2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line 4x4 vs AWD

[ExplorerSTLine]

Yea, another dumb question...I have heard that the 4x4 runs in All Wheel Drive by default until 4x4 is needed? Is that true?

Thanks!

 

[powerboatr]

Yes in the ST is does
As for the st line trim??
You have the other engine right?
On my dash it stares AWD. And has a power distribution type gauge..it's mostly rear getting power ..but changes on pavement directly with application of the fun pedal

 

[ExplorerSTLine]

Thanks for the reply PowerBoatr. I have the 4X4 with 2.3 engine. The only drivetrain view is related to off-road (or something like that) with degree stuff. I know in my Edge and Escape you could see if the front wheels, rear wheels or both were pulling but not this puppy.

Thanks again.

 

[powerboatr]

Might be a way in forscan
I will look
But I doubt ford spent time amd money having 2 different awd modes based on engine
However.. all the 3.0 4wd ones I have seen ..show up as AWD
Where asthe 4wd st line other engine show up as 4wd vice AWD
Sort of odd imo

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Yea, another dumb question...I have heard that the 4x4 runs in All Wheel Drive by default until 4x4 is needed? Is that true?

Thanks!

These cars are not 4x4 to start. Second, AWD seems to be pretty active and according to the gauge that I’ve seen only disengages the front side once you have hit a certain speed or start to cruise.

 

[powerboatr]

I have seen about 20% in my f150 in sport mode under 0 to 65 , 70
Then it drops off
The ST I have seen very similar
I'm sport
I would imagine in off road modes like mud ruts, snow what ever it actively puts more tq to tires with the traction
Or might even put more bias to front on snow.??if it ever snows here I will test ir

 

[Caster]

2025 ST's are "Intelligent" 4WD, not AWD. Unsure of how a ST Line works There is a difference between AWD & 4WD. Also, the 4WD cannot be activated by any manual means. It does what it does automatically and it is not constantly in 4WD. I'm not a fan of it locking in, or out, of 4WD when it feels it is necessary. I would much rather have at least the option of being able to select if I want it to happen automatically or by my prompt. IMO, they are way overly making everything happen automatically in newer vehicles instead of driver prompted. Its just more electronic BS waiting to glitch out.

 

[powerboatr]

2025 ST's are "Intelligent" 4WD, not AWD. Unsure of how a ST Line works There is a difference between AWD & 4WD. Also, the 4WD cannot be activated by any manual means. It does what it does automatically and it is not constantly in 4WD. I'm not a fan of it locking in, or out, of 4WD when it feels it is necessary. I would much rather have at least the option of being able to select if I want it to happen automatically or by my prompt. IMO, they are way overly making everything happen automatically in newer vehicles instead of driver prompted. Its just more electronic BS waiting to glitch out.

It may intelligent and not torque on demand
But my insurance company gave me added discount for it pulling up in the insurance world of ??? As AWD.
Verus my f150 as toq on demand auto 4wd
When I play around with the graphic on the screen.
It definitely engages fronts a good bit in some curves and hill climbs..
It .. imo. Sticks to the road very well
Makes me smile like 17 year old

 

[2020FordRaptor]

2025 ST's are "Intelligent" 4WD, not AWD. Unsure of how a ST Line works There is a difference between AWD & 4WD. Also, the 4WD cannot be activated by any manual means. It does what it does automatically and it is not constantly in 4WD. I'm not a fan of it locking in, or out, of 4WD when it feels it is necessary. I would much rather have at least the option of being able to select if I want it to happen automatically or by my prompt. IMO, they are way overly making everything happen automatically in newer vehicles instead of driver prompted. Its just more electronic BS waiting to glitch out.

Ford advertises it as Intelligent 4wd but it is in fact AWD.

 

[powerboatr]

Ford advertises it as Intelligent 4wd but it is in fact AWD.

And.. using thier own definition
Of intelligent.. isn't that equal to all wheel drive in modern era?..using clutches, actuators, brakes. Torque vectoring etc.
It puts the torque to the wheels that are driving and regulates torque on wheels that are not or turning at different speeds as in a corner, if on pavement
I know the slippery mode in my f150 in 4Auto..works terriif8c on ice slick roads

 

[ExplorerSTLine]

FORD MOTOR COMPANY WebSite
Support > More Vehicle Topics > Engine and Transmission > Drive with Four Wheels​

With available four-wheel drive (4WD), you may experience improved traction in dangerous driving conditions, such as snow, ice, rocks and other surfaces that can make handling difficult.

Types of Drive Modes:

• Two-Wheel Drive High (2H): Best used for general on-road driving. Power is sent to the rear wheels only.
• Four-wheel drive auto (4A) (if equipped): Electronically controlled 4WD with power delivered to the front and rear wheels. Provides increased traction on varied road conditions.
• Four-wheel drive high (4H): Provides electronically or mechanically locked 4WD power to both the front and rear wheels. Best used in off-road or winter conditions, such as deep snow, sand or mud. Not intended for use on dry pavement.
• Four-wheel drive low (4L): Provides electronically or mechanically locked 4WD power to both the front and rear wheels but does so with additional gearing for increased torque. Best used on low-traction surfaces, it’s intended only for off-road applications such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects.

Plus How to Use 4WD, How Does 4WD Work?, etc. on page...

 

[2020FordRaptor]

FORD MOTOR COMPANY WebSite
Support > More Vehicle Topics > Engine and Transmission > Drive with Four Wheels​

With available four-wheel drive (4WD), you may experience improved traction in dangerous driving conditions, such as snow, ice, rocks and other surfaces that can make handling difficult.

Types of Drive Modes:

• Two-Wheel Drive High (2H): Best used for general on-road driving. Power is sent to the rear wheels only.
• Four-wheel drive auto (4A) (if equipped): Electronically controlled 4WD with power delivered to the front and rear wheels. Provides increased traction on varied road conditions.
• Four-wheel drive high (4H): Provides electronically or mechanically locked 4WD power to both the front and rear wheels. Best used in off-road or winter conditions, such as deep snow, sand or mud. Not intended for use on dry pavement.
• Four-wheel drive low (4L): Provides electronically or mechanically locked 4WD power to both the front and rear wheels but does so with additional gearing for increased torque. Best used on low-traction surfaces, it’s intended only for off-road applications such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects.

Plus How to Use 4WD, How Does 4WD Work?, etc. on page...

That is not the type transfer case we have. That would be for an Expedition, Ranger, F-series, or Bronco. I don’t know how many times I’ll have to say it we have AWD (intelligent 4wd I guess could be the same too I just never liked the wording to me I interpret it as an actual 4wd transfer case which it’s not).

 

[ExplorerSTLine]

That is not the type transfer case we have. That would be for an Expedition, Ranger, F-series, or Bronco. I don’t know how many times I’ll have to say it we have AWD (intelligent 4wd I guess could be the same too I just never liked the wording to me I interpret it as an actual 4wd transfer case which it’s not).

Sorry about that...

 

[powerboatr]

That is not the type transfer case we have. That would be for an Expedition, Ranger, F-series, or Bronco. I don’t know how many times I’ll have to say it we have AWD (intelligent 4wd I guess could be the same too I just never liked the wording to me I interpret it as an actual 4wd transfer case which it’s not).

Yup that's the torque on demand transfer case, it's pretty freaking slick
In the 4Auto cases.
My f150 stsys in 4Auto all the time
i
Ours in the ST is engaged all the time. But uses clutches to send more torque to front as computer dictates. And it does not have 4 low or neutral
Finding good reading material on it is difficult

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Yup that's the torque on demand transfer case, it's pretty freaking slick
In the 4Auto cases.
My f150 stsys in 4Auto all the time
i
Ours in the ST is engaged all the time. But uses clutches to send more torque to front as computer dictates. And it does not have 4 low or neutral
Finding good reading material on it is difficult

Yeah our Raptor has it too and it definitely is pretty neat.