2006 FORD ESCAPE brakes

Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Driving
191

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)
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Driving
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Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transaxle is submerged may allow water into the
transaxle and cause internal damage. Have the fluid checked and,
if water is found, replace the fluid.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
193

BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................58
Air cleaner filter ...............267, 269
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................114, 121, 124
and child safety seats ............116
description ..............114, 121, 124
disposal ....................................127
driver airbag ............116, 122, 125
indicator light .........120, 123, 126
operation .................116, 122, 125
passenger airbag .....116, 122, 125
side airbag ...............................121
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................186
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................248
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................173
Anti-theft system ........................90
arming the system ....................90
disarming a triggered system ..91
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................19, 27, 31
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................265
fluid, checking ........................265
Automatic transmission ............176
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................178
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
fluid, specification ..................274
Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..272, 274
refill capacities ........................270B
Battery .......................................246
acid, treating emergencies .....246
jumping a disabled battery ....214
maintenance-free ....................246
replacement, specifications ...269
servicing ..................................246
BeltMinder .................................109
Brakes ................................172–173
anti-lock ...................................173
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....265
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
fluid, specifications .........272, 274
lubricant specifications ..272, 274
parking ....................................174
shift interlock ..........................176
Bulbs ............................................47
C
Calculating load ........................163
Capacities for refilling fluids ....270
Cargo area shade ........................70
Cargo cover .................................71
Cassette tape player ...................19
Cell phone use ..............................8
Child safety restraints ..............128
child safety belts ....................128
Child safety seats ......................130
attaching with tether straps ..134
in front seat ............................132
in rear seat ..............................132
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............232
instrument panel ....................234
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Index
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Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................234
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................44
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......214
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................81
Keys
positions of the ignition .........169
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................41
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................48
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................44
headlamps .................................41
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....44
interior lamps .....................46–48
replacing bulbs ....... 47–48, 50–51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................46
Liftgate ........................................70
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........173
Load limits .................................156
Loading instructions .................163
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................83Lubricant specifications ...272, 274
Lug nuts ....................................214
Luggage rack ...............................71
M
Manual transaxle .......................181
fluid, checking and adding ....267
reverse .....................................182
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................270
lubricant specifications ..........274
Message center .....................62–63
english/metric button ...............64
system check button ................65
warning messages .....................66
Mirrors .........................................55
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................59
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................62
Motorcraft parts ........236, 254, 269
O
Octane rating ............................257
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................242
Overdrive ...................................177
P
Parking .......................................183
Parking brake ............................174
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....269
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................101
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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