Ford Explorer (2018 year). Manual - part 46

5. When holding the lower white lever in

the forward position, move the shifter
from the park position.

6. Press the shifter bezel back into the top

finish panel until it snaps back into
position.

7.

Apply the brake pedal, start the vehicle
and release the parking brake.

Note: See your authorized dealer as soon
as possible if this procedure is used.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud
or Snow

Note: Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.

Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a minute or damage to the transmission and
tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.

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.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the rear wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously making
adjustments to the torque distribution, in
an attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.

The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.

If any component requires maintenance,
a message appears in the information
display.

USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

WARNING

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 are
not 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.

The intelligent 4WD system continuously
monitors vehicle conditions and
automatically adjusts the power
distribution between the front and rear
wheels. It combines transparent
all-surface operation with highly capable
four-wheel drive.

The 4WD system is always active and
requires no driver input. It is capable of
handling all road conditions, including
street and highway driving as well as
off-road and winter driving. The driver can
optimize more 4WD control by moving the
terrain management switch for the correct
terrain.  See Using Terrain Control (page
199).

Note: A warning message will be displayed
in the information display when an 4WD
system fault is present  See Information
Messages (page 118).  An 4WD system fault
will cause the 4WD system to default to
front-wheel drive only mode. When this
warning message is displayed, have your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer

Note: A warning message will be displayed
in the information display if the 4WD system
has overheated  See Information
Messages (page 118).  This condition may
occur if the vehicle was operated in extreme
conditions with excessive wheel slip, such
as deep sand. To resume normal 4WD
function as soon as possible, stop the
vehicle in a safe location and stop the
engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the 4WD
system has adequately cooled, the warning
message will turn off and normal 4WD
function will return.

Do not use a spare tire of a different size
other than the tire provided. If the
mini-spare tire is installed, the 4WD system
may disable automatically and enter
front-wheel drive only mode to protect
driveline components. This condition will
be indicated by a warning in the
information display  See Information
Messages (page 118).  If there is a warning
message in the information display from
using the spare tire, this indicator should
turn off after reinstalling the repaired or
replaced normal road tire and cycling the
ignition off and on. It is recommended to

 (If Equipped)

reinstall the repaired or replaced road tire
as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire
sizes between the front and rear axles
could cause the 4WD system to stop
functioning and default to front-wheel
drive or damage the 4WD system.

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.

Driving In Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Note: 4WD vehicles are equipped for driving
on sand, snow, mud and rough roads and
have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the highway.

Basic operating principles in special
conditions

•

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 rollover. Remember, your safety and
the safety of others should be your
primary concern.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck

WARNINGS

Always set the parking brake fully
and make sure the transmission is in
P (Park). Turn the ignition to the lock

position or turn the vehicle off using the
start/stop button and remove the key
whenever you leave your vehicle.

 (If Equipped)

WARNINGS

If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized
dealer.

Do not spin the wheels at over
35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may fail
and injure a passenger or bystander.

Note: Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.

Note: 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.

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.

If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control™, it may be beneficial to
disengage the AdvanceTrac® with Roll
Stability Control™ system while
attempting to rock the vehicle.

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 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.

•

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.

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.

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.

Mud and Water

Note: Driving through deep water may
damage your vehicle.

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.

 (If Equipped)