4x4 Buttons

[neoxjoker]

Hi all, first time poster, short time lurker!

As of recent, ( as in this weekend) we are roaming around backwater Tenn. and we had decided to rent a 4x4 Ford Explorer 2006 to see if we liked it and if we could settle into one in the future

However the only problem we have had so far with the truck is this: Whenever we try and use the 4x4 low/high buttons, we are not sure if the 4x4 is acutally engaging or not. We tried all the normal methods to usually get a 4x4 to engage ( park / neutral , press buttons, press buttons back up etc etc )

The other problem with this silly situation is that for some odd reason the instruction manual was not in the car when we left the lot; that or they did not include it in fear of it getting stolen.

Anyway, any help would be awesome, especially while we are out here in the backwoods getting the ability to really test the 4x4 capabilities of this fine beast!
Thanks in advance and yall have a good day!

 

[schmidlkofer]

lol put it in park or neuteal and push the buttons. the 4x4 light should come up on the dash. if its a 5 speed just push in the clutch. and if it has manual hubs make sure to turn them.

 

[Tbars4]

i'm not sure but do you have manual hubs??? if so, lock those first and while stopped, put the vehicle in neutral and engage the 4x4....if you don't have manual hubs, again, stop the vehicle, put it in 4x4, and then try it....that should resolve any doubts i hope...good luck and take pictures for us

 

[cybergasm]

this is a 2006 Explorer auto hub and t-case and it probaly an auto AWD system so the only indicator would be the dash light. might just have to find some real loose soil and try it that way and see how it does.

 

[DeRocha]

Why are you not sure the 4x4 system is engaging? Does the 4x4 light come on and you just don't feel like its working?

 

[neoxjoker]

Why are you not sure the 4x4 system is engaging? Does the 4x4 light come on and you just don't feel like its working?

Thanks all for the replies, good to know we have some real experts doing things around here!

DeRocha, This appears to be what is happening. The light (which there appears to be one on the 4x4 button, does not indicate it has been turned on ( nor does any other indicator light) , so it leads us to belive that it is in fact not on) It could be possible that the light just may not work, but we havent really tried anything to spectacular yet just in case we got into trouble and couldnt get out! Ill go ahead and try the suggestions from above and ill let you all know how it turns out

Thanks again for the warm response!

 

[manaen]

You should also be able to hear the sound of the transfer case engaging when you hit the button with the window open, or even through the floor, especially when going into 4-low