FORD 2003 Escape v.4 - Manual (Page 131)

Using the electronic shift 4x4 system
AUTO- Full power to front wheels, at all times; power to the rear wheels
as required by driving conditions. Used for street and highway driving.
ON- Full power to all wheels, at all times. Used for severe conditions
such as deep snow, deep sand or icy roads. Not intended for use on dry
(or merely wet) pavement.
• Do not operate the vehicle in the 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.
• If your vehicle is equipped with the 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.
Shifting between 4x4 Auto and ON modes
You can move the 4x4 control between AUTO and ON whenever needed.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4x4 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
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 differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
4X4
AUTO ON
Driving
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