2008 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 3rd Printing - Page 289

Driving If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, 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 as well as result in damage to driveline components. 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. Normal operation (4.0L engine vehicles only) The AWD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway driving as well as off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand. Normal operation (4.6L engine vehicles only) During normal operation the AWD system is in AWD AUTO mode (AWD LOCKED will illuminate in the message center for four seconds when you first start your vehicle). The 4X4 indicator in the instrument cluster will also come on. For instructions on selecting the AWD LOCKED mode, refer to Message center in the Driver Controls chapter. This mode is not intended for use on dry pavement. This mode is appropriate for severe winter or off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand. The use of AWD LOCKED on dry or hard surfaces may produce some noise, such as occasional clunks, but will not damage the drive system. Autolock operation (4.6L engine vehicles only) If the AWD system begins to overheat, the system will place itself in the Autolock mode: • the 4X4 indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster and AWD DISABLED will be displayed in the message center. • AWD LOCKED will be displayed in the message center for four seconds and a warning chime will sound. This condition may clear without any action being taken by the driver. • the 4X4 indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn off when the AWD system cools down. 289