Ford Escape: Emergency maneuvers - Four Wheel Drive (4WD) System (if equipped) - Driving - Ford Escape Owner's ManualFord Escape: Emergency maneuvers

• In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle, i.e., turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control, not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.

utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

• If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again, avoid these abrupt inputs.

    If your vehicle gets stuck
    If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each g ...

    Sand
    When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the ...

    See also:

    While the downhill assist control system is operating
    The slip indicator will flash to indicate that the downhill assist control system is operating, and the stop lights and high mounted stoplight will turn on. ■Conditions in which the downh ...

    Pedals
    Manual transmission Automatic transmission Clutch Pedal (1) (For manual transmission). The clutch pedal is used to disengage the drive to the wheels when starting the engine, stopping or shifti ...

    Wiper deicer switch*
    The rear window demister switch can be operated when the engine is running. When the front wipers have frozen to the windscreen at the parked positions, turning on this switch will heat the wind ...