How to use the Explorer's four-wheel drive?
2 Answers
When driving at high speed with light traffic, you can press the cruise control button to let the vehicle automatically supply fuel, freeing your feet. When the vehicle is stuck in mud or sand and cannot free itself with two-wheel drive, press the four-wheel drive button to use four-wheel drive for timely escape.
As a long-term user of the Explorer, using the four-wheel drive is actually quite simple. After getting in the car, start the engine first and let it run—don't rush to drive. On the center console, you'll see a terrain management system knob—usually called Terrain Select, with different icons representing modes like snow, mud, sand, etc. For everyday city driving, I just leave it in automatic mode, where the system adjusts power automatically—it's worry-free and fuel-efficient. But when encountering rain, snow, or muddy roads, I simply turn it to snow mode, which enhances traction and prevents slipping. Once, when climbing an icy slope, this mode helped me pass safely. However, I should remind you not to use high four-wheel drive on dry roads—it wastes fuel unnecessarily and could even damage the tires. For routine maintenance, I regularly check the four-wheel drive indicator light to ensure the system is functioning properly. Remember, try different scenarios more often, gradually build experience, and always prioritize safety.
