1999 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 158

Driving • The 4WD HIGH mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to both axles. It is only intended for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow and ice (where no dry or wet pavement remains uncovered), and shallow sand. 4x4 AUTO HIGH LOW • The 4WD 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. 4x4 AUTO HIGH LOW The vehicle should not be operated in 4WD HIGH and 4WD 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 or AWD, a spare tire of a different size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could result in damage to driveline components and make the vehicle difficult to control. 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. 158