Turn off 4wd when driving on the mini spare?

[evilgeek]

Hey y'all, long time, no post, but hi again!

This weekend my 2020 ST took a nasty puncture to one of the rear tires that left too big a hole for the tire shop to patch, so I'm now stuck driving around town on the donut while waiting for them to source a new Pirelli.

There is a huge difference in diameter between the donut and the regular tires, and when I first start driving there is a lot of bucking and shuddering. It feels like the transfer case is binding up. I've tried turning off traction control in case it's the ABS, but that didn't help. After driving a block or two I get an error message on the dash that says "4wd off" and then it drives smoothly after that.

So the question is, can I manually turn of 4wd before I start driving, so I don't put so much strain on the drive lines? Or alternatively, would there be any benefit in swapping the donut from the rear to the front? I'm trying to drive as little as possible until the new tire comes in, but I really shouldn't feel like I'm destroying the vehicle every time I have to go out on an errand.

thanks

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Hey y'all, long time, no post, but hi again!

This weekend my 2020 ST took a nasty puncture to one of the rear tires that left too big a hole for the tire shop to patch, so I'm now stuck driving around town on the donut while waiting for them to source a new Pirelli.

There is a huge difference in diameter between the donut and the regular tires, and when I first start driving there is a lot of bucking and shuddering. It feels like the transfer case is binding up. I've tried turning off traction control in case it's the ABS, but that didn't help. After driving a block or two I get an error message on the dash that says "4wd temporarily disabled" and then it drives smoothly after that.

So the question is, can I manually turn of 4wd before I start driving, so I don't put so much strain on the drive lines? Or alternatively, would there be any benefit in swapping the donut from the rear to the front? I'm trying to drive as little as possible until the new tire comes in, but I really shouldn't feel like I'm destroying the vehicle every time I have to go out on an errand.

thanks

We had the same problem and unfortunately there us no solution until you wait till it turns off AWD. It is a horrible sensation though.

 

[I bleed Ford Blue]

Don't worry about it. The 6th gen explorers are not real 4wd, they are AWD or 2wd. On top of that they all have open diffs front and rear on the 4wd or awd models except the timberline, they get a torsen rear diff.

 

[evilgeek]

ok, thanks for the replies. a bit disappointing, tbh. the list of things ford didn't really think through with the electronics in these vehicles just grows longer and longer.

 

[Bombsontarget]

When I did my first tire rotation I used the spare as a placeholder and was shocked at how small it was. I purchased a take-off rim and tire and carry it secured in the back.
Another “feature” Ford provided is that a full size tire doesn’t fit in the spare tire location so if you have a puncture on the road you need to have room for the removed full size tire in the luggage area.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

When I did my first tire rotation I used the spare as a placeholder and was shocked at how small it was. I purchased a take-off rim and tire and carry it secured in the back.
Another “feature” Ford provided is that a full size tire doesn’t fit in the spare tire location so if you have a puncture on the road you need to have room for the removed full size tire in the luggage area.

We found that removing the underfloor storage lid and placing the tire in it worked perfectly.

 

[J_C]

Don't worry about it. The 6th gen explorers are not real 4wd, they are AWD or 2wd. On top of that they all have open diffs front and rear on the 4wd or awd models except the timberline, they get a torsen rear diff.

Seems like lost by the tech details. I'd very much worry about it, and not drive it in that state. "a lot of bucking and shuddering"... are you kidding me? Just no. Causing excessive wear until it defaults out, is not a no worries situation. A differential is meant to slip "some", not constantly be cooking the fluid. At least take that into consideration when deciding on the next fluid replacement interval, sooner than otherwise would have happened.

The mini spare is meant to get you to a repair shop instead of being stranded, NOT to drive around on further than that.

I'm now stuck driving around town on the donut while waiting for them to source a new Pirelli

Who is "them"? If this has become a rare hard to get tire then you should research what else you can get that has nearly same actual diameter based on your tire wear and/or get a similar replacement tire and have it shaved down to the same diameter. At the same time I would take it upon myself to seek this tire on the internet.

 

[peterk9]

We found that removing the underfloor storage lid and placing the tire in it worked perfectly.

Was that is an Explorer? Just asking since that vehicle isn't on the list of vehicles you show. One person was able to put a full size spare in theirs but the issue is that you can't use the OEM equipment to secure it.

Peter

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Was that is an Explorer? Just asking since that vehicle isn't on the list of vehicles you show. One person was able to put a full size spare in theirs but the issue is that you can't use the OEM equipment to secure it.

Peter

We had two explorers as company cars, one a Hybrid and another the ST. We no longer have a Explorer of this generation, but have a 2010 Explorer. The ST is the one we got a flat on. I was referring to where you'd put the punctured tire.

 

[J_C]

Was that is an Explorer? Just asking since that vehicle isn't on the list of vehicles you show. One person was able to put a full size spare in theirs but the issue is that you can't use the OEM equipment to secure it.

Peter

I'd not be too worried about the spare going anywhere (during on-road driving) but if the cargo area then had this full sized spare sticking up so not a flat area for cargo, I'd feel compelled to level it off with a cut to fit piece of plywood and a covering over it, BUT, then with it sitting higher, you have an unlevel cargo area if you fold the seats down for longer objects?

 

[peterk9]

I'd not be too worried about the spare going anywhere (during on-road driving) but if the cargo area then had this full sized spare sticking up so not a flat area for cargo, I'd feel compelled to level it off with a cut to fit piece of plywood and a covering over it, BUT, then with it sitting higher, you have an unlevel cargo area if you fold the seats down for longer objects?

The concern would be an accident where the tire would become a flying projectile.

Peter

 

[Bombsontarget]

You’re going to be faced with securing the flat tire in the cargo area if you have a puncture.

Page 379 of the 2021 Ford Explorer Owner’s Manual states:

Stowing the flat tire
You cannot store the full sized road wheel in the temporary spare tire well.

The manual goes on to provide instructions on how to secure the flat tire in the cargo area using a supplied retainer strap tied to opposite side rear tie-down rings.

 

[J_C]

The concern would be an accident where the tire would become a flying projectile.

Peter

I could secure down the platform, since it would otherwise be subject to movement in that violent a wreck, whether there was a tire under it or not.

Then again, I don't have my 4-way lug wrench, or groceries/etc secured down that well, nor most loads when hauling something... just enough to not slide around and damage the trim panels, rear of front seats, or glass.