Sand; Mud And Water - Ford Ranger Owner's Manual

Manual locking hubs must be in LOCK position before
shifting into four-wheel drive.
When using four-wheel drive, 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 rim from the outside. Do not grip
the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps. Know the terrain or examine maps of
the area in question before driving. Map out your route
beforehand. To maintain steering and braking control of your
vehicle, you must have all four tires on the ground, and they
must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Transmission upshift in 4WD with transfer case in 4WD LOW
may be quite firm due to large total gear reduction. This
condition is normal.

Sand

When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels of the
vehicle on the most solid area of the trail. Do not reduce the
tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.

Mud and Water

When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed
slowly. If the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not
stop the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly, while applying light
pressure on the brake pedal.
Driving Your Ranger
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