
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.
Always maintain steering wheel control,
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.
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 different from
conventional vehicles, both on and off the
road.
The transfer case supples power to all four
wheels. On four-wheel drive vehicles, the
transfer case allows you to select different
four-wheel drive modes when necessary.
Four-wheel drive, when you select a 4X4
mode, uses all four wheels to power your
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot.
Note:
On some models, the initial shift from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive when
your vehicle is moving can cause some
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and is not a cause for concern.
Note: Your vehicle may have a front air dam
that can become damaged, due to reduced
ground clearance, when taking your vehicle
off-road. You can remove this air dam by
removing the eight bolts that secure it.
Basic Operating Principles
• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Proceed with care when driving your
vehicle on surfaces made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
• Do not use 4H or 4L on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and
may damage drive components. Use
4H or 4L modes only for consistently
slippery or loose surfaces.
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.
When your vehicle speed decreases, ease
your vehicle back onto the road. Do not
turn the steering wheel sharply when
returning your vehicle to the road.
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of
the road and slow down gradually before
returning to the road. You may lose control
if you do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
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For the short wheel base system, it is
necessary for the second panel located
toward the front of the vehicle to be raised
up when the seats are folded down.
For the long wheel base system, it is
necessary for the second panel located
toward the front of the vehicle to be raised
up.
Note:
Before moving the board into the
shelf position, you may need to flip down
the hooks.
Note: Do not put more than 50 lb (22 kg)
on shelf.
Rear Barrier (Bulkhead Position) To move the board into the rear barrier or
bulkhead position, lift the board and move
it to the vertical position. Once the board
is vertical, insert the rearward facing nubs
into the hooks on either side.
Note:
Before moving the board into the rear
barrier or bulkhead position, you may need
to flip down the hooks.
CARGO NETS WARNING:
This net is not designed
to restrain objects during a collision or
heavy braking.
The cargo net secures lightweight objects
in the cargo area. 1.
Fold down the hooks on the top of the
rear quarter trim panel. 2. Attach the loop end of the net to the
upper hook. Use one prong on the hook
for the net attachment. 3. Attach the bottom of the net to the
lower anchor point.
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4.
Repeat this procedure on the other side
of your vehicle. ROOF RACKS AND LOAD
CARRIERS WARNING: When loading the roof
racks, we recommend you evenly
distribute the load, as well as maintain
a low center of gravity. Loaded vehicles,
with higher centers of gravity, may
handle differently than unloaded
vehicles. Take extra precautions, such
as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, when driving a heavily loaded
vehicle.
For correct roof rack system function, you
must place loads directly on crossbars
affixed to the roof rack side rails. When
using the roof rack system, we recommend
you use our genuine accessory crossbars
designed specifically for your vehicle.
Make sure that you securely fasten the
load. Check the tightness of the load
before driving and at each fuel stop.
Note: Never place loads directly on the roof
panel. The roof panel is not designed to
directly carry a load.
Maximum Recommended Load Amounts Maximum Recommended Load
Description
125 lb (56 kg)
Vehicles with Moonroof
200 lb (90 kg)
Vehicles without Moonroof
Note: The maximum recommended load
is based on the load being evenly distributed
on the crossbars. Some Middle East (ME) Expedition
vehicles have a higher Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) rating and unique
capabilities. As a result, use the following
table to determine the appropriate loading
for Middle East market Expeditions -
excluding MAX, which uses the previous
table.
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4. Measure the height to the top of your
vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that the
height of your vehicle's front wheel
opening on the fender is approximately
half the way down from H2, toward H1.
6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly
nose down toward your vehicle. If not,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat steps 2-6.
When the trailer is level or slightly nose
down toward the vehicle:
• Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
• Check that the trailer tongue securely
attaches and locks onto the hitch.
• Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer
brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper. Always connect the safety chains
to the frame or hook retainers of your trailer
hitch.
Install trailer safety chains to the trailer
hitch as recommended by the
manufacturer. Cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning tight corners. Do not allow the
chains to drag on the ground. If the trailer safety chain hook has a latch,
make sure the latch fully closes.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: Do not connect a
trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your
vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1,500 lb (680 kg) when loaded.
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Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime
the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Water may have contaminated the rear
axle lubricant, which is not normally
checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or another axle repair is
required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.
See
Climate Control (page 146).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing, for example towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. These
guidelines prevent damage to your
transmission.
Two-wheel Drive Vehicles
You cannot tow a two wheel drive vehicle
with any wheels on the ground as vehicle
or transmission damage may occur. You
must tow your vehicle with all four wheels
off the ground, for example when using a
car-hauling trailer.
Four-wheel Drive Vehicles Without 4x4
LOW
If your vehicle is not equipped with 4x4
Low, you cannot tow your vehicle with any
wheels on the ground or vehicle damage
may occur. You must tow your vehicle with
all four wheels off the ground, for example
when using a car-hauling trailer. Four-wheel Drive Vehicles With 4x4
LOW
You can only tow a
4X4 LOW equipped
four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on
the ground by placing the transfer case in
its neutral position and engaging the four
wheel down towing feature. Perform the
steps outlined in the following section after
positioning your vehicle behind the tow
vehicle and properly securing them
together.
Four-wheel-down Towing
Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows
Neutral Tow
Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the
information display, you must perform the
procedure again from the beginning.
Note: Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Entering Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Start your vehicle.
2. Select
2H on the 4WD mode selector
switch.
3. For vehicles equipped with a console shifter, place the transmission in stay
in neutral mode.
See Automatic
Transmission (page 203). For vehicles
equipped with a column shifter, place
the transmission in neutral (N).
4. Once the transmission is in neutral (N)
or stay in neutral mode, switch the
engine off but leave the ignition in the
on position. The information display
shows a
Transmission Not in Park
message.
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Note:
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
you can keep your vehicle on while switching
the engine off by pressing the
START/STOP button two times slowly
without pressing the brake pedal.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Enable neutral tow through the information display by selecting
Settings
from the menu. See General
Information (page 119).
7. Then select
Advanced Settings.
8. Then select
Vehicle.
9. Then select
Neutral Tow.
10. Press and hold the
OK button until
the information display confirms
neutral tow is enabled.
Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows
Neutral Tow
Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the
display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts into its neutral position.
This is normal.
11. Leave the transmission in neutral (N).
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine
START/STOP
button once without pressing the
brake pedal to switch the ignition off.
You do not need to leave your keys in
the vehicle. You can lock and unlock
your vehicle as you normally do. If
your vehicle has a physical ignition
key, turn the ignition as far as it can
go toward the off position. It does not
turn to the off position when the
transmission is in neutral (N). You
must leave the key in the ignition
when towing. To lock and unlock your
vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad
or an extra set of keys. 12. Release the brake pedal. WARNING:
Do not disconnect the
battery during recreational towing. It
prevents the transfer case from shifting
properly and may cause the vehicle to
roll, even if the transmission is in park
(P). WARNING:
Shifting the transfer
case to its neutral position for
recreational towing may cause the
vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is
in park (P). It may injure the driver and
others. Make sure you press the foot
brake and the vehicle is in a secure, safe
position when you shift to neutral (N).
Note: Failing to put the transfer case in its
neutral position may damage vehicle
components.
Note: You can check four-wheel-down
towing status at any time by opening the
driver door or turning the ignition to the
accessory or on position and verifying the
message displays in the cluster.
Exiting Four-wheel-down Towing
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return
the transfer case to its
2H position:
1. With your vehicle still properly secured
to the tow vehicle, start the engine.
2. After starting your vehicle, switch the engine off but leave the key in the on
position.
Note: If your vehicle has intelligent access,
you can keep the vehicle on when switching
the engine off by pressing the
START/STOP
button two times slowly
without pressing the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the transmission out of neutral (N) and into park (P).
5. Release the brake pedal.
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•
Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING:
Do not drive through
flowing or deep water as you may lose
control of your vehicle.
Note: Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the wheel
hubs. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNING:
Use a floor mat
designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal
area. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Pedals that cannot
move freely can cause loss of vehicle
control and increase the risk of serious
personal injury. WARNING:
Secure the floor mat
to both retention devices so that it
cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING: Do not place additional
floor mats or any other covering on top
of the original floor mats. This could
result in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.
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WARNING: Always make sure that
objects cannot fall into the driver foot
well while your vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped
under the pedals causing a loss of
vehicle control. To install the floor mats, position the floor
mat eyelet over the retention post and
press down to lock in position.
To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.
Note:
Regularly check the floor mats to
make sure they are secure.
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