2009 Explorer LTD w/4.6L & AWD - Purchased it Now!! New to us

[tripplec]

I have seen from various auto reference sites there are builds with 2WD, 4WD, & AWD. One one they indicated 4WD is a full time system on these. While AWD is not full time which is preferable. I have scoured threads and not seeing a definitive explanation of the drive train.

The AWD system I have seen it others is the drive axle (front in most) is only working and the rear engages if a partial slip is detected and power is also transferred to the other axle and wheels. A electric switch to enable front and back is there for full time AWD but managed by software with a controller coupler on the drive shaft.

So what is this system. I can check the owners manual when I look at the vehicle we are thinking of buying but I like to know what we're getting into. The Explorer has 180,000 kilometers which doesn't sound bad for this truck platform.

Any quick tips, checks or notes would be appreciated big time.

 

[Larryjb]

My understanding, so far, is that the AWD is active full time. When there is no slippage, something like 5-30% power is transferred to the front axle, and 95-70% power is transferred to the rear axle, via a fluid couple in the transfer case. When one axle slips, it spins faster than the other which causes the fluid to heat up in the fluid couple. As it heats up, it locks the front and rear drive shafts at the transfer case giving you 50:50 power split between the front and rear. Because this system does not lock the transfer case under normal driving, it is used full time.

When driving on loose or slippery ground such as snow, you may choose 4x4 which locks the front and rear drive shafts to give 50:50 split of power without waiting for slippage. If this system is used on dry roads, the two axles may become bound and you may damage driveline components.

I just got one of these (2008) for my wife. She is confident driving around in the snow and ice with it, but was scared to use our front drive Buick. She does not that it slips a little in AWD, but this is normal as it has to slip so the transfer case knows to lock up. The only thing she has trouble with is visibility out he rear, especially with the head rests in the rear seats. We discovered that the head rests can be tilted down when no one is sitting in that position, which improves visibility greatly. Overall, she likes it.

Larry

 

[tripplec]

Ok, Thanks I figure it was something like that from all the hunting I did. We decided to go for the 2009 Explore AWD Eddie Bauer which seems to have all the whistles and bells. My son should get it next weekend as it needs some driveline repairs, bearing somewhere, safety before its ready to pickup. Somethings are unclear because there is no owners manual. I don't know if a PDF is available anywhere for this year.

Also since it has the high end sound system with NAV, updating and/or finding out how old the exiting software is will take some work. Anyone with one could offer some assistance and/or recommendation on how to proceed if updating is necessary for the NAV system. There is a info screen with version of software etc. but it means nothing without knowing when it was released.

The 2002 will be sold in the coming month or so.

 

[tripplec]

I got lucky Ford is listing PDF's on their website. Horra I downloaded them so there is plenty of reading for operating info. I also see it uses the same oil filter Wix 51372 as we have spare on hand.

 

[tripplec]

Yes, I figured out the tilt looking at the photos before seeing it. There is a rear obstacle detection set of sensors. It beeps when I was behind and in reverse putting the 3rd row down to improve backing up. No camera but its the next best thing on this.

 

[Larryjb]

One of the first things I had to figure out was the memory seat If it's the same as our 2008, you will want to program your F0B with the memory seat:

1) Adjust the seat, pedals, any anything that is saved in memory (mirrors?)
2) Press "set" on the centre dash
3) Press any and hold button on your F0B.
4) Press "1" or "2" on the centre dash
5) release all.

I may mixed up the order of steps 2-4, but I think I got it right. If you don't do this, the seat will " reprogram'' back to the remote. So, whatever the previous owner set, your seat will go to the previous owner's memory seat whenever you me your F0B. We were wondering why the memory seat would keep forgetting our settings, and keep changing. That was why.

I guess Ford designed it this way so if some one messes with the set 1 or 2, your F0B will restore your memory settings.

I hope you enjoy your new Explorer!

Larry

 

[tripplec]

One of the first things I had to figure out was the memory seat If it's the same as our 2008, you will want to program your F0B with the memory seat:

1) Adjust the seat, pedals, any anything that is saved in memory (mirrors?)
2) Press "set" on the centre dash
3) Press any and hold button on your F0B.
4) Press "1" or "2" on the centre dash
5) release all.

I may mixed up the order of steps 2-4, but I think I got it right. If you don't do this, the seat will " reprogram'' back to the remote. So, whatever the previous owner set, your seat will go to the previous owner's memory seat whenever you me your F0B. We were wondering why the memory seat would keep forgetting our settings, and keep changing. That was why.

I guess Ford designed it this way so if some one messes with the set 1 or 2, your F0B will restore your memory settings.

I hope you enjoy your new Explorer!

Larry

Thanks, we have already experienced the re positioning ride when the key comes in contact with the switch. A bit of a surprise at first but it will certainly have to be customized as you've said. We asked that the Tranny fluid be dumped and changed since there was no dipstick to test it. Sealed I gather as its not visible. Likely over due.

 

[tripplec]

In the online manual I saw the oil filter was the same for the 4.6L from the old 2002 which is great. We have two Wix filter on hand but a bit of a bummer is the oil !!! Why did the do it at 5.7L or 6 quarts. Here in Canada we get deal on oil jugs from time to time as you do. Our jugs are either 4..7L or 5L which makes the shortfall noteworthy .7L off.

I don't know how you handle it but buying oil by the liter or quart is a lot more expensive. Just saying and talking out loud. We're picking up the Black Explorer this saturday.

 

[MNgopher]

Odds are they did 6 quarts because of the VCT system that is oil driven. Your older 2V 4.6 did not have this system.

Regardless, the 4.6l in the F150's had a 6 quart pan from the start, and the 5.4's in '04 and up F150's has a seven quart pan. Had both of those going back to 97. Nothing that says the oil jug size matches the engine oil pan size...

You just end up buying multiple large oil jugs and running them through...

 

[tripplec]

That what we figured we'd have to do. Use a 2nd jug as a top up each time on oil changes.

I have to ramp up on what benefit the 3V is over the 2V engine. But hoping it all works out in the long run.

 

[MNgopher]

The 2V 4.6 in the 3rd Gen Explorer had 239hp at 4750 rpm, and 282 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. The 3V 4.6 in the 4th gen went to 292 hp at 5750 rpm and 315 ft-lbs of torque at 3950 rpm. A big hp boost and modest torque boost over the previous generation.

To do that, they added another valve per cylinder and variable camshaft timing. The timing is controlled by VCT solenoids and phasers to advance or retard the camshaft timing on both the intake and exhaust cams at the same time. The solenoid controls the oil pressure into the phaser than then controls the timing.

 

[tripplec]

Ok great, 33ft/lbs not too shabby either which is getting up there.
We've got 2 jugs of Penzoil Ultra Platinum Synthetic 5w30 which should be fine for this beast !! I was reading about the oil requirements and the stated spec's in the manual as per most number don't mean a lot.

 

[tripplec]

Ford ALL WEATHER floor mats. Are they worth the $133 they ask for them. I looked at the accessories site and they really show them extremely poorly.

Anyone using them?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Ok great, 33ft/lbs not too shabby either which is getting up there.
We've got 2 jugs of Penzoil Ultra Platinum Synthetic 5w30 which should be fine for this beast !! I was reading about the oil requirements and the stated spec's in the manual as per most number don't mean a lot.

Ford has spec'd 5w20 in the modular V8 for quite some time, best to use what the owners manual recommends.

 

[bob60014]

I'm using Weather Tech floor mats which catch all the snow and rain I bring into the vehicle. They clean up easily and the carpets have stayed clean. I love them.

 

[tripplec]

Its about $260 for 1st & 2nd row for Weather Tech hear. A pretty noteworthy dollar. We're thinking about it.

Finally got the Door Codes for entry. A local dealer read them from the computer pretty cheap so. Only the NAV is the major kicker to get updated. We have big highway Toll road being built as sections are added maps for my Garmin get updated. But it won't be until 2020 before it scheduled to be all done. Paying a big ticket like Ford Mandates more than once even is very bad. Likely why they locked in the code son knowone elses update could be used on another one.

 

[tripplec]

It snowed this weekend but here she is with insert fitted for towing now.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Very nice, one of the best combo of that generation.

PS: Somebody stole your running boards

 

[tripplec]

One wasn't working so the dealer offer to remove them if we wanted. My son did not like hitting his leg on them getting out even when it was up. So off they went. Lots of ground clearance there now.

 

[Explorer_PL]

My 07 came with those power boards. Piece of junk IMHO. They stopped working in down position.

Took them off and bought a pair of fixed ones from a wrecked explorer for about 100 bucks.

The eddie bauer would look weird without those.