Page 38 of 288

HEATER ONLY SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
1.Fan speed adjustment:Controls
the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2.Air flow selections:Controls
the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief
description on each control.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and the
floor vents.
O (OFF):Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
:Distributes outside air through the floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents and
floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents.
3.Temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the airflow in
the vehicle.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle during cold or warm
weather, do not drive with the air flow selector in the OFF position.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the air
flow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
38
Page 105 of 288

Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been
closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check
seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.
Combination lap and shoulder belts
1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
Energy Management Feature
•This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management
feature at the front outboard seating positions to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
•The front outboard safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is
designed to extend the safety belt webbing in a controlled manner.
This helps reduce the belt force acting on the user’s chest.
All safety belts in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The
passenger safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
105
Page 107 of 288

How to disengage the automatic locking mode
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
After any vehicle collision, the safety belt systems at all seating
positions (except the driver position, which doesn’t have this
feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the
automatic locking retractor feature for child seats is still functioning
properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked for proper
function.
BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the safety belt assembly “automatic locking retractor” feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked
according to the procedures inWorkshop Manual. Failure to replace
the Belt and Retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in
collisions.
Safety belt height adjustment
Your vehicle has safety belt height
adjustments at the front outboard
seating positions. Adjust the height
of the shoulder belt so the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder.
To adjust the shoulder belt height,
squeeze and hold the buttons on the
side and slide the height adjuster up
or down. Release the buttons and
pull down on the height adjuster to
make sure it is locked in place.
Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety
belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and
increase the risk of injury in a collision.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
107