To put a Ford Expedition into 4WD, you typically use a rotary dial or a set of buttons located on your vehicle's center console, often near the shifter. This control allows you to select from various drive modes, including different four-wheel-drive options designed for specific driving conditions.
Understanding Your Expedition's 4WD System
Ford Expeditions are equipped with a sophisticated drive mode system that offers several options for managing power delivery to the wheels. For convenience, the vehicle often defaults to a specific mode, such as 2H or 4A, after each ignition cycle. The available modes generally include 2H, 4A, 4H, and 4L.
Steps to Engage 4WD
Follow these general steps to engage 4WD in your Ford Expedition:
- Locate the Drive Mode Selector: This is usually a rotary dial or a series of buttons on the center console.
- Review Current Mode: Your instrument cluster display will typically show the current drive mode.
- Select Desired Mode:
- 2H (Two-Wheel Drive High): Suitable for normal road conditions, offering the best fuel economy. No special action is needed to switch to or from 2H.
- 4A (Four-Wheel Drive Auto): This intelligent mode automatically distributes power between the front and rear wheels as needed. It's excellent for varied conditions, including light snow, rain, or mixed dry/slippery roads, and can generally be engaged while driving.
- 4H (Four-Wheel Drive High): Provides constant four-wheel drive for increased traction on slippery surfaces like snow, ice, sand, or loose gravel. It can typically be engaged while driving at moderate speeds.
- 4L (Four-Wheel Drive Low): Offers maximum torque for extreme off-road conditions, steep inclines, or pulling heavy loads at very low speeds. To engage 4L, you usually need to:
- Stop the vehicle.
- Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
- Turn the drive mode selector to 4L.
- Shift back into Drive (D) or Reverse (R).
When to Use Each 4WD Mode
Choosing the correct 4WD mode is crucial for both safety and preventing damage to your vehicle.
| Mode | Best Use Cases | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| 2H (Two-Wheel Drive High) | Everyday driving on paved, dry roads. | Maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes wear on 4WD components. Not suitable for slippery conditions. |
| 4A (Four-Wheel Drive Auto) | Mixed conditions, light snow, rain, gravel roads, or when conditions might change. | Provides the flexibility of AWD without manual intervention. Ideal for situations where you want proactive traction management without compromising drivability on dry pavement. |
| 4H (Four-Wheel Drive High) | Snow-covered roads, icy patches, sand, loose gravel, light off-roading. | Engages all four wheels in a locked, 50/50 power split (or similar fixed ratio, depending on the system). Do not use on dry, paved roads, as it can cause driveline binding and damage due to the wheels needing to turn at different speeds during turns. |
| 4L (Four-Wheel Drive Low) | Extreme off-roading, climbing steep hills, deep mud, soft sand, rock crawling, pulling heavy loads at low speeds. | Provides maximum torque multiplication for difficult situations. Only use at very low speeds and never on dry, paved roads. Driving at high speeds in 4L can severely damage the drivetrain. Always shift to Neutral before engaging or disengaging 4L. |
Tips for Engaging 4WD
- Consult Your Owner's Manual: Always refer to your specific Ford Expedition Owner's Manual for precise instructions, as features can vary by model year and trim.
- Slow Down for 4H/4L: While 4A can be engaged at any speed, it's generally recommended to slow down to under 55 mph (or as specified by your manual) before shifting into 4H. For 4L, the vehicle must be stopped, and the transmission in Neutral.
- Listen for Confirmation: After selecting a 4WD mode, you might hear a clunk or feel a slight shift as the system engages. A light on your dashboard will confirm the active mode.
- Avoid Dry Pavement with 4H/4L: Driving in 4H or 4L on dry, high-traction surfaces can cause severe damage to your drivetrain due to "driveline binding." These modes are designed for slippery conditions where wheel slippage can compensate for differing wheel speeds.
- Practice: If you plan on off-roading, practice engaging and disengaging your 4WD system in a safe, controlled environment to become familiar with its operation.
By understanding the different 4WD modes and when to use them, you can maximize your Ford Expedition's capabilities and navigate various terrains safely and effectively.
