Rangers TM Feature Use

[Mobius97]

Snow is finally here for my area and this is the main reason why I bought the truck (my first). So far so good! The Ranger has been fantastic!

Boring back story...cliff notes...I work from home but the wife took a promotion that has her traveling and managing her sales team taking our Acura SUV with her for local travel or to the airport. Me owning two Lotus cars as my primaries...not the best scenario for inclement weather and getting around on my own......it was an unbelievable PITA last winter. This year I wasn't going to deal with it so the Ranger to the rescue.

My question: I've read the manual but it calls out that the Terrain Control/Terrain Management selection for Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand and Mud/Ruts modes are for off-road use only. Am I fine engaging this mode on ice packed snowy suburban streets? I do believe that this is ok and think it would be foolish if it wasn't but for whatever reason, I am second guessing myself. I have been using it on hard packed snow on the asphalt and haven't had any issues but don't want to muck anything up. I think I am being too literal in reading the manual but I am not afraid to ask a stupid question.

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[hawk43]

Snow is finally here for my area and this is the main reason why I bought the truck (my first). So far so good! The Ranger has been fantastic!

Boring back story...cliff notes...I work from home but the wife took a promotion that has her traveling and managing her sales team taking our Acura SUV with her for local travel or to the airport. Me owning two Lotus cars as my primaries...not the best scenario for inclement weather and getting around on my own......it was an unbelievable PITA last winter. This year I wasn't going to deal with it so the Ranger to the rescue.

My question: I've read the manual but it calls out that the Terrain Control/Terrain Management selection for Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand and Mud/Ruts modes are for off-road use only. Am I fine engaging this mode on ice packed snowy suburban streets? I do believe that this is ok and think it would be foolish if it wasn't but for whatever reason, I am second guessing myself. I have been using it on hard packed snow on the asphalt and haven't had any issues but don't want to muck anything up. I think I am being too literal in reading the manual but I am not afraid to ask a stupid question.

Imo yes you're good. Packed snow and ice you are not actually on the road are you... Have fun and good luck...Though I will throw in here that Ford is stupid not not allowing for AWD mode. It already has the capabilities...

 

[Enitan]

In my experience:

I’ve used snow and mud on snow filled roads and on muddy insane seasonal roads on nice days.

snow I didn’t find so useful as was more about personal throttle control

the mud on the monstrous mud rut filled seasonal roads I’ve gone down as well as going out into dig fields was absolutely fantastic.

Not sure if that helps but hope it does ::shrug::

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I think it's because the Terrain Modes are made to be used in the most extreme and hard to drive in conditions, like on a rutted out two-track trail up in the mountains on a sloppy spring day. A snow/ice covered suburban street is hardly an "extreme" driving condition in that vain. I've found that 2H, a light foot, and some common sense is all you need for the majority of conditions, and popping it into 4H is plenty for 99% of the conditions a suburban/city street can throw at you. But if you want, or are largely unaccustomed to driving in winter conditions, the Snow Mode will definitely help. It just tweaks the throttle and braking response and changes the traction and stability control settings to give you the best chance of getting traction and keeping control. As far as rubber hitting the road, it's no different than being in regular 4H. So as long as you don't use it anywhere you wouldn't use 4WD, then you'll be fine.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Imo yes you're good. Packed snow and ice you are not actually on the road are you... Have fun and good luck...Though I will throw in here that Ford is stupid not not allowing for AWD mode. It already has the capabilities...

Hi Hawk43,

I don't know for sure this is true that AWD capability is there...Does the transfercase have a differential?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

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