four wheel drive FORD ESCAPE 2001 1.G Owners Manual

SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner's Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to readDriving off roadin theDrivingchapter as well as the
ªFour Wheelingº supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Introduction
4

Four wheel drive indicator (if equipped)
Illuminates when 4x4 switch control
is turn to the ON position. If the
light continues to flash have the
system serviced.
Door ajar
Illuminates when any door, liftgate
or liftgate window is open.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS), refer to
Overdrive controlin theControls
and Featureschapter, has been
pushed turning the transmission overdrive function OFF. When the light
is on, the transmission does not operate in the overdrive mode, refer to
theDrivingchapter for transmission function and operation.
The light may also flash steadily if a transmission malfunction is
detected. If the light does not come on when the Transmission Control
Switch is depressed or if the light flashes steadily, have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible, damage to the transmission could occur.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will illuminate when the
engine coolant inside the reservoir is
low. This lamp will illuminate when
the ignition is first turned to the
RUN position, but then should turn off. If the lamp stays on, you should
check the coolant level inside the reservoir. For instructions on adding
coolant, seeEngine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter.
4x4
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
14

3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.
Fold-away mirrors
Pull the side mirrors in carefully
when driving through a narrow
space, like an automatic car wash.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
This control operates the four wheel
drive (4X4) system. Refer to the
Drivingchapter for more
information.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
²The small LED will illuminate
when the rear defroster is
activated.
The ignition must be in the ON position to operate the rear window
defroster.
The heated rear screen does not turn off automatically. Press the control
to turn it off after the screen has been cleared. If the heated rear screen
is still in operation when the ignition is switched off, the heating function
will be reactivated when the ignition is switched on again.
4X4
AUTO ON
Controls and features
20

²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn suspension components
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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 arenot
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 vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
Driving
145

1 (First)
Use 1 (First) for when added engine
braking is desired when descending
steep hills.
The automatic transaxle will shift to
the proper gear to ascend any grade
without any need to shift to 1
(First).
Do not go faster than 56 km/h (35 mph) when in this gear. You can
upshift from 1 (First) to overdrive at any time.
When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
4x4 system general information
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 4x4 system. This 4x4 system can use all
four wheels to power the vehicle. This helps increase traction, enabling
you to drive your vehicle over terrain and road conditions not normally
traveled by two-wheel drive vehicles.
Power is always supplied to the front wheels and to the rear wheels
through the transaxle and Rotary Blade Coupling (RBC) unit that allows
you to select a four-wheel drive mode best suited for your current
driving conditions.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the Power Take-Off
Unit and rear axle refer to theCapacities and specificationschapter.
R D 2 1ODO
Driving
150

Operating modes of the 4x4 system
The 4x4 system functions in two modes:
²The 4x4 AUTO mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
delivered to the front axle at all
times, and to the rear axle as
required for increased traction.
This is appropriate for normal
on-road operating conditions,
such as dry road surfaces, wet
pavement, snow and gravel.
²The 4x4 ON mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles at all times. It is
only intended for severe or
off-road driving conditions, such
as deep snow and ice (where no
dry or wet pavement remains
uncovered) and shallow sand or
mud.
²The vehicle should not be operated in the 4x4 ON mode on dry
or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive noise,
increase tire wear and may damage driveline components. The
4x4 ON mode is intended for use only on consistently slippery
or loose surfaces.
²If your vehicle is equipped with this 4x4 system, a spare tire of
a different diameter than the road tires should never be used.
Such a tire could result in damage to driveline components and
make the vehicle difficult to control.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned 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 or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4X4AUTO
ON
4X4AUTO
ON
Driving
151

4x4 system indicator lights
The 4x4 mode indicator light illuminates only under the following
conditions. If the indicator light illuminates when driving in the 4x4
AUTO mode, contact your Ford dealer as soon as possible.
This light steadily illuminates when
the 4x4 ON mode is engaged.
Shifting between 4x4 Auto and ON modes
Switch the four-wheel drive control
to 4x4 ON to apply power to both
axles. When you activate the control
to 4x4 ON, the indicator light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster.
When you switch the control back
to 4x4 AUTO for normal on-road
operating conditions, the indicator
light is activated and will turn off.
Either shift can be done at a stop or
while driving at any speed.
Driving off-road with 4x4 Auto
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
4x4
4X4AUTO
ON
Driving
152

If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow select the 4x4 ON operating mode.
It may be rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse gears,
stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transaxle may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transaxle and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transaxle Power Take Off unit or rear axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving
153

Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing
An example of ªrecreational towingº is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x2
(front-wheel drive only) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is
permitted by trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on a dolly. This
protects the transmission's internal mechanical components from
potential lack of lubrication damage.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x4 (all-wheel
drive) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is permitted only if
the vehicle is trailered with all four (4) wheels off the ground. Otherwise,
no ªrecreational towingº is permitted.
If your vehicle is manual transmission equipped, shifting the transmission
into neutral permits ªflat-towingº (all wheels on the ground) for pulling
behind a motorhome. Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 120
km/h (75 mph) but you should always obey local speed limits.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker Towingin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
161

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
4 10A Four Wheel Drive Control Module,
Cluster (Restraints Control
Warning)
5 5A ABS Unit (EVAC & FILL), ASC
Unit, Restraints Control Module,
ASC Main SW to ASC Unit
6 10A Flasher Unit, Left reversing Lamp,
Right Reversing Lamp
7 10A Passive Anti-theft Transceiver
(PATS), Restraints Control
Module
8 10A Cluster, Shift Lock Relay (coil),
O/D signal to PCM
9 3A PCM Relay (coil), Fan Relay 1, 2,
3 (coil), A/C Relay (coil)
10 20A Front Wiper Motor, Front Washer
Motor, INT Relay
11 10A IGN Relay (coil), ACC Relay
(coil), Starter Relay (coil), Key
Interlock Solenoid, GEM
12 5A Radio, Clock
13 Ð Not Used
14 20A Cigar Lighter
15 15A Left Front Position Lamp, Right
Front Position Lamp, Left License
Lamp, Right License Lamp, Left
Tail Lamp, Right Tail Lamp, Park
Lamp Relay (coil), Trailer Fuse,
Illumination Fuse
16 10A Cluster, Power Mirror, GEM
17 15A Sun Roof Motor
Roadside emergencies
178