2006 FORD ESCAPE tow bar

To reinstall the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) to the roof rack
side rails:
1. Ensure that both cross-bar
assemblies are installed with the F
(front) arrow facing towards the
front of the vehicle.
2. Use a long, flat object to depress
the tongue in the endcaps on both
sides of the cross-bar.
3. Slide the cross-bar assemblies
over the end cap tongue and into
the side rails.
4. Tighten thumbwheel at both ends
of the cross-bar.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
73

NO BOUNDARIES RACK SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
an optional roof rack. This unique
feature allows you to carry cargo on
an inner roof rack as well as on the
conventional roof rack. The
maximum load for the conventional
roof rack is 100 lbs (45 kg). The
inner rack can also hold 100 lbs
(45 kg) if in the down and locked
position. The combined load for
both the conventional fixed rack and
the sliding portion attached to the rear bumper should not exceed
100 lbs (45 kg). Distribute the loads as evenly as possible on both the
roof and inner rack, when extended or stowed. Always secure loads by
using the tie down loops or rack accessories available from your local
Ford Dealership.
To extend the inner rack:
1. Rotate the handle on the lift bar
of the inner rack in the direction of
the arrows on the handle.
2. Lift the bar straight up (about
two inches).
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
74

To stow the inner rack:
1. Rotate the handle on the lift bar
of the inner rack in the direction of
the arrows on the handle and pull
the inner rack away from the
bumper.
2. Lift the inner rack (pivoting at
the hinges).
3. Continue lifting the inner rack
until it is parallel with the roof.
4. Slide the rack forward onto the
roof, pushing the rack into its final
stowed position.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
77

Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
261