2001 Ford Explorer Sport Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 173

Driving ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED) (5.0L ENGINES ONLY) Your vehicle is equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer case. Power is supplied to all four wheels all the time with no need to shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer case refer to Capacities and specifications chapter. 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 or abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Driving off-road with AWD Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road. 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. For more information on driving off-road, read the "Four Wheeling" supplement in your owner's portfolio. If your vehicle gets stuck If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting from 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. 173