Page 236 of 320

Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
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.
2009 Edge(edg)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
236
Page 237 of 320

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. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.
AWD 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 an AWD 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, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
2009 Edge(edg)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
237
Page 252 of 320

Tire change procedure
WARNING:When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure to place the transmission in P (Park), set
the parking brake and block (in both directions) the wheel that is
diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire
being changed.
WARNING:If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
WARNING:Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the
wheel.
1. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
2. Remove wheel cover (if
equipped) with the lug wrench tip
and loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
2009 Edge(edg)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
252
Page 316 of 320

Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............271
instrument panel ....................272
interior .....................................273
plastic parts ............................271
safety belts ..............................273
washing ....................................269
waxing .....................................270
wheels ......................................270
wiper blades ............................271
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............51
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................34
AM/FM/CD .................................26
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................86
Console ........................................68
overhead ....................................67
Controls
power seat ...............................126
steering column ........................76
Convertible
cleaning ...................................272
Coolant
checking and adding ..............286
refill capacities ................289, 308
specifications ..........................308
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................73
Cupholder(s) .............................132
Customer Assistance ................239
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................266
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................266
Getting roadside assistance ...239
Getting the service you
need .........................................262Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................267
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................265
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................56
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................304
engine oil .................................281
Driving under special
conditions ..................229, 234, 236
sand .........................................235
snow and ice ...........................237
through water .................235, 238
E
Electronic message center ...83–84
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................255
Emission control system ..........300
Engine ........................................310
cleaning ...................................271
coolant .....................................286
fail-safe cooling .......................290
idle speed control ...................284
lubrication specifications .......308
refill capacities ........................308
service points ..................278–279
starting after a collision .........240
Engine block heater .................216
Engine oil ..................................281
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................281
checking and adding ..............281
dipstick ....................................281
filter, specifications ........283, 307
recommendations ...................283
2009 Edge(edg)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
316