traction LINCOLN AVIATOR 2005 User Guide

If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the AdvanceTrac
system off by pressing the AdvanceTrac
button.
This will allow your tires to“dig”for traction. Pressing the control once
will disable the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement and the engine
power reduction portion of the traction enhancement feature; the brake
portion of the traction enhancement feature will still function normally.
Pressing and holding the control for more than five seconds will disable
the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement and traction enhancement
feature. If the AdvanceTrac
system is activated excessively for an
extended period of time, the brake portion of the system will shut down
to allow the brakes to cool down.
A limited AdvanceTrac
function using only engine power reduction will
still help control the wheels from over-spinning. When the brakes have
cooled down, the system will again function normally. Anti-lock braking is
not affected by this condition and will function normally during the
cool-down period.
AdvanceTrac
enhances your vehicle’s stability during maneuvers that
require all available tire traction, like in wet/snowy/icy road conditions
and/or when performing emergency maneuvers. In an emergency
lane-change, the driver will experience better overall vehicle traction,
and have better control of the vehicle.
The AdvanceTrac
system helps the driver maintain steering control if
the vehicle begins to slide excessively left or right or spin out.
AdvanceTrac
will attempt to correct the sliding motion by applying
brake force at individual tires and, if necessary, by reducing engine
power.
Driving conditions which may activate AdvanceTrac
include:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Hitting a patch of ice
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Hitting a curb while turning
•Driving on slick surfaces
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
Towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter)
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Roll Stability Control System (if equipped)
The Roll Stability Control system works in conjunction with the
AdvanceTrac
system to further enhance the vehicle’s overall stability
during aggressive maneuvers. The system helps maintain roll stability of
the vehicle during aggressive maneuvers by applying brake force to one
or more wheels.
Driving conditions that may activate Roll Stability Control include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
The AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control system automatically turns on
when the engine is started. However, the system does not function when
the vehicle is traveling in R (Reverse). In R (Reverse), ABS and the
traction enhancement feature will continue to function.
The AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability
Control button allows the driver to
control the availability of the
AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control
system. AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability
Control system status is indicated by a warning indicator light with a
“sliding car”icon in the instrument cluster that will flash when the
system is active and an indicator light in the control button that will
illuminate when the system is turned off. In vehicles with a message
center, the message“ADVTRAC OFF”will be displayed.
If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control
system, the warning indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on.
If the warning indicator light in the instrument cluster remains on while
the engine is running, have the system serviced immediately.
Pressing the control once will disable the AdvanceTrac
stability
enhancement/Roll Stability Control and the engine power reduction
portion of the traction enhancement feature; the brake portion of the
traction enhancement feature will still function normally. Pressing and
holding the control for more than five seconds will disable the
AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement/Roll Stability Control and traction
enhancement feature. If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when
driving in deep sand, switching off the AdvanceTrac
system may be
beneficial so the wheels are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose
engine power while driving in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off
the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement feature will restore full engine
power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
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D (Drive) without Overdrive
D (Drive) with Overdrive can be
deactivated by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
side of the gearshift lever.
•This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
•O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
•To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control
switch. The O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
•O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
3 (Third)
Transmission operates in third gear only.
Used for improved traction on slippery roads. Selecting 3 (Third)
provides engine braking.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
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Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid“over-driving”your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. 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, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
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Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), the system indicator light may illuminate depending on
how much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
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Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly”is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by“treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
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Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
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