
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
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 for five
minutes with the key in the 3 (RUN) position.
4WD system indicator lights
•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 4WD:Displayed when 4WD system requires service. Please
bring your vehicle to your local dealer for service.
•4WD LOCKED TEMPORARILY:Displayed when 4WD system is
locked (i.e. permanent four wheel drive) due to heat protection mode.
•4WD DISABLED TEMPORARILY:Displayed when 4WD system is
disengaged (i.e. two wheel drive) due to heat protection mode.
•4WD AUTO RESTORED:Displayed when normal 4WD system
function is restored when heat protection mode is exited.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
186

Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to
the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
263

GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of Genuine Ford Accessories are available for your
vehicle through your local authorized Ford or Ford of Canada dealer.
These quality accessories have been specifically engineered to fulfill your
automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement the style
and aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each accessory
is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds Ford’s rigorous
engineering and safety specifications. Ford Motor Company will repair or
replace any properly dealer-installed Genuine Ford Accessory found to
be defective in factory-supplied materials or workmanship during the
warranty period, as well as any component damaged by the defective
accessory. The accessory will be warranted for whichever provides you
the greatest benefit:
•12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) (whichever occurs first), or
•the remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty.
This means that Genuine Ford Accessories purchased along with your
new vehicle and installed by the dealer are covered for the full length of
your New Vehicle’s Limited Warranty — 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000
km) (whichever occurs first). Contact your dealer for details and a copy
of the warranty.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
The following is a list of several Genuine Ford Accessory products. Not
all accessories are available for all models. For a complete listing of the
accessories that are available for your vehicle, please contact your dealer
or visit our online store at: www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.
Exterior style
Bug shields
Deflectors
Front end covers
Headlamps, fog lights and Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)
Running boards
Splash guards
Step Bars
Wheels
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Accessories
279

Engine block heater .................172
Engine oil ..................................242
checking and adding ..............242
dipstick ....................................242
filter, specifications ........245, 269
recommendations ...................245
refill capacities ........................270
specifications ..................272, 274
Exhaust fumes ..........................172
F
Fail safe cooling ........................252
Fluid capacities .........................270
Foglamps .....................................44
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................187
indicator light .........................186
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................175
Fuel ............................................254
calculating fuel
economy ............................63, 258
cap ...........................................256
capacity ...................................270
choosing the right fuel ...........257
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................261
detergent in fuel .....................258
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................254, 256, 259
filter, specifications ........254, 269
fuel pump shut-off switch .....196
improving fuel economy ........258
octane rating ...................257, 274
quality ......................................258
running out of fuel .................258
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................254
Fuses ..................................196, 198G
Garage door opener ....................54
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............256
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................258
Gauges .........................................16
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................163
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................163
H
Hazard flashers .........................195
Head restraints .....................93, 95
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................44
autolamp system .......................41
bulb specifications ....................48
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................42
replacing bulbs .........................48
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heater only system ...................38
Hood ..........................................238
I
Ignition ...............................169, 274
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................130
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................263
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
284

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
285

checking the pressure ............144
inspecting and inflating .........144
label .........................................151
replacing ..................................146
rotating ....................................154
safety practices .......................153
sidewall information ...............147
snow tires and chains ............155
spare tire .................................204
terminology .............................143
tire grades ...............................142
treadwear ........................142, 152
Towing .......................................163
recreational towing .................168
trailer towing ..........................163
wrecker ....................................220
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................267
manual operation ....................181
Transmission
automatic operation ...............176
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....176
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................265
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
lubricant specifications ..272, 274Turn signal ..................................46
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................274
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................277
Vehicle loading ..........................156
Ventilating your vehicle ...........172
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................241
Water, Driving through .............193
Windows
power .........................................57
rear wiper/washer .....................53
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....241
liftgate reservoir .....................241
operation ...................................52
replacing wiper blades ...........242
Wrecker towing .........................220
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
287