2002 FORD ESCAPE load capacity

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.
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176

²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Safety Certification Label, found on the driver's door pillar, lists
several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any
additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding weight
to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added to the
Driving
179

cab), the weight added should not exceed the front axle reserve capacity
(FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front axle reserve
capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e. restrict the
number of occupants or amount of cargo carried).
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and front and rear gross
axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these limitations
be exceeded.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling cargo and people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart (in theTrailer Towingsection) to find the maximum GCWR for
your type engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
Driving
180

Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
²Four tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Maintenance and Specifications
260

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº,
ªTouringº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²SAE class ªSº cable should be used only on front axle for P235/70R16
tires. With P225/70R15 and P215/70R16 tires, SAE class ªSº cables can
be used on both the front and rear wheels.
²Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
²Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables or chains on your
vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
261

E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................200
Emission control system ..........250
Engine ........................................267
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................219
coolant .....................................237
idle speed control ...................235
lubrication
specifications ..................265, 267
refill capacities ........................262
service points ..................229±230
starting after a collision .........187
Engine block heater .................157
Engine oil ..................................231
checking and adding ..............231
dipstick ....................................231
filter, specifications ........234, 262
recommendations ...................234
refill capacities ........................262
specifications ..................265, 267
Exhaust fumes ..........................158
F
Fluid capacities .........................262
Foglamps .....................................68
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
description ..............................169
driving off road .......................171
indicator light ...................14, 170
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................162
Fuel ............................................242
calculating fuel economy .......247
cap .....................................14, 244capacity ...................................262
choosing the right fuel ...........245
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................250
detergent in fuel .....................246
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................242, 244, 247
filter, specifications ........246, 262
fuel pump shut-off switch .....187
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........247
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...................245, 267
quality ......................................245
running out of fuel .................246
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................242
Fuses ..................................189±190
G
Garage door opener ....................82
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......14, 244
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................247
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................17
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................178
calculating ...............................180
definition .................................178
driving with a heavy load ......178
location ....................................178
Index
276

low fuel ......................................13
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................178
GAWR ......................................178
GVWR ......................................178
trailer towing ..........................178
Loading instructions .................180
Locks
childproof ................................103
Lubricant specifications ...265, 267
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Manual transaxle
fluid, checking and adding ....256
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................262
lubricant specifications ..........267
Mirrors
fold away ...................................86
side view mirrors (power) .......85
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ................246, 262
O
Octane rating ............................245
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................231
Overdrive ...................................165P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................104
Parking brake ............................160
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....262
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................192
Power door locks ......................102
Power mirrors .............................85
Power steering ..........................161
fluid, checking and adding ....252
fluid, refill capacity ................262
fluid, specifications .........265, 267
Power Windows ...........................83
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................162
R
Radio ......................................25, 46
Radio reception ...........................61
Rear window defroster ...............67
Relays ........................................189
Remote entry system .......103±104
illuminated entry ....................106
locking/unlocking
doors ................................102, 104
panic alarm .............................104
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................105
replacing the batteries ...........105
Roadside assistance ..................186
Roof rack .....................................92
Index
278