2005 FORD ESCAPE four wheel drive

Four wheel drive indicator (if equipped):Illuminates when ignition
is first turned ON to check bulb. Solid illumination indicates 4x4 system
is locked. Blinking indicator indicates system has been disabled or
requires service.
Without message center
Type A
Type B
With message center
Displays when four-wheel drive
system requires service.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the Securilock
Passive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the ignition is in the ON position and any
door is open.
Without message center
With message center
Displays which door, liftgate or
liftgate glass is open.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
4x4
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

4. Brake System
5. Liftgate Status
6. Exterior Lamps
7. 4 Wheel Drive
8. Fuel Level Status
Language
1. Select this function from the
INFO menu for the current language
to be displayed.
2. Pressing the SET control cycles
the message center through each of
the language choices.
3. Press and hold the SET control
for 2 seconds to set the language
choice.
Display Off
Select this function from the INFO control to turn your message center
display OFF.
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
SET control and clearing the warning message.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
62

Always stow the inner rack on the roof when using an automated
car wash.
Do not attempt to open the liftgate or rear window when the rack
is in the down position. This may damage the rack or your
vehicle.
To ensure proper sliding function of your rack, keep the rack
clear of debris. If debris is visible inside the roof c-channels or
side rails, spray the items clear with a water hose.
Do not load large or bulky items (i.e., plywood, mattresses) on
the rear of the vehicle so that they extend above the roof line. In
addition to blocking your rear view, they can also cause dangerous
driving situations and could result in an increase risk of loss of vehicle
control and personal injury. Use additional care when driving with
reduced visibility.
Only load cargo in the designated area. Loading outside of the
approved area could result in personal injury as well as vehicle
damage that may not be covered by warranty.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sport cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increase risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
76

PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a
fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not operating properly.
Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
137

4. Turn the ignition to position 1
(LOCK) to shut the engine off and
remove the ignition key.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent 4WD System that
continuously monitors vehicle conditions and automatically adjusts the
power distribution between the front and rear wheels. It combines
transparent all-surface operation with highly capable four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is
capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway
driving as well as off-road and winter driving.
During very extreme off-road events, the 4WD system has a heat
protection mode to protect itself from damage. If the system detects an
overheat condition, it will enter a locked mode. If the heat in the 4WD
system continues to rise in locked mode, it will disable itself. To exit heat
protection mode, simply stop the vehicle and allow it to cool.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
145

4WD system indicator lights
Indicator light - Type A
Indicator light - Type B
•Illuminatescontinuously when 4WD system is locked (i.e. permanent
four wheel drive) due to heat protection mode.
•Blinks continuouslywhen 4WD system is disengaged (i.e. two wheel
drive) due to heat protection mode.
•Blinks several times every minutewhen 4WD system requires
service. Please bring your vehicle to your local dealer for service.
4WD system messages in Message Center (if equipped)
•SERVICE 4X4orSERVICE 4WD
Displayed when 4WD system requires service. Please bring your
vehicle to your local dealer for service.
•4X4 LOCKED TEMPORARILYor4WD LOCKED TEMPORARILY
Displayed when 4WD system is locked (i.e. permanent four wheel
drive) due to heat protection mode.
•4X4 DISABLED TEMPORARILYor4WD DISABLED
TEMPORARILY
Displayed when 4WD system is disengaged (i.e. two wheel drive) due
to heat protection mode.
•4X4 AUTO RESTOREDor4WD AUTO RESTORED
Displayed when normal 4WD system function is restored when heat
protection mode is exited.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
4x4
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
146

Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may loose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
147

Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
149