2007 Ford Escape Owner Guide 1st Printing (Spanish) - Page 493

Tires, Wheels and Loading Launching or retrieving a boat 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. When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval: • do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. • do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components: • causing internal damage to the components. • affecting driveability, emissions and reliability. 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. RECREATIONAL TOWING An example of "recreational towing" is towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. If your vehicle is automatic transaxle equipped, with a 4x2 (front-wheel drive only) configured powertrain, "recreational towing" 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 transaxle equipped and 4WD (all-wheel drive), "recreational towing" is permitted only if the vehicle is trailered with all four (4) wheels off the ground. Otherwise, no "recreational towing" is permitted. If your vehicle is manual transaxle equipped and 2WD or 4WD, shifting the transaxle into neutral permits "flat-towing" (all wheels on the ground) for pulling behind a motorhome. Your vehicle, with well designed towing equipment, may be towed up to a speed of 113 km/h (70 mph) but you should always obey local speed limits. For other towing requirements, refer to Wrecker towing in the Roadside Emergencies chapter. 171 2007 Escape (204) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA (fus)