Ford Escape: Four Wheel Drive (4WD) System (if equipped)
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in
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.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
- How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
- Basic operating principles
- If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
- If your vehicle gets stuck
- Emergency maneuvers
- Sand
- Mud and water
- Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
- Driving on snow and ice
- Maintenance and modifications
Blind spot mirrors
Blind spot mirrors have an integrated convex spotter mirror built into
the upper outboard corner of the outside mirrors. They are designed to
assist the driver by increasing visibility along the sid ...
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The d ...
See also:
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
1 Brighter
2 Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned on, the brightness will
be reduced slightly unless the
control dial is tu ...
XM Radio Display Messages
‘‘LOADING’’ - XM is loading the
audio or program information.
‘‘OFF AIR’’ - The channel
currently selected is no longer
broadcasting.
‘‘UPDATING’’ - The encryption ...
Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel economy
and vehicle performance during
normal driving is ensured by shifting up
at the speeds listed in the following table.
...