True 4wd? Or awd?

[blwnsmoke]

It is AWD.. this was a Ford marketing decision which I think is more to keep the nameplate the same from pre 2011 era to the 11+ era.

 

[JAPeterson]

There is a difference in the way that a lot of the AWD vehicles operate in AWD. The Explorer lets the computer decide when it should be in 4wd where other vehicles like a Subaru is actually in 4wd all to time, hence it is a AWD. Also a lot of those vehicles don't have a option like we do on the Explorer in putting it into different traction modes.

I can watch the traction control in my user information center and see when it is in 4wd and not. For most of my driving it is only in 2wd. Now if I accelerate quite heavy and watch it I'll see the rear wheels start to have power and then it will back off as I let off of the gas.

 

[Machine090767]

Basically: it's 2WD, then AWD when the computer feels like it needs it, and 4WD when the driver selects it.

 

[peterk9]

Why is the Explorer marked as 4wd? The car automatically takes care of four wheel drive and I thought this was called AWD instead.

Your thread has been merged with this one found using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature.
Please add the trim level of your Explorer to your profile as now being requested when registering so it shows in the margin. Thanks.

Peter

 

[Eltee]

A little on/off specific topic but on 2WD Explorers what do they do with the area where the Terrain Management dial go?

 

[Machine090767]

There is a dial that has "This dial is inoperable" written on it.
LOL . J/K I suppose there is nothing there.

 

[omar302]

A little on/off specific topic but on 2WD Explorers what do they do with the area where the Terrain Management dial go?

There is an extra cup holder.

 

[Machine090767]

Aww. a little cup holder!

 

[Machine090767]

There is an extra cup holder.

There is an extra cup holder.

I see there is an "S" on the base by the gear shift. What does that do? (I have an "M" for manual shifting)

 

[peterk9]

I see there is an "S" on the base by the gear shift. What does that do? (I have an "M" for manual shifting)

Lincoln uses "S" for Sport in place of "M" for Manual.
From the Lincoln User Manual;
Extensive manual control can be achieved by moving the shifter to the S (Sport) position. The
system will stay in manual control until the shifter is moved out of the manual position.
BTW, my Platinum also has the 'S'.

Peter

 

[omar302]

I see there is an "S" on the base by the gear shift. What does that do? (I have an "M" for manual shifting)

Extensive manual control can be achieved by moving the shifter to the S (Sport) position. The
system will stay in manual control until the shifter is moved out of the manual position.
BTW, my Platinum also has the 'S'.

Peter

Like what peter stated, "S" is for sport, the transmission shifting strategy is changed, holding gears more & downshifting faster. The Explorer got the "S" mode in the 2016 model refresh. Another change in the 2016+ are the paddle shifters in place of the thumb +/- button on the shift lever. By the way, it was not a Lincoln exclusive feature, it was model dependent, The Edge/MKX/Taurus/MKS got it in 2013, maybe the Flex too, also the MKT.

 

[john193]

What is the maximum torque that can be applied to the rear wheel? From skimming this thread I'm seeing 50%. And does the AWD employ torque vectoring at all?

 

[peterk9]

What is the maximum torque that can be applied to the rear wheel? From skimming this thread I'm seeing 50%. And does the AWD employ torque vectoring at all?

In reading the Owner's Manual, it only mentions transferring power front to rear not side to side. As for the amount that can be transferred, there is no mention, I did at one time pull up the display in the left screen that shows the power distribution. I was in my driveway and hit the gas before immediately braking (70' driveway) and if I recall correctly, the diagram showed about 75% to the rear and 25% to the front wheels. That was with my 2011 Limited.

Peter