2006 FORD ESCAPE 4WD

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.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD 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. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” 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. Since your
vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakes
section of this chapter for additional information on the operation of the
anti-lock brake system.
4WD vehicles should be driven with traction devices as referred to in
Using snow tires and traction devicesin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
192

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
7 10A* Instrument cluster, Diagnostic
connector, Power mirror switch,
Radio
8 — Not used
9 30A** Power door locks, Power seats
10 15A* Heated mirrors
11 15A* Sunroof, Electrochromatic mirror
12 5A* Radio
13 — Not used
14 — Not used
15 30A** Power windows
16 15A* Subwoofer
17 15A* Low beams
18 10A* 4WD
19 — Not used
20 15A* Horn
21 10A* Rear wiper motor, Rear wiper
washer
22 10A* Instrument cluster
23 — Not used
24 20A* Cigar lighter
25 20A* Front wiper motor, Front wiper
washer
26 5A* Climate control system mode
switch
27 5A* Canister vent, Speed control
cancel switch
28 10A* Instrument cluster
29 10A* Reverse park aid
30 — Not used
31 — Not used
32 10A* Brake-Transmission shift lock
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
200

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
33 15A* Air bag module, Passenger Air bag
Deactivation (PAD) indicator
lamp, Occupant Classification
Sensor (OCS)
34 5A* ABS module, Evac and Fill, Speed
control
35 5A* Heated seats module, 4WD
* Mini fuse ** Cartridge fuse
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is
located in the engine compartment.
The power distribution box contains
high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems
from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
To reduce risk of electrical shock, always replace the cover to
the Power Distribution Box before reconnecting the battery or
refilling fluid reservoirs.
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
201

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
18 40A** Blower motor
19 40A** Accessory delay relay - Subwoofer
and 4WD, Low beam
20 60A** ABS
21 40A** Horn, CHMSL, Cluster, Power
locks and power seats
22 40A** (I4) Cooling fan
50A** (V6)
23 40A** Rear defroster, Park lamps relay
24 40A** (I4) High/Low speed fan
50A** (V6)
25 — Shunt
R2 — PCM relay
R3 — Fuel pump relay
R4 — Cooling fan relay
R5 — High/Low speed fan relay 1
R6 — Blower motor relay
R7 — Starter relay
R8 — High/Low speed fan relay 2
R9 — Fog lamps relay
R10 — A/C relay
D1 — Not used
D2 — A/C diode
* Mini fuse ** Cartridge fuse
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
On FWD vehicles, if your vehicle is to be towed from the front, ensure
proper wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front wheels off the
ground. The rear wheels can be left on the ground when towed in this
fashion.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
is recommended that the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a
dolly to prevent damage to the automatic transaxle.
On 4WD vehicles, it isrequiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the automatic transaxle, 4WD system or vehicle.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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