Just bought a 2000 Explorer XL (the really plain one!) with 4WD and an auto transmission. I did a search on the site first because I don't want to ask questions that have been dealt with before, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. So somebody please help me out. The Explorer came sans owners manual. I (I'm ashamed to admit!) have never owned a 4X4 before. It's got the switch on the dash with three positions:

1. Auto--I assume this is the same thing as 2wd high. But why do they call it Auto? What does this setting actually do?

2. As to 4wd high and 4wd low, how and when do I shift into these? What I'm asking is do I have to stop to shift into 4 high, and if not, how fast can I be going when I shift into it? And can I use it on the road, such as in situations where it's raining/icy, etc? How fast is the fastest I can go in 4 high?

3. With 4 low, I guess I have the same question I had above. How and when do I shift into this? What is 4 low generally used for?

4. This one is from the "Just My Luck" department. Picked up the Explorer today, and all was great. Got home, got the family and headed to town. When my wife attempted to open the drivers side door, the handle broke (Yep, on the first day I had it!! ) Looks like there are two "curved parts" that go into the door, and actuate the opening mechanism. One side broke. So, I have to open the drivers door from the inside. Is this a part I can replace myself? Where do I get one? Is a Ford dealership my only option, and about how much will this cost me?

I know I've asked a lot of questions, and I'm sorry! But I really need some info because I don't want to tear up this truck or do something wrong. I'm going to order an owners manual from my local Ford dealer soon, but I need help now. Thanks in advance.

Rotorhead

 

the Auto position means that the front wheels will pull when the back ones slip...very handy in snow and ice

 

When in "Auto": you actually have a small percentage of power to the front wheels at all times. If you hit a slippery condition, power is engaged to the front wheels. The ABS brakes will apply a small amount of pressure to the wheel that is spinning faster to help transfer the power to the other wheels. Use this setting when driving on pavement, whether they are slippery or not. The system works very well and reacts quickly to slippery conditions.

"4WD High": This will engage the front wheels and make all four wheels have full power. Only use this on roads where the wheels can slip slightly such as gravel roads or hardpack snow. If you drive in this position on dry pavement, the drivelines will have excessive tension on them and cause bearing failures. You can switch into this position when stopped or moving so long as you are not turning and are going under 50 mph. Once in 4WD High, there is no speed limit, though if the roads are slippery enough to require it, I wouldn't go much over 50mph. I often drive in this position on gravel roads (wet or dry) and believe that it actually helps smooth the ride a little.

"4WD Lo": Only switch into this position when you are completely stopped, the transmission is in "Neutral" (not in "Park", either), you are already in 4WD High, and your foot is on the brake. After you place it in 4WD Lo, it will take a little bit for it to get there and might be accompanied by a "clunk". If it doesn't go in, put it back into Auto, drive backward a few feet, stop, put it into Neutral, then 4WD High, then 4WD Lo. It should go in then.

Broken Door handle: If you want to fix it yourself, I would get a used one from a junk yard or eBay. Any junk yard can get one (most are networked) but prices will vary tremendously from yard to yard. For their quoted price, they usually pull the part for you. Most people can do the job themselves, but make sure you get the tooling needed to remove the door panel.

 

Thanks a bunch for the info. You'd think a local boy from down here south of the Grit Line would know something about 4X4s, but it sounds like this ain't my Mama's 4X4 (she drives a chebby Z71! )

 

If you need an owners manual they are scanned in adobe on ford's homepage. I can't remember exactly where it is but if you look around it is there.

 

Thank you. I went to the Ford dealership to get a new door handle and asked about them ordering me an owner's manual and the guy said it was going to be 30 bucks. I told him I just bought an Explorer. I don't HAVE thirty bucks!

 

I will try to ive you some steps to get your owners manual from the ford website.
go to ford.com and select 'Vehicles & Service', then select 'owners', for the next step you will need your VIN #, sign up for 'My Vehicle', 'My Ford', after signing up there will be an option for service and manuals where the owners manual is located. It is in adobe format.

 

Thank you very much. Now I've just got to get motivated to go out in the rain and get the VIN number. lol.

 

ebay periodically has handles too