2002 Ford Explorer Sport Owner Guide 6th Printing - Page 203

Driving • The 4x4 Low mode supplies four-wheel drive with full power to both axles and includes a lower gear ratio for low-speed. It is only intended for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades and pulling a boat and trailer out of the water. The vehicle should not be operated in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low on dry or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage driveline components. These modes are intended for use only on consistently slippery or loose surfaces. If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD, a spare tire of a different size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could make the vehicle difficult to control and as well as result in damage to driveline components. 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 vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. 203