Heat Protection (RDU)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

During very extreme off-road operation, the AWD system utilizes a heat protection mode to protect the AWD clutch from damage. If the AWD system detects an overheat condition, it enters a locked mode. If the heat in the AWD system continues to rise once in the locked mode, the PCM disables the ATC solenoid. This condition may be indicated by an AWD OFF message in the message center. To resume normal AWD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes. After the engine is restarted and the AWD system has adequately cooled down, the AWD OFF message will turn off and normal AWD operation will return. In the event the engine is not stopped, the AWD OFF message will turn off when the system cools and normal AWD operation returns.