"4x4 Auto" Operation

[mfont]

I bought a used 2007 XLT with the V8 engine. As usual, the owners manual does not have many details in it. Can someone explain the "4x4 Auto" operation. Are there any indicators of the mode status like there is for "4x4 High" and "4x4 Low". Since there is a button for "4x4 Auto" on the console it seems you should be able to turn it on and off. But how do you know what the status is? On my 07 the 4x4 kicks in automatically on snow or icy conditions even without any action by me but the dealer service dept says the "Auto" mode resets to off when the engine/iginition is switched off. This does not appear to be the case for my vehicle. Knowledgeable comments on the proper operation would be appreciated. Also, is there any illumination of the auto gear shift area. I find that at night it would be useful to have a light to see which gear you are shifting into.
Thanks,

 

[steve6534]

I bought a used 2007 XLT with the V8 engine. As usual, the owners manual does not have many details in it. Can someone explain the "4x4 Auto" operation. Are there any indicators of the mode status like there is for "4x4 High" and "4x4 Low". Since there is a button for "4x4 Auto" on the console it seems you should be able to turn it on and off. But how do you know what the status is? On my 07 the 4x4 kicks in automatically on snow or icy conditions even without any action by me but the dealer service dept says the "Auto" mode resets to off when the engine/iginition is switched off. This does not appear to be the case for my vehicle. Knowledgeable comments on the proper operation would be appreciated. Also, is there any illumination of the auto gear shift area. I find that at night it would be useful to have a light to see which gear you are shifting into.
Thanks,

4x4 auto is the default mode of operation and there is no indicator light for it. It's just like the '97 and up explorer in that it uses a live front axle and cycles power to the front wheels with an electromagnetic clutch in the transfer case. Selecting 4x4 high or low will cause the clutch to lock full time. The auto button is there to get out of high or low modes.

 

[Essex4x4]

4x4 auto

Allright i will try to explain this simply. I have an 06 basically the same as your 07
I have taken it into extreem offroad situations ie 8" deep mud on an uphill slope. In auto 4x4 the drivetrain acts like Allwheel drive, engaging the 4x4 when the computer feels a loss of traction. the 4x4 high is simply engagin the 4x4 high and same for the low.
To answer your question about weather or not you can turn the 4x4 off yes, and no. If you want the 4x4 to be off drive slow on a flat road with no possibility of traction loss and your explorer operates in 2wd, otherwise in any situation causing lose of traction the 4x4 is engaged.
Unfortunently unlike in pre06 models you cannot force the 4x4 off.