1997 Ford Ranger Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 184

Driving With the transfer case in N (Neutral), the vehicle is free to move with either the automatic transmission in P (Park) or with the manual transmission in any driving gear. WARNING Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition when leaving the vehicle. To shift from N (Neutral) to either 4H or 4L, stop the vehicle and engage the parking brake. Place the automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on manual transmission vehicles. Push the transfer case shift lever to the desired position. If it is difficult to shift into either 4H or 4L, it may be necessary to let the vehicle roll slightly and/or turn off the engine (particularly on vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions). Driving Off Road with 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive are especially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud, or rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both off and on the road. The driving tips below will help you learn to use four-wheel drive. s Do not use four-wheel drive on dry, hard-surfaced roads, especially with a temporary spare tire in use. s Special maintenance procedures are necessary after operating with drive components in water. s Manual locking hubs must be in LOCK position before shifting into four-wheel drive. 183