Ford Ranger (2011 year). Manual — part 42

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in

this chapter.

Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.

If equipped with the electronic shift 4WD system, and 4WD Low
is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h), the
4WD system will not engage. This is normal and should be no
reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4L (4WD Low) for
proper operation.

4WD system indicator lights
• 4x4 - Momentarily illuminates

when the vehicle is started.
Illuminates when 4H (4WD High)
is engaged.

• 4x4 LOW – Momentarily

illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4L
(4WD Low) is engaged.

Using the electronic shift 4WD
system

2H (2WD High) - Power to the
rear wheels only; used for street and
highway driving.

4H (4WD High) - Used for extra
traction such as in snow or icy roads
or in off-road situations. Not
intended for use on dry pavement.

4L (4WD Low) - Uses extra
gearing to provide maximum power to all four wheels. Intended only for
off-road applications such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy
objects. 4L (4WD Low) will not engage while the vehicle is moving; this
is normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from
4L (4WD Low) for proper operation.

4x4

4x4

LOW

4H

2H

4L

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Shifting between 2H (2WD High) and 4H (4WD High)
• Move the 4WD control between 2H and 4H at a stop or any forward

speed.

Note: Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.

Shifting to/from 4L (4WD Low)

Note: Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages.
This is normal and should be no reason for concern.

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

2. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral). On vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, press the clutch.

3. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
• If the vehicle speed or transmission gear requirements are not met,

the shift will not occur.

• If shifting into 4L (4WD Low), wait for the 4WD LOW light in the

instrument cluster to turn on indicating the shift is complete.

• If shifting out of 4L (4WD Low), wait for the 4WD LOW light in the

instrument cluster to turn off indicating the shift is complete.

Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles

4WD 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.

How your vehicle differs from other vehicles

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.

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

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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.

Basic operating principles
• Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce

excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose
surfaces.

• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering

characteristics of your vehicle.

• Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by

loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.

If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but

avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.

• It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow

down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.

• It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway

reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.

WARNING: 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 loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

If your vehicle gets stuck

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

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Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.

Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.

WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.

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 will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
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.

WARNING: 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 loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

• If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from

concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.

4WD systems

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

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