FORD EXPEDITION 1998 1.G Owners Manual

The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency.
Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's
stopping distance will be adversely
affected.
Pull the release lever to release
the brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with
power steering. Power steering
uses energy from the engine to
help steer the vehicle.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or the extreme
left for more than a few seconds
when the engine is running. This
action could damage the power
steering pump.
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is
speed sensitive. At high speeds,
BRAKE
HOOD
Driving
101

steering assist will decrease to
improve steering feel. At lower
speeds, maneuverability will be
increased.
If the amount of effort required to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system checked by
your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is
designed to improve ride, handling
and general vehicle performance
for static, on and off-road driving
conditions.
²The load leveling feature of the
air suspension automatically
keeps the vehicle at a constant
level if a load is added or
removed from the vehicle.
²The height adjustment feature
automatically controls the
vehicle height over a range of
approximately 5 cm (2 inches)
based on vehicle speed, ignition
position and selection of two or
four-wheel drive modes.
Driving
102

The air suspension shut-off switch
is located behind an access panel
underneath the passenger side
instrument panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF
EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction
on slippery surfaces, particularly
when one wheel is on a poor
traction surface. Under normal
conditions, the Traction-Lok axle
functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the
manufacturer's specified size tires
on a Traction-Lok rear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect
normal driving and should not be
noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run
the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when
changing a tire.
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
OFF
Driving
103

TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P (Park) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to
OFF. Apply the brake pedal and
shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud
or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each
gear.
Driving
104

Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed
automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift
positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
Driving
105

R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the
gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on
the end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate.
Drive± Not shown on the display.
Activate by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
end of the gearshift lever with the
gearshift in the
position. The
TCIL (the word OFF) will
illuminate on the gearshift lever.
Transmission operates in gears one
through three.
(Drive) provides
OVERDRIVEOFF
OVERDRIVE
Driving
106

more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down
steep hills
²additional engine downhill
braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while
you towin theTowing a trailer
chapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode,
press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL (the word OFF)
will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started,
the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off
and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to
cancel overdrive operation if
driving in overdrive is not desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low)
at higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower
Driving
107

gear, and will shift to 1 (Low) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
CONTROL-TRAC AUTOMATIC
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
Your 4x4 features a heavy-duty
Control-Trac system, including a
computer-operated transfer case.
Coupled with a
center-disconnected front axle, this
unique system is interactive with
the road, continually monitoring
and adjusting torque delivery to
the front and rear wheels to
optimize vehicle control.
Positions of the Control-Trac
system
The Control-Trac A4WD system
functions in four modes:
²2Hposition delivers power only
to the rear axle.
²A4WDposition delivers power
to the rear axle. If the rear
wheels lose traction, power will
be automatically delivered to the
front axle to maintain traction
throughout the slippery
condition.
²4Hposition provides
mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power delivery to front
and rear axles.
²4Lposition provides
mechanically locked four-wheel
4H
2HA4WD4L
Driving
108

drive when above average power
at reduced speeds is required.
Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds
as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars
are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
Using the Control-Trac system
Shifting to A4WD
Move the 4WD control to A4WD at
a stop or at speeds up to 88 km/h
(55 mph).
²At temperatures below 0ÉC
(32ÉF), shifts from 2H to A4WD
or 4H should not be performed
above 72 km/h (45 mph).
²Do not shift into A4WD when
only the rear wheels are
spinning.
Shifting to 2H
Move the 4WD control to 2H at
any forward speed.
4H
2HA4WD4L
4H
2HA4WD4L
Driving
109

Shifting from 4H to 4L (and 4L
to 4H)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N
(Neutral).
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4H
(or 4L) position.
Shifting from A4WD to 4H
Move the 4WD control from A4WD
to 4H at any forward speed.
Shifting from 2H to 4H can be
done at speeds up to 88 km
(55 mph).
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at
all times, especially in rough
terrain. Since sudden changes in
terrain can result in abrupt
steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from
4H
2HA4WD4L
4H
2HA4WD4L
Driving
110