4wd use advice

[Minden]

Ok so never had a 4wd before picking a 2001 2.2 rs sport Frontera on Sunday, so I gather there is some type of switch on the dash that engages 4wd, couple of questions can it be done whilst moving and I think the small gear knob is hi and low range when are the hi and low ranges used and again can they be changed whilst moving. Proper noob questions I know but if you never done it you won't know and if you don't ask still never know. Cheers guys Lee

[4x4 bobby]

Hi bud. The answer to your question is yes the B series can be put into 4wd on the fly as its called as long as you are traveling below 60mph. There should be a card on the drivers sun visor informing you exactly how to use it. Never engage 4wd on a hard surface ie tarmac or concrete road. If your on snow coverd roads its great!

Regards Bobster.

[Minden]

[gregster]

Low 4wd is used where high torque is needed, ie climbing steep terrain off road, and where driving slower is going to be an advantage if the surface is very rough, where otherwise the car would be bouncing all over the place out of proper control. Low 4 also give superior engine breaking, for very steep decents off road.

[fogman]

things to check when viewing -
when you press the 4wd button the dash light should flash for a few seconds while 4wd engages and should then show a solid light ( non flashing) to indicate 4wd has engaged as it should, if it continues to flash then the 4wd system has a problem and wont of fully engaged . you may need to be moving ( but thats not necessary) for it to engage/disengage which is perfectly normal but only test that by moving in a straight line unless on a slippery surface.

if youve not driven a fronty 2.2 petrol before the temperature gauge should sit at approx 85deg however if in standing traffic for any length of time that will soon rise to 100 deg, just before that point the electric fans will have cut in ( at low speed) and cool it back down to 85ish again ( this can be checked when warm and with the bonnet up after youve taken the test drive ) if you are sitting with it running especially in the warm temps we are having now the needle will be up and down regularly, i found that quite strange after having had fords for much of my driving past ( they never moved lol )

finally get underneath and check the chassis ( ive seen some which are pretty rusty, probably caused by launching boats etc ) and rails especially the 1 tucked up behind the rear bumper that would rust first if at all, apart from that all the normal checks you would do when looking over a car

good luck on sunday

[ghosthunter]

Nobody's answered your other question.......high/low range lever can only be moved when 4wd is engaged and can only be moved when stationary. The car will only come out of 4wd if the hi/lo lever is in the hi position when you press the button.