[Billyk]

If your signature states 4 by 4, then your 02 Escape has or should have a button you depress to engage the 4wd Dana system. The 2005 and newer systems do not have any driver input and have different hardware than what is found on your vehicle.

 

[Billyk]

What has been posted is true about he pre-2005 Escape vehicles. The 2005+ Escape vehicles have different hardware and software. The transition from FWD to 4WD occurs from every stop (and from almost all accelerations) regardless of weather or pavement conditions and returns to FWD during cruise conditions. No driver input is required.