Ford Motor Co. says its 2011 Ford Explorer will have a control system that lets drivers select how much traction they want based on road conditions. Using a dial in the center of the console, drivers can select one of four modes: Normal roads, muddy roads, snowy roads or sand. The SUV then adjusts the engine, transmission, brakes, wheel rotation speed and other systems.
For example, if a driver sets the dial to snow, the Explorer will engage traction control, use more braking and slow down the wheels. In sand, it will do the opposite, since the wheels need to keep spinning. The new system will come standard on all four-wheel-drive models of the 2011 Explorer, which goes on sale at the end of this year.
Drivers were confused by the current Ford Explorer’s Control Trac system, which allowed them to switch to high or low traction or stay in automatic, said Jim Holland, the 2011 Explorer’s chief engineer. The new system replaces Control Trac and brings together some functions that were previously separate. In the current Explorer, for example, drivers who wanted to go over sand could turn off their anti-lock brakes for a better ride, but most didn’t know that. The new system does that automatically.
This new add-on is especially great for vacationers or people that live in rough terrains.
