Ford Excursion (2000 year). Manual — part 29

PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE

Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.

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

lower center of gravity. 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, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as

slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.

Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo than most passenger
cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling people
and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)

Brake-shift interlock

This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.

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If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:

1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition to the LOCK position, then
remove the key.

2. Reinsert the key and turn the ignition to the OFF position.

3. Press and hold down the brake pedal and shift into N (Neutral).

4. Start the vehicle.

If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside
emergencies chapter.

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.

Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave

your vehicle.

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.

See your dealer or a qualified service technician.

Driving with a 4–speed automatic transmission

Understanding gearshift positions

To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).

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Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake

pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you

leave your vehicle.

R (Reverse)

With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).

N (Neutral)

With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.

(Overdrive)

The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.

(Overdrive) can be deactivated

by pressing the transmission control
switch (TCS) on the end of the
gearshift lever.

OVERDRIVE

OFF

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The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on the
end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate.

Drive – Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch (TCS) on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift
in the

position. The TCIL (the word OFF) will illuminate on the

gearshift lever. Transmission operates in gears one through three.
(Drive) provides more engine braking than

(Overdrive) and is useful

when:
• driving with a heavy load.
• towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
• additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer

to Driving while you tow in the Trailer towing section.

To return to

(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control switch

(TCS). The TCIL (the word OFF) will no longer be illuminated.

Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.

Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired.

2 (Second)

Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.

1 (First)

Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear, and will
shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed.

OVERDRIVE

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