Ford Expedition (2018 year). Manual — part 48

Note:

The information display may show

messages during 4WD operation. See
Information Messages (page 119).

Your 4X4 control is located in one of the
following locations:
•

On the instrument panel.

•

On the DRIVE MODE selection switch.

2H (4X2)

Delivers power to the rear wheels only. The
information display momentarily shows
2H when this mode is selected. This mode
is appropriate for normal on-road driving
on dry pavement and provides the best
fuel economy.

Note:

2H may turn on or off automatically

based on Drive Mode selection. See Drive
Control (page 251).

4A (4X4 AUTO)

Provides electronic controlled four-wheel
drive with power delivered to the front and
rear wheels, as required, for increased
traction. The Information Display will
display 4A when this mode is selected. The
system continuously monitors road
conditions, driver's input as well as other
vehicle sensors and optimizes the system's
behavior based on drive mode selection.

Note:

4A may turn on or off automatically

based on Drive Mode selection. See Drive
Control (page 251).

4H (4X4 HIGH)

Provides electronically locked four-wheel
drive power to front and rear wheels. The
information display will display 4H when
this mode is selected. This mode is not
recommended for use on dry pavement.
This mode is only intended for severe
winter or off-road conditions, such as deep
snow, ice or shallow sand.

Note:

4H may turn on or off automatically

based on Drive Mode selection. In certain
configurations, 4H-like functionality is
contained within specific off-road Drive
Modes even when the indicator lamp shows
4A. See Drive Control (page 251).

4L (4X4 LOW)

Provides electronically locked four-wheel
drive power to both the front and rear
wheels with additional gearing for
increased torque multiplication. Intended
only for off-road applications such as deep
sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy
objects. 4L (4X4 low) will not engage while
your vehicle is moving above 3 mph
(5 km/h); this is normal and should be no
reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to or
from 4L (4X4 low) for proper operation.

Note:

4L may turn off automatically based

on Drive Mode selection. See Drive Control
(page 251).

Shifting Between 4WD System Modes

Note:

Momentarily releasing the accelerator

pedal while a shift in progress message
displays improves engagement and
disengagement performance.

Note:

Do not perform this operation if the

rear wheels are slipping.

Note:

Some noise may be heard as the

system shifts or engages; this is normal.

You can change between 2H to 4A or 4H
at a stop or while driving. The information
display may display a message indicating
a 4X4 shift is in progress and the LED light
for the selected mode flashes. Once the
shift is complete the information display
shows the system mode selected and the
LED light for the selected mode turns solid.

Shifting To or From 4L (4X4 LOW)

Note:

4L mode is not intended for use on

dry pavement.

(If Equipped)

1.

Bring the vehicle to a rolling speed of
3 mph (5 km/h) or less.

2. Place the gearshift in neutral (N).

3. Move the 4WD switch to the desired

mode.

The information display will display a
message indicating a 4X4 shift is in
progress. The information display will then
display the system mode selected. If any
of the above shift conditions are not
present, the shift will not occur and the
information display will display information
guiding the driver through the proper
shifting procedures. If the above conditions
are not satisfied in 30 seconds, the system
reverts back to the previous 4WD mode or
drive mode.

If Shift Delayed Pull Forward is displayed
in the information display, transfer case
gear tooth blockage is present. To alleviate
this condition, place the transmission in a
forward gear, move the vehicle forward
approximately 5 ft (2 m), and shift the
transmission back to neutral (N) to allow
the transfer case to complete the range
shift.

Operating 4WD Vehicles With
Spare or Mismatched Tires

On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of
the spare tire can affect the 4X4 system.
If there is a significant difference between
the size of the spare tire and the remaining
tires, you may have limited four-wheel
drive functionality.

When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, it is
recommended that you do not:

•

Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with a 4WD
mode turned on.

•

Turn on a 4WD mode unless the
vehicle is stationary.

•

Use a 4WD mode on dry pavement.

Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tire
assembly may lead to impairment of the
following:

•

Comfort and noise.

•

Winter weather driving capability.

•

Wet driving capability.

•

Four-wheel drive capability.

How Your Vehicle Differs From
Other Vehicles

WARNING

Vehicles with a higher center of
gravity (utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles) handle differently than

vehicles with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt steering in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing control of your
vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.

Truck and utility vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles. Your vehicle may be
higher to allow it to travel over rough
terrain without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.

The differences that make your vehicle so
versatile also make it handle differently
than an ordinary passenger car.

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.

(If Equipped)

You should either know the terrain or
examine maps of the area before driving.
Map out your route before driving in the
area. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all
four wheels on the ground and they must
be rolling, not sliding or spinning.

Driving Off-Road With Truck and
Utility Vehicles

Note:

On some models, the initial shift from

two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive while
your vehicle is moving can cause some
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and the automatic locking hubs
engaging and is not cause for concern.

Note:

Your vehicle may be equipped with

a front air dam that can become damaged
(due to reduced ground clearance) when
taking your vehicle off-road. You may
remove this air dam by removing eight bolts.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are specially
equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud
and rough terrain and have operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both
on and off the road.

The transfer case supples power to all four
wheels. On four-wheel drive vehicles, the
transfer case allows you to select different
4WD modes when necessary. You can find
information on transfer case operation and
shifting procedures in this chapter. You can
find information on transfer case
maintenance in the Maintenance chapter.
You should become thoroughly familiar
with this information before you operate
your vehicle.

Four-wheel drive (when you select a 4WD
mode) uses all four wheels to power your
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot.

Basic Operating Principles

•

Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.

•

When driving your vehicle on surfaces
made slippery by loose sand, water,
gravel, snow or ice proceed with care.

•

Do not use 4H or 4L on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and
may damage drive components. 4H or
4L modes are only for consistently
slippery or loose surfaces.

If Your Vehicle leaves the Road

If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.
When your vehicle speed decreases, ease
your vehicle back onto the road. Do not
turn the steering wheel sharply while
returning your vehicle to the road.

It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of
the road and slow down gradually before
returning to the road. You may lose control
if you do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.

It may be less risky to strike small objects,
such as freeway reflectors, with minor
damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the road which
could cause your vehicle to slide sideways
out of control or roll over. Remember, your
safety and the safety of others should be
your primary concern.

Emergency Maneuvers

In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be made,
remember to avoid over-driving your
vehicle (i.e. turn the steering wheel only as
rapidly and as far as required to avoid the
emergency). Excessive steering can result
in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth
pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal when changes in vehicle speed are

(If Equipped)

required. Avoid abrupt steering,
acceleration and braking. This could result
in an increased risk of vehicle roll over, loss
of vehicle control and personal injury. Use
all available road surface to bring your
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.

In the event of an emergency stop, avoid
skidding the tires and do not attempt any
sharp steering wheel movements.

If your vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (i.e. from concrete to
gravel) there will be a change in the way
your vehicle responds to a maneuver (i.e.
steering, acceleration or braking).

Sand

When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily through
the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid excessive wheel slip.

When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use a low
gear when possible. Low gear operation
maximizes the engine and transmission
cooling capability.

Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this
causes vehicle momentum to work against
you and your vehicle could become stuck
to the point that assistance may be
required from another vehicle. Remember,
you may be able to back out the way you
came if you proceed with caution.

Mud and Water

Mud

Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can
lose traction in slick mud. If your vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of your vehicle.

After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that
could damage drive components.

Water

If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.

When driving through water, determine the
depth and avoid water higher than the
bottom of the hubs. If the ignition system
gets wet, your vehicle may stall.

Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying improves
by applying light pressure to the brake
pedal while moving slowly.

Note:

Driving through deep water may

damage the transmission. If the front or rear
axle is submerged in water, the axle
lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant
should be checked and changed if
necessary.

Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain

Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.

Note:

Avoid turning on steep slopes or

hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possible vehicle roll over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine
beforehand the route you will use. Do not
drive over the crest of a hill without seeing
what conditions are on the other side. Do
not drive in reverse over a hill without the
aid of an observer.

When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.

(If Equipped)