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A four-wheel drive (4WD) system helps give you traction on slippery driving surfaces or on rough, off-road terrain.

The heart of a 4WD system is the transfer case — a secondary transmission assembly that is driven from the main transmission. The transfer case distributes power to both axles to drive all four wheels. It can be full-time, in which power is delivered to both axles at all times or part-time, where the driver selects two- or four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is often combined with independent suspension systems and off-road-type tires to enhance driveability on rough, off-road terrain, or on-road driveability in unfavorable driving conditions.

AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, AdvanceTrac® AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) helps you stay in control on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice, gravel, or rain-soaked roads.

The patented AdvanceTrac® RSC® system uses a roll-rate sensor to measure roll motion at least 100 times per second, detecting unstable situations and reacting instantaneously to help keep the tires firmly planted.

Anti-Lock Braking System, ABS The four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) used by Ford helps provide straight, more controlled stops, while helping the driver maintain steering control under most road conditions, including slippery road surfaces.

Sensors continuously monitor the speed of each wheel. When impending wheel lockup is detected, the computer signals the hydraulic control unit to apply and release (automatically pumping) the brakes several times per second with split-second timing, providing a level of braking efficiency that even professional race car drivers cannot duplicate, and resulting in shorter stopping distances and greater braking and steering control.

The first, most forward, roof support pillar located on either side of the windshield. Also known as windshield pillar or A-post.

The center roof support that divides the front and rear doors on four-door and wagon models. On two-door models, the B-pillar separates the door and rear quarter window/panel. On vans and club wagons, the B-pillar is behind the front doors.

The rear roof-supporting member on most vehicles. On station wagons, this pillar separates the rear doors and quarter panel glass.

The vertical, or sometimes diagonal, roof-support member at the extreme rear of the roof or greenhouse structure on wagons, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and some sedan body styles.

A type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. Ford uses the Atkinson-cycle engine to provide efficiency in the Escape Hybrid.

The Atkinson cycle, where the power stroke is longer than the compression stroke, provides increased fuel economy.

All-wheel drive (AWD) automatically splits engine torque between the front and rear wheels as needed, improving on-road traction in unfavorable road conditions.

Often confused with four-wheel drive (4WD), this drive system features four, full-time active drive wheels to reduce wheel slippage and provide greater driver control over the vehicle. Unlike 4WD, AWD is an on-road system and is not designed for off-road use. AWD does not require the driver to actively engage the system. It is operational at all times, and requires no switches, lights, or visor instructions for system operation.

A styling term that refers to the imaginary line going from the hood, which usually follows the bottom edge of the windows and continues to the trunk.

The Belt-Minder® System features an audible beep that drivers continue to hear if they neglect to buckle up after the initial federally required belt reminder stops chiming.

In the event of a frontal collision with a car, the BlockerBeam® is designed to make contact with the frame rails of a car. This helps to prevent the car from sliding beneath the higher-riding vehicle.

The portion of the vehicle that constitutes the functional elements that attach to the frame, including:

• Suspension
• Steering components
• Powertrain
• Brakes
• Fuel system

A paint type and process that provides a rich, lustrous finish that is easy to care for. The clearcoat paint process consists of acrylic enamel final coats.

The Control Trac® System includes electronic logic and a full-featured, two-speed transfer case.

For Explorer four-door, the system is activated using push buttons on the instrument panel with three selections: 4x4 AUTO, 4x4 HIGH, and 4x4 LOW.

For Expedition, the system is activated using a rotary switch on the instrument panel with three positions: A4WD (four-wheel drive auto), 4H (four-wheel drive high), and 4L (four-wheel drive low).

4x4 AUTO (or A4WD) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to the rear axle, and to the front axle as required for increased traction. This mode is appropriate for any driving, whether on dry pavement or in adverse conditions; though for extreme winter weather or off-road driving, a customer may choose to switch to 4x4 HIGH (4H) or 4x4 LOW (4L).

4x4 HIGH (4H) mode provides four-wheel drive with full power to both axles. It is only intended for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow and ice (where no pavement remains uncovered), and shallow sand. 4x4 HIGH should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corners.

4x4 LOW (4L) mode supplies four-wheel drive with full power to both axles and includes a lower gear ratio for low speeds. It is only intended for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades, and when pulling a boat and trailer out of water. 4x4 LOW should never be used on dry pavement, as the vehicle will bind when going around corners.

Only the Explorer four-door automatic models can be retrofitted with a Neutral Tow Kit through a Ford dealer to allow the transfer case to be shifted to neutral. This permits the vehicle to be flat towed for extended distances (such as behind a motor home) without risking damage to the automatic transmission. The Expedition does not have this capability.

Sections of a vehicle body and/or frame engineered to progressively deform in a collision, thereby absorbing impact forces instead of transferring them to the passenger compartment.

Litres: the common metric measurement of engine displacement.

Engine displacement is the measure of the total cylindrical volume through which the pistons of an engine move from one end of the stroke to the other. The formula to determine the displacement of an engine is:

Displacement = .7854 x Bore x Bore x Stroke x Number of Cylinders

For example: the displacement of the 4.6L V-8 (281-cid) engine is: 280.3 (0.7854 x 3.55 x 3.55 x 3.54 x 8).

Also called the driveline or powertrain, it includes all power-transmitting components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface. These components include the engine, transmission, clutch, transaxle/transmission, and drive axle.

An engine design in which two camshafts are fitted atop the cylinder head, one to operate the intake valves and the other to operate the exhaust valves, resulting in improved performance and fuel efficiency.

The name given to four- and six-cylinder dual overhead cam engines manufactured by Ford.

The voice-activated, hands-free Navigation System combines DVD mapping with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.

It features a 6.5î colour LCD screen with high-quality graphics, voice route guidance feature, plus touch-screen simplicity for ease of use. The system helps you locate destinations such as gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, and more. Also includes the Audiophile® sound system that features nine speakers and a six-disc, in-dash CD changer.

Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) applies more or less braking pressure to each wheel in order to maximise stopping power while maintaining steering control.

EBD automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc. Often coupled with Anti-Lock Braking Systems, EBD helps you stay in control of your vehicle.

An electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case allows for easy and quick 4WD engagement that doesn't require stopping the vehicle.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a computerised system designed to improve a vehicle's handling by intervening at the limits of traction and helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.

In Ford vehicles, this system is called AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™). It helps you stay in control on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice, gravel, or rain-soaked roads. The patented RSC system uses a roll-rate sensor to measure roll motion at least 100 times per second, detecting unstable situations, and reacting instantaneously to help keep the tires firmly planted.

A device used to couple a semi-trailer to a truck.

In most F-Series models, the fifth wheel is an upper mounting on the pickup box floor. The upper fifth wheel engages a trailer and consists of a plate and a rigidly mounted kingpin. A lower fifth wheel mounts on a tractor frame and consists of a base, rocking plate, and locking mechanism that engages the kingpin on the trailer.

A vehicle that can operate on E85 gasoline that burns cleaner than conventional gasoline.

E85 is a blend of fuel ethanol and unleaded gasoline, containing up to 85 percent fuel ethanol.

A drive system where the engine and transaxle components apply the driving force to the front wheels rather than the rear wheels.

Benefits of front-wheel drive include maximised passenger space, enhanced cargo area, and excellent drive traction, particularly on wet or slippery surfaces, since the drive is through the front wheels, which carry a heavier load.

Gross Axle Weight Rating — the weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the load-carrying capacity of a single-axle system, front or rear.

The GAWR is limited by the lowest individual rating of tires, wheels, springs, or the axle itself.

Gross Combined Weight Rating — the weight specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a towing vehicle and its trailer.

The sum of the loaded vehicle weight of the truck and trailer should not exceed the GCWR. GCWR = vehicle curb weight + payload + trailer weight + driver and passengers.

GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to Earth. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.

Gross Trailer Weight Rating — the total weight of a trailer that is loaded to capacity, including the weight of the trailer itself, plus fluids, and cargo.

The static tongue load, and the weight of the trailer as measured at the trailer coupling, is 10-15 percent of the GTWR.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the actual weight of a vehicle as determined by curb weight, payload, driver, passengers, and optional equipment.

The Gross Vehicle Weight should not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the vehicleís warranty could be voided. Refer to the specific vehicleís Owner Guide.

The common measurement of an engine's power. The higher the horsepower the better a vehicle will accelerate and take off from a stop.

Horsepower is expressed as the torque in lb.-ft. times the number of revolutions per minute divided by the constant 5,252:

HP = Torque x Engine Speed - (T x rpm) 5,252.

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines a conventional propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle without being hampered by range from a charging unit like a battery electric vehicle, which uses batteries charged by an external source.

Hydroforming allows complex shapes with concavities to be formed, which would be difficult or impossible with standard solid die stamping.

Hydroformed parts can often be made with a higher stiffness to weight ratio and at a lower per unit cost than traditional stamped or stamped and welded parts. To hydroform aluminum into a vehicle's frame rail, a hollow tube of aluminum is placed inside a negative mold that has the shape of the desired end result. High-pressure hydraulic pistons then inject a fluid at very high pressure inside the aluminum, which causes it to expand until it matches the mold.

Independent rear suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e., reacting to a bump in the road) independently of each other.

Lower Anchors and Tethers anchors for CHildren.

This system incorporates rigid metal anchor bars built into the vehicle structure, which are located in the two rear outboard seating positions where the seat back meets the seat bottom. The child-safety seat is placed directly on the seat and attaches to the rigid anchor bars and the top tether anchor, in addition to the safety belt.

A type of suspension layout in which a coil spring is positioned over a strut with fewer parts and less weight than conventional suspension systems.

This layout is used on the front and rear suspensions of many passenger cars.

Monobeam axles are a non-independent design and are used in heavy-duty applications. This simple design can support greater weight.

An engine design in which the valves are in the cylinder head and the camshaft is within the engine block and requires pushrods and rocker arms to open the valves.

The panoramic Vista Roof™ features a large forward panel that tilts up or fully opens, plus a fixed rear skylight.

The total combined area of the two panels is more than three times the size of a conventional moonroof. The Vista Roof™ vent position is designed to allow fresh air in while keeping out the elements. Power-operated dual shades can be closed to block out nearly 100 percent of UV rays.

The Personal Safety System® features state-of-the-art frontal crash protection with dual-stage front airbags, front safety belt pretensioners, front load-limiting retractors, driver and front passenger seat crash severity sensors, and front seat-mounted side airbags.

Piezo-actuated injectors deliver multiple precision fuel injections for a smoother, cleaner burn, reduced diesel clatter, superb cold-start capability, and reduced emissions.

These diesel engines are tuned to generate large amounts of torque at low RPM, while significantly increasing fuel economy compared to standard engines of comparable size.

Quiet Steel® is a suite of engineered multilayer composites with various viscoelastic cores among layers of metal.

These 100-percent recyclable laminated steel materials offer significant cost reduction opportunities and enhanced Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) performance characteristics.*

* Source: http://www.quietsteel.com/quietsteel.html.

This feature includes a camera mounted in the tailgate and a video display in the rearview mirror. The system is activated whenever the vehicle is put into reverse gear. The wide-angle camera provides a birdís-eye view of the trailer ball, and the built-in distance guide on the video display makes the Reverse Camera System ideal for trailer hook-up or backing up to a loading dock. The system stays on for three seconds after shifting out of reverse, allowing you to confirm the security of your trailer hook-up.

The Reverse Sensing System alerts the driver to the presence of certain objects near the rear of the vehicle when backing up slowly during parking maneuvres.

Ultrasonic sensors in the bumper detect obstacles up to six feet to the rear. Beeping, with increasing frequency, indicates that the vehicle is closing in on the object.

The body section below the base of the door openings sometimes called the "rocker panels."

The Safety Canopy® System provides head-protection coverage for outboard-seated occupants in both rows, and side-impact and rollover sensors that direct deployment in certain types of side impact collisions or rollover events.

A supercharger increases the horsepower of an internal combustion engine.

A supercharger (blower) is a gas compressor that forces more air and thus more oxygen into the combustion chamber(s) producing more power than is achievable with ambient atmospheric pressure. The additional mass of oxygen-containing air forced into the engine improves its volumetric efficiency, allowing it to burn more fuel in a given cycle and thereby produce more power.

A supercharger can be powered mechanically by belt, gear, and shaft, or chain-driven from the engine's crankshaft. It can also be driven by a gas turbine powered by the exhaust gases from the engine. Such turbine-driven centrifugal superchargers are correctly known as turbo-superchargers, or more commonly, turbochargers.

An engine design in which the camshaft is located atop the cylinder head, operating both the intake and exhaust valves.

Single-overhead cam (SOHC) V-6 and V-8 engines, which are designed with cylinders in two banks, have a total of two cams, one for each cylinder head. All engines using the overhead cam design offer the potential for greater power output and higher engine speeds (rpm) when compared with overhead valve designs

Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement is comprised of advanced structural elements — including a hydroformed cross-car beam running between door frames to strengthen each body side.

Sport Utility Truck — similar to an SUV, but with a truck bed.

SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communication and entertainment system available on 2008 Ford models.

Tilt allows the steering wheel to change angles while telescopic moves the wheel closer or farther away from the driver.

A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an electronic system to monitor the air pressure inside a pneumatic tire.

The TorqShift® transmission was specifically designed to handle high-torque diesel performance and includes a selectable Tow/Haul Mode that compensates for altitude, grade, and load conditions.

A turning or twisting force that produces rotation, expressed in pound-feet. In general, the higher the torque, the better a vehicle will be able to accelerate, climb hills, and haul and tow heavy loads.

Torsen® (a contraction of torque sensing) traction helps reduce drive wheel slippage on slippery driving surfaces.

In rear axle applications, it is used to apportion appropriate torque distribution between left and right sides in rear axles. This may be on either a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle.

Triton® engines put the torque where itís needed most, delivering 90 percent at or below 2000 rpm.

Their single-overhead-cam design uses a maintenance-free silent chain drive, which eliminates push rods, helping to increase horsepower and torque.

A turbocharger increases the horsepower of an internal combustion engine.

A turbocharger consists of a rotary compressor or pump that pressurises engine intake air. It is driven by the flow of exhaust gases. The increased pressure forces more air into the cylinder than it could normally draw, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and in turn produce more power.

Twin I-Beam independent front suspension helps your vehicle handle better.

A high-strength girder beam axle shaft connected to each wheel in an independent design allows each front wheel to travel over road shocks separately from the other front wheel. Coil springs and shock absorbers that help spread out road shocks, keep the wheels in firm contact with the ground

Variable-cam timing (VCT) technology changes the valve timing by either advancing or retarding the camshafts to allow for optimum engine performance, reduced emissions, and increased fuel efficiency.

Active yaw control (AYC) transfers torque to the wheel that has the better grip on the road.