1999 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 162

Driving Driving on snow and ice A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like any other vehicle. Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting from a full stop. When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady pressure on the brake pedal. Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider using one of the lower gears. 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. 162