOW)
is selected while the vehicle is moving, the system will not
engage. This is normal and should be no reason for concern.
Before 4L (4x4 LOW) can be engaged, the vehicle must be
brought to a complete stop, the brake pedal depressed and the
transmission placed in N (Neutral).
The vehicle should not be operated in 4H (4x4 HIGH) or 4L (4x4 LOW)
on dry pavement. Doing so could result in difficult disengagement of the
transfer case, increased tire wear, decreased fuel economy and may
damage driveline components.
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.
System indicator lights
The Control Trac system indicator lights illuminate only under the
following conditions. If these lights illuminate when driving in 2H or
A4WD, contact your Ford dealer as soon as possible.
•4X4 HIGH- momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4H is
selected.
•4X4 LOW–momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4L is
selected.
4x4
HIGH
4x4
LOW
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Positions of the Control Trac system
The Control Trac system functions
in four modes:
•2H (2WD HIGH)delivers power
to the rear wheels only. This is
appropriate for normal on-road
driving on dry pavement.
•A4WD (4X4 AUTO)provides
electronic control four-wheel
drive with power delivered to all
four wheels, as required, for
increased traction. This is appropriate for all on-road driving
conditions, such as dry road surfaces, wet pavement, snow or gravel.
•4H (4X4 HIGH)provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive power
to front and rear wheels. The“4X4”light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster when this position is selected. This position is not
recommended for use on dry pavement. This position is only intended
for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow, ice or
shallow sand.
•4L (4X4 LOW)provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive when
extra power at reduced speeds is required. The“4X4 LOW”light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster when this position is selected.
This position is not recommended for use on dry pavement. Use this
position for off-road low-speed operation or when extra power is
required, such as climbing steep grades, going through deep sand or
pulling a boat out of the water.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac
, the
AdvanceTrac
system will automatically turn off the stability
enhancement feature when you shift the Control Trac A4WD system into
4L (4X4 LOW). The brake traction enhancement feature will still be
enabled.
The AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement system can be turned off
manually by pressing the AdvanceTrac
button (refer toAdvanceTrac

Stability Enhancement Systemin this chapter) while operating in 2H,
A4WD or 4H while driving in deep sand, very deep snow or more
strenuous off-road maneuvers. This will disable the engine management
feature, allowing the vehicle to maintain full power and enhanced
momentum through the obstacle.
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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.
Note:The Control Trac selector knob should not be changed while the
rear wheels are slipping.
Using the Control Trac system
Shifting from 2H to A4WD or 4H
Move the control to the A4WD or
4H position at any forward speed up
to 88 km/h (55 mph). The“4X4”
light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate if 4H is selected.
Shifting from A4WD to 4H
Move the control from A4WD to 4H
at a stop or while driving at any
speed.
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Shifting from 2H, A4WD or 4H to 4L
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop and
keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
3. Move the control to the 4L
position.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages.
Shifting from 4L to 4H, A4WD or 2H
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop and
keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
3. Move the control to the 4H,
A4WD or 2H position.
Note:Some noise may be heard as
the system shifts or engages.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
Four–wheel drive vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand,
snow, mud and rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
The AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement system can be turned off
manually by pressing the AdvanceTrac
button (refer toAdvanceTrac

Stability Enhancement Systemin this chapter) while operating in 2H,
A4WD or 4H while driving in deep sand, very deep snow or more
strenuous off-road maneuvers. This will disable the engine management
feature, allowing the vehicle to maintain full power and enhanced
momentum through the obstacle.
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How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
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. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
•Do not use 4H (4x4 HIGH) or 4L (4x4 LOW) on dry, hard surfaced
roads. This may damage the drivelines and axles.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application. Ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
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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 loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
If your vehicle gets stuck
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 the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key 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.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid“over-driving”your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
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called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
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 loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Control Trac four–wheel drive system
When a four–wheel drive mode is selected, the Control Trac system uses
all four wheels to power the vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On
four–wheel drive vehicles, the
transfer case allows you to select
four–wheel drive when necessary.
Information on transfer case
operation and shifting procedures
can be found in this chapter.
Information on transfer case maintenance can be found in the
Maintenance and specificationschapter. You should become
thoroughly familiar with this information before you operate your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some four–wheel drive models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive
to four–wheel drive while the vehicle is moving can cause some
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momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is the front drivetrain
coming up to speed and engaging the front wheels, and is not cause for
concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system, the system indicator light may illuminate depending on how
much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac
, press the AdvanceTrac

button (refer toAdvanceTrac
Stability Enhancement Systemin this
chapter) while driving in deep sand if you experience excessive engine
power reduction.
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.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even four–wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
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