How Utility Vehicles Differ From Other Vehicles; Driving In Special Conditions With Four-Wheel Drive (4Wd); Basic Operating Principles In Special Conditions - Ford EXPLORER 2015 Owner's Manual

Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

How Utility Vehicles Differ 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
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 In Special Conditions With Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Note: 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.
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. 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 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 in Special Conditions

• 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.
2015 Explorer (exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA (fus)
213