USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
WARNING
For important information regardingsafe operation of this type of vehicle,see General Information in theWheels and Tires chapter.
Note:Do not use 4H or 4L mode on dry,hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produceexcessive noise, increase tire wear and maydamage drive components. 4H and 4L modeis only intended for consistently slippery orloose surfaces.
Note:If 4L mode is selected while yourvehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h),the 4WD system will not perform a shift.This is normal and should be no reason forconcern. Refer to Shifting to or from 4L forproper operation.
4WD Indicator Lights
The indicator lights illuminate in theinformation display in the reconfigurabletelltale (RTT) location under the followingconditions. See Warning Lamps andIndicators (page 87).
Note:When a 4X4 system fault is present,the system will typically remain in whichever4WD mode was selected prior to the faultcondition occurring. It will not default to 4X2in all circumstances. When this warning isdisplayed, have your vehicle serviced by anauthorized dealer.
4X2
Momentarily illuminates when2H is selected.
4X4 AUTO
Continuously illuminates when4A is selected.
4X4 HIGH
Continuously illuminates when4H is selected.
4X4 LOW
Continuously illuminates when4L is selected.
4WD Switch Positions
WARNING
Utility and four-wheel drive vehiclesare not designed for cornering atspeeds as high as passenger cars anymore than low-slung sports cars aredesigned to perform satisfactorily underoff-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns orabrupt maneuvers in these vehicles.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac® with RSC®, the system willautomatically turn off the stabilityenhancement feature when you shift the4WD system into 4L (4X4 LOW). You canmanually turn the system off by pressingthe AdvanceTrac button. See UsingTraction Control (page 176). This willdisable the engine management feature,allowing the vehicle to maintain full powerand enhanced momentum through theobstacle. The brake traction enhancementfeature will still be enabled.
Note:The Control Trac® selector switchshould not be changed while the rear wheelsare slipping.
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The Control Trac® system functions in fourmodes:
•2H delivers power to the rear wheelsonly. The information display willmomentarily display 2H when thismode is selected. This mode isappropriate for normal on-road drivingon dry pavement and provides the bestfuel economy.
•4A provides electronic controlfour-wheel drive with power deliveredto all four wheels, as required, forincreased traction. The informationdisplay will display 4A when this modeis selected. This mode is appropriatefor all on-road driving conditions, suchas dry road surfaces, wet pavement,snow, or gravel.
•4H provides electronically lockedfour-wheel drive power to front andrear wheels. The information displaywill display 4H when this mode isselected. This mode is notrecommended for use on drypavement. This mode is only intendedfor severe winter or off-road conditions,such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand.
•4L provides electronically lockedfour-wheel drive when extra power atreduced speeds is required. Theinformation display will display 4Lwhen this mode is selected. This modeis not recommended for use on drypavement. Use this mode for off-roadlow-speed operation or when extrapower is required, such as climbingsteep grades, going through deep sandor pulling a boat out of the water.
Shifting between system modes
Note:Momentarily releasing the acceleratorpedal while a shift in progress messagedisplays will improveengagement/disengagement performance.
Note:Do not perform this operation if therear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as thesystem shifts or engages; this is normal.
You can move the control from 2H, 4A or4H at a stop or while driving. Theinformation display may display a messageindicating a 4X4 shift is in progress. Oncethe shift is complete the informationdisplay will then display the system modeselected.
Shifting to or from 4L
Note:4L mode is not intended for use ondry pavement.
1. Bring the vehicle to a rolling speed of3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the gearshift in neutral (N).
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3. Move the 4WD switch to the desiredmode.
The information display will display amessage indicating a 4X4 shift is inprogress. The information display will thendisplay the system mode selected.
If any of the above shift conditions are notmet, the shift will not occur and theinformation display will display informationguiding the driver through the proper rangeof shifting procedures.
If SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD isdisplayed in the information display,transfer case gear tooth blockage ispresent. To alleviate this condition, placethe transmission in a forward gear, movethe vehicle forward approximately 5 ft(2 m), and shift the transmission back toneutral (N) to allow the transfer case tocomplete the range shift.
How Your Vehicle Differs FromOther Vehicles
WARNING
Vehicles with a higher center ofgravity such as utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity.Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot designed for cornering at speeds ashigh as passenger cars any more thanlow-slung sports cars are designed toperform satisfactorily under off-roadconditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessivespeed and abrupt maneuvers in thesevehicles. Failure to drive cautiously couldresult in an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injury anddeath.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ fromsome other vehicles. Your vehicle may behigher to allow it to travel over roughterrain without getting hung up ordamaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle soversatile also make it handle differentlythan an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at alltimes, especially in rough terrain. Sincesudden changes in terrain can result inabrupt steering wheel motion, make sureyou grip the steering wheel from theoutside. Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damagefrom concealed objects such as rocks andstumps.
You should either know the terrain orexamine maps of the area before driving.Map out your route before driving in thearea. To maintain steering and brakingcontrol of your vehicle, you must have allfour wheels on the ground and they mustbe rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Driving Off-Road With Truck andUtility Vehicles
Note:On some models, the initial shift fromtwo-wheel drive to four-wheel drive whileyour vehicle is moving can cause somemomentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.This is the front drivetrain coming up tospeed and the automatic locking hubsengaging and is not cause for concern.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped witha front air dam that can become damaged(due to reduced ground clearance) whentaking your vehicle off-road. You mayremove this air dam by removing eight bolts.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are speciallyequipped for driving on sand, snow, mudand rough terrain and have operatingcharacteristics that are somewhatdifferent from conventional vehicles, bothon and off the road.
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Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
The transfer case supples power to all fourwheels. On four-wheel drive vehicles, thetransfer case allows you to select different4WD modes when necessary. You can findinformation on transfer case operation andshifting procedures in this chapter. You canfind information on transfer casemaintenance in the Maintenance chapter.You should become thoroughly familiarwith this information before you operateyour vehicle.
Four-wheel drive (when you select a 4WDmode) uses all four wheels to power yourvehicle. This increases traction, enablingyou to drive over terrain and roadconditions that a conventional two-wheeldrive vehicle cannot.
Basic Operating Principles
•Do not use 4H or 4L on dry, hardsurfaced roads. Doing so will produceexcessive noise, increase tire wear andmay damage drive components. 4H or4L modes are only intended forconsistently slippery or loose surfaces.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds whichcan affect the normal steeringcharacteristics of your vehicle.
•When driving your vehicle on surfacesmade slippery by loose sand, water,gravel, snow or ice proceed with care.
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce yourvehicle speed and avoid severe braking.When your vehicle speed decreases, easeyour vehicle back onto the road. Do notturn the steering wheel sharply whilereturning your vehicle to the road.
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder ofthe road and slow down gradually beforereturning to the road. You may lose controlif you do not slow down or if you turn thesteering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
It may be less risky to strike small objects,such as freeway reflectors, with minordamage to your vehicle rather thanattempt a sudden return to the road whichcould cause your vehicle to slide sidewaysout of control or roll over. Remember, yoursafety and the safety of others should beyour primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35mph (56 km/h). The tires may failand injure a passenger or bystander.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature,damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for morethan a minute, damage to the transmissionand tires may occur or the engine mayoverheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow itmay be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts, in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Emergency Maneuvers
In an unavoidable emergency situationwhere a sudden sharp turn must be made,remember to avoid over-driving yourvehicle (i.e. turn the steering wheel only asrapidly and as far as required to avoid theemergency). Excessive steering can resultin loss of vehicle control. Apply smoothpressure to the accelerator pedal or brakepedal when changes in vehicle speed arerequired. Avoid abrupt steering,acceleration and braking. This could resultin an increased risk of vehicle roll over, lossof vehicle control and personal injury. Useall available road surface to bring yourvehicle to a safe direction of travel.
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In the event of an emergency stop, avoidskidding the tires and do not attempt anysharp steering wheel movements.
If your vehicle goes from one type ofsurface to another (i.e. from concrete togravel) there will be a change in the wayyour vehicle responds to a maneuver (i.e.steering, acceleration or braking).
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail.Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shiftto a lower gear and drive steadily throughthe terrain. Apply the accelerator slowlyand avoid excessive wheel slip.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds, thiscauses vehicle momentum to work againstyou and your vehicle could become stuckto the point that assistance may berequired from another vehicle. Remember,you may be able to back out the way youcame if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
Note:Driving through deep water maydamage the vehicle.
If you must drive through high water, driveslowly. Traction or brake capability maybe limited.
When driving through water, determine thedepth and avoid water higher than thebottom of the hubs. If the ignition systemgets wet, your vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle aseffectively as dry brakes. Drying can beimproved by applying light pressure to thebrake pedal while moving slowly.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehiclespeed or direction when you are driving inmud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose tractionin slick mud. As when you are driving oversand, apply the accelerator slowly andavoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicledoes slide, steer in the direction of the slideuntil you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or frontaxle are submerged in water, their fluidsshould be checked and changed, ifnecessary.
If the front or rear axle is submerged inwater, the axle lubricant should bereplaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residuestuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.Excess mud stuck on tires and rotatingdriveshafts causes an imbalance thatcould damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational programdesigned to increase public awareness ofland-use regulations and responsibilitiesin our nations wilderness areas. Ford MotorCompany joins the U.S. Forest Service andthe Bureau of Land Management inencouraging you to help preserve ournational forest and other public and privatelands by “treading lightly”.
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning onsteep slopes or hills.
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Note:Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slippingsideways and possible vehicle roll over.Whenever driving on a hill, determinebeforehand the route you will use. Do notdrive over the crest of a hill without seeingwhat conditions are on the other side. Donot drive in reverse over a hill without theaid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or downa hill or steep incline, you should alwaystry to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, startin a lower gear rather than downshifting toa lower gear from a higher gear once theascent has started. This reduces strain onthe engine and the possibility of stalling.
If your vehicle stalls, do not try to turnaround because this could cause vehicleroll over. It is better to reverse back to asafe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels toclimb the hill. Too much power will causethe tires to slip, spin or lose traction,resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you woulduse to climb up the hill to avoid excessivebrake application and brake overheating.Do not descend in neutral. Disengageoverdrive or move the transmissionselector lever to a lower gear. Whendescending a steep hill, avoid sudden hardbraking as you could lose control. The frontwheels have to be turning in order to steeryour vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, applythe brakes steadily. Do not pump thebrakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING
If you are driving in slipperyconditions that require tire chains orcables, then it is critical that you drivecautiously. Keep speeds down, allow forlonger stopping distances and avoidaggressive steering to reduce the chancesof a loss of vehicle control which can leadto serious injury or death. If the rear end ofyour vehicle slides while cornering, steer inthe direction of the slide until you regaincontrol of your vehicle.
Four-wheel drive vehicles have advantagesover two-wheel drive vehicles in snow andice but can skid like any other vehicle.Should you start to slide while driving onsnowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheelin the direction of the slide until you regaincontrol.
Avoid sudden applications of power andquick changes of direction on snow andice. Apply the accelerator slowly andsteadily when starting from a full stop.
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Avoid sudden braking. Although afour-wheel drive vehicle may acceleratebetter than a two-wheel drive vehicle insnow and ice, it will not stop any faster asbraking occurs at all four wheels. Do notbecome overconfident in any roadcondition.
Make sure you allow sufficient distancebetween you and other vehicles forstopping. Drive slower than usual andconsider using one of the lower gears. Inemergency stopping situations, apply thebrake steadily. Do not pump the brakepedal. See Hints on Driving WithAnti-Lock Brakes (page 173).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems onyour vehicle have been designed andtested to provide predictable performancewhether loaded or empty. For this reason,we strongly recommend that you do notmake modifications such as adding orremoving parts (for example, lift kits orstabilizer bars) or by using replacementparts not equivalent to the original factoryequipment.
We recommend that you use caution whenyour vehicle has either a high load or device(such as ladders or luggage racks). Anymodifications to your vehicle that raise thecenter of gravity may cause your vehicleto roll over when there is a loss of vehiclecontrol.
Failure to maintain your vehicle correctlymay void the warranty, increase your repaircost, reduce vehicle performance andoperational capabilities and adverselyaffect you and your passenger's safety. Werecommend you frequently inspect yourvehicle's chassis components when yourvehicle is subject to off road usage.
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LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
(If Equipped)
This axle provides added traction onslippery surfaces, particularly when onewheel is on a poor traction surface. Undernormal conditions, the limited-slip axlefunctions like a standard rear axle. The axlemay exhibit a slight noise or vibrationduring tight turns with low vehicle speed.This is normal behavior and indicates theaxle is working.
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Rear Axle