Ford Escape Owner's Manual page 120

Driving
Water
Before driving through water,
determine the depth. Avoid water
higher than the bottom of the wheel
hubs. Proceed slowly to avoid
splashing. 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.
You can dry the brakes faster by
driving the vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Water intrusion into the transaxle may damage the transaxle.
If the transaxle Power Take Off unit or rear axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Rear axle lubricant quantities should also be checked if a leak is
suspected.
Snow and ice
Your 4WD vehicle will have advantages over two-wheel drive vehicles in
snow and on ice by providing increased driving traction. However, if you
suddenly change speed or direction you may lose control. 4WD vehicles
can slide on slippery roads just like any other vehicle. Should you start
to slid while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the steering
wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control. Avoid
sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate better
than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won't stop any faster,
because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do not
become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the
wheels. Use a "squeeze" technique, push on the brake pedal with a
steadily increasing force which allows the wheels to brake yet
continue to roll so that you may steer in the direction you want
to travel. If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal and repeat the
squeeze technique. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brake
steadily. Do not "pump" the brakes. Refer to the Brakes section for
additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
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