2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

• A traditional design that uses a conventional tube axle with steering knuckles mounted at each end
• Used on all Excursion 4x4 models

• Used on all Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Explorer 4-Door and Expedition models
• Differential assembly is mounted to the front frame
• Equal-length halfshafts transmit power to the front wheels
• Torsion bar springs used on Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac and Expedition 4x4 models
• Coil springs used on Explorer 4-Door and Expedition 4x2 models

• Coil spring is positioned over a shock absorber
• Fewer parts and less weight than conventional suspension systems
• Used on all Escape models

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

 Escape 

Control Trac^® II (Escape)

• Escape has a full-time four-wheel drive system called Control Trac II. This system is different than other Ford four-wheel drive systems
• Four-wheel drive engagement is quiet, smooth and transparent
• Provides two rotary settings: 4x4 AUTO and 4x4 ON
• 4x4 AUTO should be used in most driving conditions. In this mode, the drivetrain automatically proportions more torque to the rear axle when slippage occurs
• 4x4 ON is comparable to the 4x4 HIGH mode found on other Ford four-wheel drive systems. In this mode, a solenoid in the rotary blade coupling locks the front and rear axles together. This setting is intended only for off-road or winter weather where no pavement remains uncovered - it is not intended for use on dry pavement
• Control Trac II does not use a conventional transfer case. It uses a transaxle-mounted power transfer unit and a rotary blade coupling to transfer power between the front and rear axles
• Components of this system include a power transfer unit mounted to the transaxle, a 2-piece driveshaft, a rotary blade coupling and a rear axle differential
• The power transfer unit transfers power from the transmission to the driveshaft. This unit replaces the transfer case typically found in conventional four-wheel drive systems
• The 2-piece driveshaft carries power from the power transfer unit to the rotary blade coupling. The 2-piece design of the driveshaft reduces noise and vibration
• The rotary blade coupling is the brain of the system. In 4x4 AUTO mode, it senses differences in speed between the front and rear wheels. When slippage is detected, it pumps hydraulic fluid to activate a clutch. The clutch redirects power to the rear axle differential. The rear axle differential sends power to the rear wheels. When the front and rear wheels are spinning at the same speed, the rotary blade coupling disengages the clutch pack and power is directed back to the front wheels

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

 Explorer Sport 2-Door and Explorer Sport Trac 

Part-time Electronic Shift-on-the-fly (Select Drive)

• On models equipped with electric shift, an electro-magnetic clutch is used to spin up the front drive system from zero mph to vehicle speed. When the transfer case front and rear output shafts are synchronized, the spring-loaded lockup collar mechanically engages the mainshaft hub to the drive sprocket and the electro-magnetic clutch is then deactivated
• The electronic shift-on-the-fly, also referred to as a part-time 4x4 system, includes a full-featured, 2-speed transfer case
• The system is activated using a rotary switch on the instrument panel with three positions: 2WD, 4x4 HIGH and 4x4 LOW
• In 2WD mode, the transfer gear is disengaged, sending engine power only to the rear axle. This mode delivers normal traction
• The 4x4 HIGH mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to both axles. It is only intended for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow and ice (where no pavement remains uncovered), and shallow sand. 4x4 HIGH should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corners
• The 4x4 LOW mode supplies four-wheel drive with full power to both axles and includes a lower gear ratio for low speed. It is only intended for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades, and when pulling a boat and trailer out of water. 4x4 LOW should never be used on dry pavement
• Can be shifted between 4x2 and 4x4 HIGH at any speed
• At temperatures below 32F, shifts from 4x2 to 4x4 HIGH should not be performed above 45 mph

 

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

 Explorer 4-Door 

Control Trac^®
(Explorer 4-Door and Expedition)

• This system includes electronic logic and a full-featured, 2-speed transfer case
• For Explorer 4-Door, the system is activated using push buttons on the instrument panel: 4x4 AUTO, 4x4 HIGH and 4x4 LOW
• For Expedition, the system is activated using a rotary switch on the instrument panel with four positions: A4WD (four-wheel drive auto), 4H (four-wheel drive high), 4L (four-wheel drive low), and 2H (two-wheel drive)
• The 4x4 AUTO (or A4WD) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to the rear axle, and to the front axle as required for increased traction. This mode is appropriate for any driving, whether on dry pavement or in adverse conditions; though for extreme winter weather or off-road driving, a customer may choose to switch to 4x4 HIGH (4H) or 4x4 LOW (4L)
• The 4x4 HIGH (4H) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to both axles. It is only intended for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow and ice (where no pavement remains uncovered), and shallow sand. 4x4 HIGH should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corner
• The 4x4 LOW (4L) mode supplies four-wheel drive with full power to both axles and includes a lower gear ratio for low speeds. It is only intended for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades, and when pulling a boat and trailer out of water. 4x4 LOW should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corners
• 2HIGH (2H) uses the Integrated Wheel End System (IWE) to disengage the front driveline at the wheel ends and send all available engine torque to the rear wheels. With 2HIGH engaged, a 4x4 Expedition operates as a rear-wheel drive vehicle
• Only the Explorer 4-Door Control Trac automatic models can be retrofitted with a Neutral Tow Kit through a Ford dealer to allow the transfer case to be shifted to Neutral. This permits the vehicle to be flat towed for extended distances (such as behind a motorhome) without risking damage to the automatic transmission. Explorer 4-Door AWD and Expedition do not have this capability
• The Control Trac system is for the customer who needs
  4x4 capabilities for various reasons and situations. Unlike All-Wheel Drive, Control Trac allows the customer to lock the front and rear driveshafts together in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low modes and is intended for severe weather or off-road conditions

• The full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system is permanently engaged through a one-speed transfer case
• Sends power to all four wheels 100% of the time, automatically
• Does not require the driver to actively engage the system
• The AWD system employs a center differential, normally delivering approximately 65% of engine torque to the rear wheels and 35% of engine torque to the front wheels
• If the front wheels or rear wheels slip, a viscous coupling inside the transfer case automatically reapportions engine torque to the wheels on the axle that still has traction
• The viscous coupling is a contained unit consisting of a series of clutch plates in silicone fluid. If wheels on either axle slip, a shearing force created inside the coupling provides a locking torque to resist the slip and transfer torque to the wheels on the axle that still have traction
• Since it employs a single-speed transfer case, the AWD system is not intended for serious off-road use. Full-time AWD cannot be locked into "4x4 High" or "4x4 Low"
• This AWD system is for the customer who wants four-wheel drive capabilities for safety and security but does not want the complexity of other 4x4 systems

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

 Expedition 

Control Trac^®
(Explorer 4-Door and Expedition)

• This system includes electronic logic and a full-featured, 2-speed transfer case
• For Explorer 4-Door, the system is activated using push buttons on the instrument panel: 4x4 AUTO, 4x4 HIGH and 4x4 LOW
• For Expedition, the system is activated using a rotary switch on the instrument panel with four positions: A4WD (four-wheel drive auto), 4H (four-wheel drive high), 4L (four-wheel drive low), and 2H (two-wheel drive)
• The 4x4 AUTO (or A4WD) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to the rear axle, and to the front axle as required for increased traction. This mode is appropriate for any driving, whether on dry pavement or in adverse conditions; though for extreme winter weather or off-road driving, a customer may choose to switch to 4x4 HIGH (4H) or 4x4 LOW (4L)
• The 4x4 HIGH (4H) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to both axles. It is only intended for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow and ice (where no pavement remains uncovered), and shallow sand. 4x4 HIGH should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corner
• The 4x4 LOW (4L) mode supplies four-wheel drive with full power to both axles and includes a lower gear ratio for low speeds. It is only intended for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades, and when pulling a boat and trailer out of water. 4x4 LOW should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corners
• 2HIGH (2H) uses the Integrated Wheel End System (IWE) to disengage the front driveline at the wheel ends and send all available engine torque to the rear wheels. With 2HIGH engaged, a 4x4 Expedition operates as a rear-wheel drive vehicle
• Only the Explorer 4-Door Control Trac automatic models can be retrofitted with a Neutral Tow Kit through a Ford dealer to allow the transfer case to be shifted to Neutral. This permits the vehicle to be flat towed for extended distances (such as behind a motorhome) without risking damage to the automatic transmission. Explorer 4-Door AWD and Expedition do not have this capability
• The Control Trac system is for the customer who needs
  4x4 capabilities for various reasons and situations. Unlike All-Wheel Drive, Control Trac allows the customer to lock the front and rear driveshafts together in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low modes and is intended for severe weather or off-road conditions

2003 SUV 4x4 Operations

The following information is subject to change without notice.  Contact dealer to verify.

 Excursion

• Similar switch and positions as Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac
• Pulse Vacuum Hublock front axle system allows the driver to engage the front hubs from inside the vehicle and to shift into or out of four-wheel drive at up to 55 mph or at a standstill
• To disengage, current speed may be maintained without having to stop or travel in a reverse direction
• PVH allows total disengagement of the front wheels, resulting in optimized 4x2 performance
• Excursion models feature manual override capability. This permits the driver to lock the hubs at the front wheels if preferred
• The PVH system allows for synchronous hublock engagement when the customer shifts on the fly. This provides for virtually silent 4x4 engagements and disengagements
• The PVH system can be disengaged from the cab of the vehicle while maintaining the vehicle's current speed and direction, offering true freewheeling from the cab
• No shift delays in cold weather
• This system optimizes fuel economy because all front driveline components are disconnected at the wheels in the 4x2 mode
• 4x2 mode PVH is optimized because the front driveline is static
• The PVH system does not require regular front axle/wheel-end service intervals (under normal driving conditions)