Seems like they perform the same function.
What do I have?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
What do I have?
i recently purchased a 2009 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4.
The owner manual states "FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)" OK, I got that.
It also states "Using the Control Trac 4WD system". OK, I have that I think.
It also states, "ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)" I don't know if I have that or not.
How do I tell for sure what 4X4 options this Explorer is equipped with? I have three buttons, 4X4 Auto, 4X4 High and 4X4 Low on the center console in front of the shift lever.
I hate to sound like a newb, but I haven't stayed up on this technology. My last 4X4 was a Nissan Xterra. It was pretty easy to figure out.
The owner manual states "FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)" OK, I got that.
It also states "Using the Control Trac 4WD system". OK, I have that I think.
It also states, "ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)" I don't know if I have that or not.
How do I tell for sure what 4X4 options this Explorer is equipped with? I have three buttons, 4X4 Auto, 4X4 High and 4X4 Low on the center console in front of the shift lever.
I hate to sound like a newb, but I haven't stayed up on this technology. My last 4X4 was a Nissan Xterra. It was pretty easy to figure out.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: SW Virginia
The AWD models were the ones equipped with the 20" wheels and were full-time All Wheel Drive. It kept power to the wheels all of the time and the usual split was 65% power to the rear wheels and 35% to the fronts. When it senses slip or loss of traction, it sends power to the wheels that have the most traction.
These buttons on your console, 4X4 Auto, 4X4 High, and 4X4 Low, basically do the following. In 4X4 Auto, the system senses changes in traction, etc. and shifts into and out of 4WD as needed. In 4X4 High, the 4WD system is locked in and there is power going to the front and rear wheels. In 4X4 Low, once again the system is locked in 4WD but in low range.
Yours has the Control Trac 4WD system and not the AWD system.
These buttons on your console, 4X4 Auto, 4X4 High, and 4X4 Low, basically do the following. In 4X4 Auto, the system senses changes in traction, etc. and shifts into and out of 4WD as needed. In 4X4 High, the 4WD system is locked in and there is power going to the front and rear wheels. In 4X4 Low, once again the system is locked in 4WD but in low range.
Yours has the Control Trac 4WD system and not the AWD system.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: SW Virginia
Actually the AWD is a no touch all wheel drive system that does all of the "thinking" for the driver and offers no opportunity for driver intervention. It maintains power to the front and rear wheels full-time but varies the torque split depending upon traction demands.
The Control-Trac system remains in 2WD until the system senses the need for more traction, at which point, the system intervenes on its own and engages 4WD. When the need for additional traction is gone, the system reverts to 2WD. Unlike the AWD system, it also offers the driver the option of locking into 4WD high and 4WD Low. In 4WD high and low, the torque split is 50/50 front to rear.
The Control Trac system would be my preferred system if I were going to be using the Explorer off-road in situations where slow crawling would be beneficial. It just gives you more options and control over the drive system of the vehicle. I had it in three different Explorer work vehicles and the option of having 4WD Low was a huge benefit for me.
The Control-Trac system remains in 2WD until the system senses the need for more traction, at which point, the system intervenes on its own and engages 4WD. When the need for additional traction is gone, the system reverts to 2WD. Unlike the AWD system, it also offers the driver the option of locking into 4WD high and 4WD Low. In 4WD high and low, the torque split is 50/50 front to rear.
The Control Trac system would be my preferred system if I were going to be using the Explorer off-road in situations where slow crawling would be beneficial. It just gives you more options and control over the drive system of the vehicle. I had it in three different Explorer work vehicles and the option of having 4WD Low was a huge benefit for me.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
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From: SW Virginia
Your default should be 4X4 Auto. As long as you leave it in that setting, the system will be in 2WD until you experience a low traction situation such as snow, mud, wet roads, etc. When the system experiences loss of traction, it will automatically shift itself into and out of 4WD as needed to maximize traction and the Advance Trac will also limit power in order to limit wheel spin.
Here's a site you can visit:
Hiller Ford - 2009 Ford Technical Information
Hiller Ford is a great resource for vehicle research and they have posted numerous documents available through their site. If you click on the Explorer link, it will take you to the technical information page which has a ton of information about the systems in your vehicle.
I can tell you from personal experience in the Explorers I was issued, the Control Trac system performed very well.
Here's a site you can visit:
Hiller Ford - 2009 Ford Technical Information
Hiller Ford is a great resource for vehicle research and they have posted numerous documents available through their site. If you click on the Explorer link, it will take you to the technical information page which has a ton of information about the systems in your vehicle.
I can tell you from personal experience in the Explorers I was issued, the Control Trac system performed very well.
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Postmaster
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From: Central Texas
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: BC Canada
You do not have AWD... (forget it)
You have ControlTrac, drive in AUTO until you understand how it works..
Low range is controlled by the shift motor on the T/C , needs attention.... Philip
You have ControlTrac, drive in AUTO until you understand how it works..
Low range is controlled by the shift motor on the T/C , needs attention.... Philip
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All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
• Fully automatic and requires no driver interaction
• AWD is considered full-time, since power is always going to
all four wheels all the time
• Uses a center differential to normally deliver approximately
65 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels and
35 percent of the engine torque to the front wheels
• When the system senses a loss of traction, it redirects
available engine torque to the wheels that have the most
traction and away from the wheels that are slipping
• Once the spinning wheels have regained traction, AWD
returns most of the torque to the rear axle
• Explorer AWD models require 20-inch polished aluminum
wheels and P255/50R20 all-season BSW tires
• AWD System and the 20-inch wheels and tires are designed
for and limited to on-road application and do not provide
off-road capabilities
• Fully automatic and requires no driver interaction
• AWD is considered full-time, since power is always going to
all four wheels all the time
• Uses a center differential to normally deliver approximately
65 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels and
35 percent of the engine torque to the front wheels
• When the system senses a loss of traction, it redirects
available engine torque to the wheels that have the most
traction and away from the wheels that are slipping
• Once the spinning wheels have regained traction, AWD
returns most of the torque to the rear axle
• Explorer AWD models require 20-inch polished aluminum
wheels and P255/50R20 all-season BSW tires
• AWD System and the 20-inch wheels and tires are designed
for and limited to on-road application and do not provide
off-road capabilities
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
What do you mean by your last comment on low range and ends with needs attention?
Steve
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