Best drive mode for rainy weather?

[Dominik]

Hi everyone

I live in Vancouver BC in Canada November seems to rain a lot and I’m not really sure what drive mode to set my expedition it’s a normaly driving mode it’s just into Wheel drive and tends to slip at times options are mud and ruts sand grass gravel snow I’m just not sure what mode to leave it on any input would be much appreciated

thanks everyone

 

[1955moose]

If it's just rain I don't know if any would be right. Your talking engaging 4 wheel drive modes right? You can try experimenting, but be careful. You don't want to do any damage to the transfer case, or front hubs.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Dominik]

it’s the rain and the wind ,every time my wife drive the expedition it seems to slip on some edges when she’s turning say for a left turn ,where we live it rains but heavy rain as well it Definitely does slip at times even though the traction control is on as well but saying all this it’s just on normal mode and not 4A so may have to try that see how it goes .

 

[aporthole]

For wet roads, definitely just switch it to 4A.

 

[rumline]

You shouldn't be slipping on a turn unless you/she is driving too fast. Some tires just suck in the rain. I'd say it's more likely that than any drive mode; 4wd doesn't help with traction for turning or stopping.

 

[1955moose]

Check tire pressure. Its possible you have too much air in tires, fronts in particular. I wouldn't run above 37 in wet weather, unless door sticker says higher.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Dominik]

It’s definitely not the speed it’s definitely just when you’re turning it seems to fish tail at times and I did try for wheel auto and I made a big difference

 

[dlcorbett]

Thats weird, mines is 2wd and ive never had a problem in the rain. It is sensitive to wind and thw steering is somewhat vague(you wont feel loss of traction) but no fishtailing or slippage.

 

[JExpedition07]

I used to run in 4A a lot but don’t much anymore. I started thinking about it and every time it’s sending power forward your synchro is being used and wearing on T-case more. Why put unneeded stress on the drivetrain? I just use 4x4 when I need it now. Think it’s like you switching to 4H over and over again if you get to used to juicing it in slippery conditions. There is driver error going on if you are fish tailing in rain...

 

[aggiegrad05]

I used to run in 4A a lot but don’t much anymore. I started thinking about it and every time it’s sending power forward your synchro is being used and wearing on T-case more. Why put unneeded stress on the drivetrain? I just use 4x4 when I need it now. Think it’s like you switching to 4H over and over again if you get to used to juicing it in slippery conditions. There is driver error going on if you are fish tailing in rain...

I’m at 11k miles and have been running 4A for the last 1k or so. I find that it’s a little zippier that way. It is a wee bit louder as I can hear...something...additional when it’s in 4A, possibly just the Tcase. But it really just sounds like an ever so small increase in road noise. I have noticed a little dip in mpgs but nothing obscene, maybe 0.5 mpg.

 

[benyl]

It’s definitely not the speed it’s definitely just when you’re turning it seems to fish tail at times and I did try for wheel auto and I made a big difference

Haha, sounds to me like your wife thinks the gas pedal is an on/off pedal. Either no gas or full gas.

I live in Calgary and even with ice on the road, my expedition is not fish tailing.

Put it in eco mode, the throttle mapping will be better for someone who pushes the pedal too much.

By the way, 4A improves traction in all situations. Turning, going, stopping.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JExpedition07]

Haha, sounds to me like your wife thinks the gas pedal is an on/off pedal. Either no gas or full gas.

I live in Calgary and even with ice on the road, my expedition is not fish tailing.

Put it in eco mode, the throttle mapping will be better for someone who pushes the pedal too much.

By the way, 4A improves traction in all situations. Turning, going, stopping.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If only this were true. 4A doesn’t improve stopping or turning, it only helps when you hit the go pedal. 4A is basically a temporary 4H mode when you hit the gas and the front end grabs to help gain traction. Meaning it only sends power forward when the rear wheels slip on acceleration. It can’t do anything to help you stop or turn, you have the same amount of traction stopping in 2WD or 4WD, and same with turning unless your juicing the gas.

 

[benyl]

If only this were true. 4A doesn’t improve stopping or turning, it only helps when you hit the go pedal. 4A is basically a temporary 4H mode when you hit the gas and the front end grabs to help gain traction. Meaning it only sends power forward when the rear wheels slip on acceleration. It can’t do anything to help you stop or turn, you have the same amount of traction stopping in 2WD or 4WD, and same with turning unless your juicing the gas.

Maybe true for older systems, but not in the 2018.

4A simply allows slip for dry pavement. The front wheels are fully active at all times. It’s basically 4H where the transfer case doesn’t lock.

I just took this picture. 30km/h, dry pavement, turning a corner, quarter throttle or less. Front wheels are engaged.



Here is the page out of the manual. No where does it state that power is rear only until the wheels slip. It simply says it varies the power.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JExpedition07]

Maybe true for older systems, but not in the 2018.

4A simply allows slip for dry pavement. The front wheels are fully active at all times. It’s basically 4H where the transfer case doesn’t lock.

I just took this picture. 30km/h, dry pavement, turning a corner, quarter throttle or less. Front wheels are engaged.



Here is the page out of the manual. No where does it state that power is rear only until the wheels slip. It simply says it varies the power.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 3rd gen owners manual states the same, still can’t change physics. 4WD provides no additional traction when braking or turning...I highly doubt these trucks are running down the road in 4WD on dry pavement. Would wear driveline components and drastically reduce MPG, not to mention serious binding when turning in the front end. I kind of question the accuracy of the display.

Here is the excerpt from an 07’ manual:

 

[Plati]

Wikipedia explains it somewhat, and there are good references at the bottom can be linked and read for further info ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ControlTrac

I've driven nothing but Expy's since 1998 (3 so far) and almost exclusively use AWD, 4A, 4x4 Auto ... whatever its called. Only very rarely on snow covered roads use 4H. Maybe once or twice used 4L to get out of a tight spot. I've tested 2H vs 4A on interstates several times in the past few years to see if I can get better gas mileage with no discernible difference (to me). I try to run the vehicle in all settings (briefly) at least once a year just so they get used and keep working (kind of like turning your a/c on once or twice in winter). On the occasional time I had it in 2H (over the years) I have noticed a little slip from a dead stop on a wet road if I stomped on it. Theres one guy on this Forum (at least) that likes to run 2L because he says "it's more fun" ... kind of like running an un-picked snowmobile track and sliding through corners.

 

[Artie]

Maybe true for older systems, but not in the 2018.

4A simply allows slip for dry pavement. The front wheels are fully active at all times. It’s basically 4H where the transfer case doesn’t lock.

I just took this picture. 30km/h, dry pavement, turning a corner, quarter throttle or less. Front wheels are engaged.



Here is the page out of the manual. No where does it state that power is rear only until the wheels slip. It simply says it varies the power.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So you can see the power distribution to each wheel?? That’s cool, I’m jealous!

 

[JohnT]

4a uses a clutch pack in the T-case to transfer power to the front so power delivery can be adjusted. It's not your fathers T-Case where it's either engaged or not. So 4A can deliver power to the front as required without binding as the clutch pack can be letting it slip. Computer uses steering wheel angle sensors, ABS etc to figure out whether to fully lock up or allow slip. I assume as its a wet clutch pack which usually have a lot of life in them as long as you change the oil as required.

 

[Dominik]

Great input all around guys.

With winter around the corner I’m going to be investing into some good winter tires .
every time it’s heavy we’re going to be driving the expedition in 4 wheel drive.

Thanks again guys.

 

[JExpedition07]

4a uses a clutch pack in the T-case to transfer power to the front so power delivery can be adjusted. It's not your fathers T-Case where it's either engaged or not. So 4A can deliver power to the front as required without binding as the clutch pack can be letting it slip. Computer uses steering wheel angle sensors, ABS etc to figure out whether to fully lock up or allow slip. I assume as its a wet clutch pack which usually have a lot of life in them as long as you change the oil as required.

When did Ford start using this? Is this new for 2018+ vehicles?

 

[JohnT]

For a few years now on Explorer and I believe the F-150 maybe the same time

have a read of this https://www.f150forum.com/f118/awd-vs-automatic-4wd-4a-318140/index6/#post5075900

Post 52 if you lose the direct link