2021 Ford F-150 Owners Manual - Four-Wheel Drive

Four-Wheel Drive

Using the Electronic Shift On the Fly System (If Equipped)

This four wheel drive system utilizes a

2-speed Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) transfer case which is also known as a part-time system. This system offers the driver two-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive high, and four-wheel drive low as available modes of operation. When either four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low are selected, the system provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive power to both the front and rear wheels for use in off-road or slippery conditions such as deep snow, sand or mud. When four-wheel drive low is selected, the system provides additional gearing for increased torque multiplication for conditions like deep sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy objects. Additionally, the system is capable of recreational flat towing by putting the transfer case into a neutral position. See Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle (page 443).

The 2-speed automatic four-wheel drive system utilizes an electronically controlled on-demand 2-speed transfer case. This system monitors various vehicle sensory inputs to provide an increased level of performance. This system offers the driver two-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive auto, four-wheel drive high, and four-wheel drive low as available modes of operation. When four-wheel drive auto is selected, the system continuously varies power to the front wheels for optimum performance for all on-road conditions. When either four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low are selected, the system provides electronically locked power to the front

and rear wheels for use in off-road or slippery conditions such as deep snow, sand or mud. When four-wheel drive low is selected, the system provides additional gearing for increased torque multiplication for conditions like deep sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy objects. Additionally, the system is capable of recreational flat towing by putting the transfer case into a neutral position. See Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle (page 443).

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Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your vehicle could be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without getting stuck or damaging underbody components. The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle differently than an ordinary passenger car. Always maintain steering wheel control, especially in rough terrain. Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not grip the spokes. Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as rocks and stumps. Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering characteristics of your vehicle. Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.

Note: Do not use four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so can produce excessive noise, increase tire wear and can damage drive components. Four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low mode is only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces. Use of four-wheel drive low mode on these surfaces could produce some noise, such as occasional clunks, but should not damage drive components.

When transitioning from consistently loose or slippery surfaces, be sure the four-wheel drive system is not mechanically blocked once on dry, hard surfaced roads in

two-wheel drive high.

Do not use four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so can produce

excessive noise, increase tire wear and can damage drive components. four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low mode is only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces. Use of four low mode on these surfaces could produce some noise

,such as occasional clunks, but should not damage drive components. When transitioning from consistently loose or slippery surfaces, be sure the four-wheel drive system is not mechanically blocked once on dry, hard surfaced roads in

two-wheel drive high.

On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of the spare tire can affect the four-wheel drive system. If there is a significant difference between the size of the spare tire and the remaining tires, you could have limited four-wheel drive functionality.

When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly, it is recommended that you do not:

Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with a four-wheel drive mode turned on.

Turn on a four-wheel drive mode unless the vehicle is stationary.

Use a four-wheel drive mode on dry pavement.

When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly, four-wheel drive functionality can be limited, especially when driving in a mechanically locked four-wheel drive mode. You can experience the following:

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• Additional noise from the transfer case or other drive components.

• Difficulty shifting out of a mechanically locked four-wheel drive mode.

Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly can lead to impairment of the following:

• Comfort and noise.

• Winter weather driving capability.

• Wet driving capability.

• Four-wheel drive capability.

On four-wheel drive vehicles without a four-wheel drive auto selection (ESOF), the transfer case distributes torque to the front wheels by mechanically interlocking the front and rear driveshafts together.

Shifting performance of this type of system can be affected by various external factors including, but not limited to:

• Vehicle acceleration.

• Dissimilar tire sizes.

• Steering input.

If the system detects a mechanical shift block at speed after two-wheel drive high has been selected, a message can appear momentarily that four-wheel drive is unable to disengage one or more of following actions can relieve the mechanical shift block:

• Momentary acceleration.

• Momentary braking.

• Bringing the vehicle to a stop.

• Shifting the transmission to neutral and back to drive.

• Shifting the transmission to reverse and back to drive.

• Driving the vehicle around a tight turn at slow speed.

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The four-wheel drive mode control is on the instrument panel.

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To select a four-wheel drive mode, press the four-wheel drive mode control button of the desired mode. You can select

two-wheel drive high (2H), four-wheel drive high (4H), or if your vehicle has four-wheel drive auto (4A) at a stop or while driving. Once the shift is complete, the information display will then display

the selected four-wheel drive mode. While shifts are in progress, the lights on the four-wheel drive control switch can flash and you could see messages in the information display indicating that a shift is in progress or to release the accelerator pedal to improve shift performance.

Note: Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping or while applying the accelerator pedal.

Note: You could hear some noise as the system shifts or engages which is normal.

If the system detects a fault, a warning message appears in the information display. See Four-Wheel Drive – Information Messages (page 267).

To select or exit four-wheel drive low (4L):

Bring your vehicle to a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less.

Place the transmission in neutral (N)

Press the desired four-wheel drive button on the four-wheel drive mode control switch.

The information display will display a message indicating a four-wheel drive shift is in progress. If any of the above shift conditions are not present, the shift will not occur and the information display will display information guiding the driver through the proper shifting procedures. If there is a transfer case tooth blockage a message will display in the information

display. To alleviate this condition, place the transmission in a forward gear, move your vehicle forward approximately 5 ft (1.5 m), and shift the transmission back to neutral (N) to allow the transfer case to complete the range shift.

Note: You could hear some noise as the system shifts or engages which is normal.

If the system detects a fault, a warning message appears in the information display. See Four-Wheel Drive – Information Messages (page 267).

Two-wheel drive high is for general

on-road driving. Power is sent to the rear wheels only.

Two-wheel drive high can turn on or off based on Drive Mode selection See Drive Mode Control (page 328).

Four-Wheel Drive Auto provides electronic controlled four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front and rear wheels, as required, for increased traction on varying road conditions. The four-wheel drive auto function varies based on selected Drive Mode. See Selecting a Drive Mode (page 328).

Note: Four-wheel drive auto can turn on or off automatically based on Drive Mode selection. See Selecting a Drive Mode (page 328).

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Four-Wheel Drive High provides electronically or mechanically locked four-wheel drive power to both the front and rear wheels for use in off-road or

winter conditions such as deep snow, sand or mud. This mode is not for use on dry pavement.

Note: Four-wheel drive high can turn on or off automatically based on Drive Mode selection. See Selecting a Drive Mode (page 328).

Four-Wheel Drive Low provides electronically or mechanically locked four-wheel drive power to both the front and rear wheels for use on low traction surfaces, but does so with additional

gearing for increased torque multiplication. This mode is intended only for off-road applications such as deep sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy objects.

Note: Four-wheel drive low can turn on or off automatically based on Drive Mode selection. See Selecting a Drive Mode (page 328).

Momentarily illuminates when two-wheel drive high is selected.

Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive auto is selected.

Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive high is selected.

Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive low is selected.

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 can result in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake pedal when changes in vehicle speed are required. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration and braking. This could result in an increased risk of vehicle roll over, loss of vehicle control and personal injury. Use all available road surface to bring your 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.

If your vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e. from concrete to gravel) there can be a change in the way your vehicle responds to a maneuver, i.e. steering, acceleration or braking.

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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 excessive wheel slip.

When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside temperatures, use a low gear when possible. Low gear operation can maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.

Avoid driving at excessive speed. This causes vehicle momentum to work against you and your vehicle could 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

Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you are driving in mud. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. If your vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain control of your vehicle.

After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.

Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts can cause an imbalance that could damage drive components.

If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake capability may be limited. When driving through water, determine the depth and avoid water higher than the bottom of the hubs. If the ignition system gets wet, your vehicle may stall. Once through water, test the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying improves by applying light pressure to the brake pedal while moving slowly.

Note: Driving through deep water may damage the transmission. If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant should be checked and changed if necessary.

Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up or down a hill or steep incline, you should try to drive straight up or straight down.

Note: Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possible vehicle roll over.

Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you can 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 your vehicle stalls, do not try to turnaround because this could cause vehicle roll over. It is better to reverse back to a safe location.

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Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much power can cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of vehicle control.

Descend a hill in the same gear you would use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive brake application and brake overheating. Do not descend in neutral. Disengage overdrive or move the transmission selector lever to a lower gear. When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden hard braking as you could lose control. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer your vehicle.

Note: If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump the brakes.

Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting from a full stop.

Avoid sudden braking. Although a

four-wheel drive vehicle may accelerate better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it cannot stop any faster as braking occurs at all four wheels. Do not become overconfident as to road conditions.

Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Do not pump the brake pedal. See Anti-Lock Braking System Limitations (page 273).

Note: Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.

Four-wheel drive vehicles have advantages over two-wheel drive vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like any other vehicle.

Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.

Illuminates when a four-wheel drive or power train fault is present.

Note: When a system fault is present, the system can typically remain in whichever mode was selected prior to the fault condition occurring. It does not default to two-wheel drive in all circumstances. When this warning is displayed, have your vehicle serviced by an authorized dealer.

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