Driving off-highway with awd vehicles, Basic operating principles, If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement – FORD 2007 Edge v.1 User Manual

Page 222: Driving

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If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different size
other than the tire provided should never be used. A dissimilar spare tire
size (other than the spare tire provided) or major dissimilar tire sizes
between the front and rear axles could cause the AWD system to stop
functioning and default to front wheel drive and could damage the
system.

Note: Your AWD vehicle is not intended for severe off-road use. The
AWD feature gives your vehicle some limited off-road capabilities in
which driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and otherwise
similar to normal on-road driving conditions. Operating your vehicle
under other than those conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive
stress which might result in damage which is not covered under your
warranty.

Driving off-highway with AWD vehicles

AWD vehicles are equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough
roads and have operating characteristics that are somewhat different
from conventional vehicles, both on and off the highway.

When driving at slow speeds off-highway under high outside
temperatures, use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.

Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.

Basic operating principles
• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering

characteristics of your vehicle.

• Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by

loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.

If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but

avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.

• It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow

down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.

2007 Edge (edg)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA
(fus)

Driving

222

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