
4. Clip the tether strap to the
anchor as shown.
The arrow in the above graphic
points toward the front of the
vehicle.
If the tether strap is clipped
incorrectly, the child safety
seat may not be retained properly
in the event of a collision.
5. Install the child safety seat tightly
using the LATCH anchors or safety
belts. Follow the instructions in this chapter.
6. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.
Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children) attachments for child seat anchors
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments
that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of child seat eliminates the need to use safety belts to attach
the child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also
be attached to the proper tether anchor. SeeAttaching safety seats with
tether strapsin this chapter.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
136

Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat installation at the
following locations:
The anchors on both sides of the
center of the rear seat are provided
primarily for child seats at the
outboard seats, and are further
apart than the pairs of lower
anchors for child seat installation at
other seats. A child seat with rigid
LATCH attachments cannot be
installed at the center rear seat. A
child seat with LATCH attachments on belt webbing can be used at the
center rear seat unless a child seat at an outboard rear seat is attached
to one of these lower anchors. Install a child seat onto the lower anchors
at the center rear seat ONLY IF the child restraint manufacturer
recommends that the child seat can be installed to anchors that are
spaced up to 20 in (500 mm) apart.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two
child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or
death.
The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the second row seat
between the cushion and seat back.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
137

If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
138

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not 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.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. All occupants must
wear safety belts and children/infants must use appropriate restraints
to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD has the ability to use all four
wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may enable you to
safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
139

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
282

Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................201
Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................174
fluid, checking and adding ....264
fluid, refill capacity ................270
fluid, specifications .........272, 274
Power Windows ...........................57
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................175
R
Radio ................................19, 27, 31
Rear window defroster ...............40
Relays ........................................196
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ..........47, 87–88
Reverse sensing system ...........184
Roadside assistance ..................194
Roof rack .....................................71
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................100, 104–107
Safety Canopy ...................122, 124
Safety defects, reporting ..........230
Safety restraints ........100, 104–108
belt minder .............................109
extension assembly ................108
for adults .........................105–107
for children .....................127–128
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................101safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and chime ........109
Safety seats for children ..........130
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................276
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............100
Seats ............................................93
child safety seats ....................130
heated ........................................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............237
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ..........20, 25
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................32
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs, specifications ......269,
274
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................272, 274
Speed control ..............................59
Starting your vehicle ........169–171
jump starting ..........................214
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................53
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................38
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tires ...................................141–143
alignment ................................153
care ..........................................152
changing ..................................205
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
286