Four Wheel Drive Icon
An image appears in the instrument cluster to advise you of the power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The more the area is filled, the more power is being distributed to that wheel.
Note:   Four-wheel drive is also called 4WD and 4x4.
Note:   Do not use the four-wheel drive lock, the rear differential lock or off-road selectable drive modes on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so can produce excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components. These features are only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces. Operating your vehicle outside of these conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive stress, which may result in damage not covered under your warranty.   See   G.O.A.T. Mode Control. 
Note:   When a system malfunction is present, a warning message appears in the instrument cluster.   See   Information Messages.  This means the system is not properly functioning and has defaulted to front-wheel drive. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note:   A message appears in the instrument cluster if the system overheats and switches to front-wheel drive. This condition could occur if you operate your vehicle in extreme high load conditions or with excessive wheel slip, for example deep sand. To resume four-wheel drive function as soon as possible, stop your vehicle in a safe location and switch the ignition off for a minimum of 10 minutes. After the system cools, normal four-wheel drive functionality resumes.
Note:   If a warning message appears in the instrument cluster when using the spare tire, it turns off after reinstalling the repaired or replaced road tire and you perform a key cycle.
Note:   It is recommended that you reinstall the repaired tire or replace the tire as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes could cause system damage or default the system to front-wheel drive.
Driving in Special Conditions With Four-Wheel Drive
Four-wheel drive has operating characteristics that are somewhat different from front-wheel drive, both on and off the freeway.
When driving at slow speeds under high load conditions use a low gear when possible. Low gear operation maximizes the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the air conditioning cycles on and off to prevent the engine from overheating.
Note:   It may be useful to select the most appropriate drive mode to maximize vehicle performance most effectively.  See   G.O.A.T. Mode Control. 
Note:   In certain conditions, you need to switch traction control off to allow for more wheel spin and engine torque if your vehicle becomes stuck.
Note:   If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, check the rear axle lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant and change if necessary.  See   Driving Through Water Limitations. 
Basic Operating Principles
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering characteristics of your vehicle.
When driving your vehicle on surfaces made slippery by loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice, proceed with care.
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your speed and avoid severe braking. After you reduce the speed, ease your vehicle back onto the road. Do not turn the steering wheel sharply when returning your vehicle to the road.
It could be safer to stay on the shoulder of the road and gradually slow down before returning to the road. You could lose control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
It might be less risky to strike small objects, such as freeway reflectors, which could cause minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a sudden return to the road which, could cause your vehicle to slide sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the safety of others is your primary concern.
Emergency Maneuvers
In an unavoidable emergency where you need to make a sharp turn, remember to avoid over-driving your vehicle, for example, turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid the emergency. Excessive steering can result in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake pedal when changes in vehicle speed are required. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration and braking. This could result in an increased risk of vehicle rollover, loss of vehicle control and personal injury. Use all available road surface to bring your vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
If your vehicle goes from one type of surface to another, for example, from concrete to gravel, there will be a change in the way your vehicle responds to a maneuver, for example, steering, acceleration or braking.
Four-Wheel Drive Lock (If Equipped)
The four-wheel drive lock increases performance by preventing the front and rear axles from disconnecting. You can activate and deactivate the four-wheel drive lock on the fly by pressing the button on the drive mode control. It also engages based on certain selected drive modes.   See   What Is G.O.A.T. Mode Control. 
Note:   The four-wheel drive lock is not intended for use on dry pavement. Using the lock on dry pavement can produce excessive noise, increase tire and vehicle wear.
Note:   The system may require the four-wheel drive lock in some drive modes, preventing you from disabling.
Four Wheel Drive Lock  The 4WD lock indicator illuminates in the instrument cluster when in use. When in standby mode, the light displays gray. When active, the light changes color.
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Rear Differential Lock (If Equipped)
This feature provides additional traction on loose or steep terrain, or should your vehicle become stuck. You can activate and deactivate the rear differential lock feature while moving within the operating speed range by pressing the button on the drive mode control. The feature disengages when the vehicle speed exceeds a set value and it re-engages when the vehicle speed goes below a set value. It also engages based on certain selected drive modes.   See   Selecting a G.O.A.T. Mode - 1.5L EcoBoost™. 
The rear differential lock is for use in mud, rocks, sand or off-road conditions where you need maximum traction. It is not for use on dry pavement.
Note:   This feature is for off-road use only and is not for use on dry pavement. Using the rear differential lock feature on dry pavement can produce excessive noise, and increase tire and vehicle wear. Operating your vehicle in these conditions could subject your vehicle to excessive stress, which may result in damage not covered under your warranty.
Note:   This feature is not available in all drive modes.
Locking Differential  The rear differential lock indicator illuminates in the instrument cluster when in use. When the feature is in standby mode, the light displays gray. While the feature is active, the light changes color.
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Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you do not make modifications such as adding or removing parts, for example, lift kits or stabilizer bars, or by using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
We recommend that you use caution when your vehicle has either a high load or device, for example, a ladder or luggage racks. Any modifications to your vehicle that raise the center of gravity could cause your vehicle to roll over when there is a loss of vehicle control.
Failure to correctly maintain your vehicle could void the warranty, increase your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities, and adversely affect you and your passenger's safety. We recommend you frequently inspect your vehicle's chassis components when you subject your vehicle to off-road use.