2004 Ford Escape Owner's Manual - Page 161

Roadside Emergencies If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others. When driving with the temporary spare tire do not: • use more than one temporary spare tire at a time • exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) or drive further than 3,200 km (2,000 miles) total under any circumstances • load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label • tow a trailer • use tire chains • try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel • use the wheel for any other type of vehicle Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to impairment of the following: • handling, stability and braking performance • comfort and noise • ground clearance and parking at curbs • Winter driving capability Tire change procedure When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse) (manual transaxle). To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be seriously injured. 161 2004 Escape (204) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)