Terrain management adapts the responses of the vehicle’s engine, transmission, 4WD system, and stability control system to match the demands of the terrain. It optimizes driveability and comfort as well as maximizing traction. The terrain management knob located on the center console can be shifted on the fly, enabling the following settings:
Snow
this program should be used where a firm surface is covered with loose or slippery material. Surfaces covered in packed snow, ice, water, grass, gravel or a thin coating of sand, for example.
How it works: • Shift schedule less aggressive to better handle slippery surfaces • Upshifts quickly Sand this program should be used for soft dry sand or deep gravel terrain. if the sand to be crossed is damp/ wet, and sufficiently deep to cause the wheels to sink into the surface, the mud/ruts program should be used.
How it works: • Shift schedule is more aggressive during low-speed maneuvers • Delayed upshifts and aggressive back-out inhibit of upshifts is much different than normal mode • Low-speed 3-2 and 2-1 downshifts have more shift feel than normal mode Hill Descent Control manage descent via calibrated target speed by holding low gear and auto- applying brakes.
Mud/ruts this program should be used for muddy, rutted, soft or uneven terrain.
How it works: • Shift schedule is not as aggressive as sand mode • Upshift schedule is pushed out • More shift feel on low-speed downshifts

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Related Tags: dry sand, engine transmission, ford explorer, gravel, hill descent control, low speed, maneuvers, material surfaces, mud, ruts, slippery material, slippery surfaces, snow ice, speed 3, stability control, target speed, terrain management, thin coating, uneven terrain, water grass