2002 FORD ESCAPE wheel

Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4x4 vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won't stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping as well as drive slower than usual and consider using one of
the lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the
wheels. Use a ªsqueezeº technique, push on the brake pedal with a
steadily increasing force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue
to roll so that you may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you
lock the wheels, release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze
technique. If your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS), apply the brake steadily. Do not ªpumpº the
brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter for additional
information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4x4 vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Tires, Replacement Requirements
4x4 vehicles are equipped with tires designed to provide for safe ride
and handling capability.
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that originally
provided by Ford because it can affect the safety and performance of
your vehicle, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or roll over and
serious injury. Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the
same size, type, tread design, brand and load-carrying capacity. If you
have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4x4 for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford recommends, you should not use these tires for
highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford, it may
adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause steering, suspension,
axle or transfer case failure.
Do not useºaftermarket lift kitsº or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
Driving
176

Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
Driving
184

²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
²do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
²do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of ªrecreational towingº is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x2
(front-wheel drive only) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is
permitted by trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on a dolly. This
protects the transmission's internal mechanical components from
potential lack of lubrication damage.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x4 (all-wheel
drive) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is permitted only if
the vehicle is trailered with all four (4) wheels off the ground. Otherwise,
no ªrecreational towingº is permitted.
If your vehicle is manual transmission equipped, shifting the transmission
into neutral permits ªflat-towingº (all wheels on the ground) for pulling
behind a motorhome. Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 120
km/h (75 mph) but you should always obey local speed limits.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker Towingin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
185

Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located on the left hand side kick panel. Remove the
panel cover to access the fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided on the fuse panel cover.
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
1 5A Canister Vent Control Solenoid
2 5A Blower Relay (coil), Rear Defrost Relay
(coil), Pressure Switch to PCM
3 10A Rear Wiper Motor, Rear Washer Motor, Rear
Wiper Relay (coil)
4 10A Four Wheel Drive Control Module, Cluster
(Restraints Control Warning)
ACC
12
34
56
78
910
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26
27
Roadside Emergencies
190

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
R DEF 30A** Rear Defroster
ADD FAN 40A**(2.0 L)
50A(3.0 L)Add Fan
EEC MAIN ISO Ð EEC Relay
FUEL PUMP ISO Ð Fuel Pump Relay
MAIN FAN ISO Ð Low Speed Fan Control Relay
(2.0L Engine)
High Speed Fan Control Relay 1
(3.0L Engine)
ADD FAN ISO Ð High Speed Fan Control Relay 1
(2.0L Engine)
Low Speed Fan Control Relay
(3.0L Engine)
DEF RELAY ISO Ð Rear Defroster Relay
ST RELAY ISO Ð Starter Relay
ADD FAN 2 ISO Ð High Speed Fan Control Relay 2
(3.0L Engine)
Medium Speed Fan Control Relay
(2.0L Engine)
FOG RELAY
MICROÐ Foglamp Relay
A/C RELAY
MICROÐ A/C Clutch Relay
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller
than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only.
Roadside Emergencies
195

If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) or drive further than 3 200 km
(2 000 miles) total under any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
²handling, stability and braking performance
²comfort and noise
²ground clearance and parking at curbs
²Winter driving capability
Tire change procedure
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R
(Reverse) (manual transaxle).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
Roadside Emergencies
196

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and place gearshift
lever in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or R (Reverse)
(manual transmission).
2. Set the parking brake and turn
engine OFF.
3. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
4. Lift the cargo cover and remove
the tool bag with jack handle, lug
nut wrench and long spare tire rod
and spare tire from the wheel well.
Roadside Emergencies
197

5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
Before placing the jack under the vehicle, NOTE the jack locations:
²Frontjacking notches are located
under the front suspension
arm.
²Rearjacking notches are located
under the rear trailing arm.
Roadside Emergencies
198