How Utility Vehicles Differ From Other Vehicles; Driving In Special Conditions With Four-Wheel Drive (4Wd); Basic Operating Principles In Special Conditions - Ford EXPLORER 2014 Owner's Manual

216 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.
2014 Explorer (exp)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, September 2013
USA (fus)