Go to this thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340075
This is a sticky at the top of the page on this forum that gives you access to the owner's manual. Click on the
#6 PDF and there is an explanation starting around page 201. It explains the process for shifting in and out of 4x4HI and 4x4LO.
Positions of the Control-Trac system
The Control-Trac system functions in three modes:
The 4x4 Auto mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
delivered to the rear axle, and to
the front axle as required for
increased traction. This is
appropriate for normal on-road
operating conditions, such as dry
road surfaces, wet pavement,
snow and gravel.
The 4x4 High mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles. It is only intended
for severe winter or off-road
conditions, such as deep snow
and ice (where no dry or wet
pavement remains uncovered),
and shallow sand.
The 4x4 Low mode supplies
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles and includes a
lower gear ratio for low-speed. It
is only intended for off-road
applications that require extra
power including deep sand, steep
grades and pulling a boat and
trailer out of the water.
The vehicle should not be operated in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low on
dry or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive
noise, increase tire wear and may damage driveline components.
These modes are intended for use only on consistently slippery or
loose surfaces.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should
never be used. Such a tire could
make the vehicle difficult to control and as well as result in damage to
driveline components.
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.
Shifting between 4x4 Auto and 4x4 High
When you press the 4x4 High
button, the indicator light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster.
When you press the 4x4 Auto
button, the indicator light will turn
off.
Either shift can be done at a stop or
while driving at any speed.
Shifting from 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High to 4x4 Low
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Press the 4x4 Low button. When
engaged the 4x4 Low instrument
cluster light and the 4x4 Low button
will illuminate.
The 4X4 LOW button will flash if:
1. The system is waiting for driver input (brake and/or neutral gear). OR
2. There is a 4X4 low shift in progress.
If the driver inputs are not engaged, the button selection will time-out
and the 4X4 system will remain in its current mode.
Shifting from 4x4 Low to 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Press the 4x4 Auto or the 4x4
High button. When 4x4 Auto is
engaged NO indicator lights will
illuminate. When 4x4 High is
engaged the 4x4 High instrument
cluster light will illuminate.
The 4X4 LOW button will flash if:
1. The system is waiting for driver input (brake and/or neutral gear). OR
2. There is a 4X4 low shift in progress.
If the driver inputs are not engaged, the button selection will time-out
and the 4X4 system will remain in its current mode.
The vehicle should not be operated in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low on
dry or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive
noise, increase tire wear and may damage driveline components.
These modes are intended for use only on consistently slippery or
loose surfaces.
The other thing to be careful of is that all four tires are matching in height when properly inflated. Some owners replace only two tires, front or rear, and that will trigger the AUTO4x4 to activate and you'll be in 4x4 and not know it. The ABS sensors detect the difference in circumference as wheel spin. There is a modification you can make to add a switch to turn off the 4x4 all together (Brown Wire Mod:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194875 Read the whole thread because guys have added other ideas that eliminate the relay.) to avoid having the truck go into 4x4 automatically and you don't know about it. When in AUTO 4x4, there is NO indicator light that comes on when the truck automatically shifts into 4x4. I don't know why Ford didn't put an indicator light somewhere so the driver would know they're driving in 4x4HI. My wife's Expedition has Auto 4x4 but there is a switch that lets you select 2x4HI so you can shut off the 4x4 function.
HoHopefully someone will correct anything I didn't get right.
