Starting the weekend off right

[JExpedition07]

Got the Expedition stuck out in Amish country in a ditch going to a friends cabin. Went to pull off the road in what seemed to be a shoulder to enter an address into maps but it was actually a sharp ditch packed with snow. Truck went at a 45 and got stuck. Put it right into 4x4 Low and it moved a bit then sank even further. No internet service so had to call my poor dad and he came out and pulled me in the F-250. Didn’t even think she was gonna pull out because he pulled me for what seemed like a mile in that ditch until the truck finally got out. Keep in mind I was in 4x4 and so was he. That ditch did not want to let go. In the end the Expedition is out unharmed, but I sat there in the middle of nowhere....I mean nowhere with no bars in the heat for a long time. Thank god I got a bar to call someone after walking up the road.

 

[Jamo]

Glad you got out with no damage. I was thinking of a different kind of bar lacking that was so upsetting to you...

 

[Plati]

$50 says you need an alignment now, all 4 wheels

always a good idea to be prepared with winter boots gloves hat & clothes when going for a drive in winter weather. could save your life

 

[JExpedition07]

The scary part was due to the sharp angle the tank went from over half to empty. The sender must be on that side.....if the pickup is in the same spot it would have been running dry shortly after and sucking air methinks. All of a sudden it said 15 miles to E. Once the truck was upright again it went back up to half tank.

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

I was gonna say....no bars in Amish country lol

Coulda been worse, could've ended up on the side or even inverted. Had it happen to me in a Jeep. Have scars from that..

 

[JExpedition07]

Wish Ford protected these plastic gas tanks a bit better.....

 

[Kevin08]

Hopefully running at that angle didn’t starve anything of oil. But better to risk the truck than freeze.

 

[Trainmaster]

Wish Ford protected these plastic gas tanks a bit better.....

They offer an optional plastic skid plate to protect their plastic tank...

 

[JExpedition07]

Could have been a close call if there were any Sharp rocks....gas tank has a few good scratches on it.

 

[07navi]

Could have been a close call if there were any Sharp rocks....gas tank has a few good scratches on it.

But how often does that happen? I'm fine with the plastic tanks exposed.

 

[chuck s]

I got stuck in the snow at a Taco Bell drive thru that had not been plowed. Nothing like a ditch, of course. Could not move either way until I turned traction control (or whatever it's called) OFF. Walked right back then.

-- Chuck

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

But how often does that happen? I'm fine with the plastic tanks exposed.

Believe it or not, some of us actually drive our rigs in adverse conditions. Just because it's good enough for you...doesn't mean it's good enough for the next guy. Quit thinking like a socialist.

 

[JExpedition07]

I got stuck in the snow at a Taco Bell drive thru that had not been plowed. Nothing like a ditch, of course. Could not move either way until I turned traction control (or whatever it's called) OFF. Walked right back then.

-- Chuck

4x4 Low automatically turns TC off. She wouldn’t have gotten out even if I had mechanical lockers in the front and rear haha. It was jammed in there deep.

 

[Plati]

I got stuck in the snow at a Taco Bell drive thru that had not been plowed. Nothing like a ditch, of course. Could not move either way until I turned traction control (or whatever it's called) OFF. Walked right back then.

-- Chuck

I got stuck in my yard , next to my garage yesterday. Totally flat. I park the 2014EL there to make it easier to snowblow the driveway. It was there a week. Not much snow (few inches) and I've been cleaning it out but apparently just enough to create a tiny little bump in front of wheels to drive out of. Spin spin spin forward & reverse ... in AWD. I popped it into 4LO and walked right out. Seems like AWD would have done it, maybe if I had been a bit more aggressive?

Speaking of the rotary switch .. I guess the story is that when Borg Warner made the original prototype system for Ford -- an Engineer used a fan switch and it just has remained that way for many years.

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

It's the trac control. When it detects wheel slip, it cuts power, hence you don't go anywhere.

Hold the traction button in until it flashes on the cluster. Then, you'll move in the wet white crap.

The reason it does this in 4L is because 4L automatically disables trac control. It's in your owners manual, too.

 

[Plati]

So

It's the trac control. When it detects wheel slip, it cuts power, hence you don't go anywhere.

Hold the traction button in until it flashes on the cluster. Then, you'll move in the wet white crap.

The reason it does this in 4L is because 4L automatically disables trac control. It's in your owners manual, too.

So it is, never knew. I guess I figured Ford would only implement TCS if you are moving forward at <some number of mph> not dead stop.

4wd and TSC | Ford Expedition Forum

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

I didn't know about it either till I read it here.

This also works on the 4th gen Explorers (and probably the 3rd gen too) and I'd bet new F150s as well.

 

[Plati]

So

So it is, never knew. I guess I figured Ford would only implement TCS if you are moving forward at <some number of mph> not dead stop.

4wd and TSC | Ford Expedition Forum

I went down to the park to do some ice skating today, lotsa snow. Tested a bit in the parking lot (all snow ice covered & flat). Starting from a dead stop. 2WD is spin city and the TCS light flashes. AWD much better traction than 2WD and TCS flashes. 4LO even better traction and no TCS flash. I think I'll just stick with switching to 4 when I need it but if I'm ever going up a hill and need to get rid of TCS to keep going I guess I can push that button and hold it.

I've had great luck putting it into 4LO to get going up a steep gravel hill when AWD would throw gravel dig a hole and not move me as well.

 

[Trainmaster]

It's in your owners manual, too.

Just had that experience today in about a foot of snow. Couln't figure out why I was stuck; I never get stuck. Then I remembered the traction control and cut the sucker out.

Engineer used a fan switch and it just has remained that way

I learn something new every day.

 

[jeff kushner]

4lo in the Expedition is like the "Mighty Mike" jeep toy of the late 60's! Anyone who had one, knows they can climb nearly anything in a normal home! Chain drive too!

An expy w/o it would not be the same to me.

That thing would climb nearly anything.........

I've laid a comforter over 27" of snow and down to my front tires when my son and I drifting in a field wedged snow under the truck, engage 4lo, let off brake.....that's it.....it won't be denied<LOL>! The thing is a beast.

jeff

PS, hope all is well Train