2001 Ford Explorer Sport Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 169

Driving • 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 4WDor 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. Using the Control-Trac system Shifting between 4WD AUTO and 4WD HIGH When you move the control to 4WD HIGH, the indicator light will 4x4 illuminate in the instrument cluster. HIGH LOW AUTO When you move the control to 4WD AUTO, the indicator light will turn off. Either shift can be done at a stop or while driving at any speed. 169