2001 FORD ESCAPE check engine light

To avoid personal injury, make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system is
under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the
cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration see
Checking Engine Coolant section). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34É F/±36É C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes in vehicles originally equipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
Maintenance and care
211

²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
232

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................118±119, 124
and child safety seats ............121
description ......................119, 124
disposal ....................................127
driver air bag ..................121, 125
indicator light ...........11, 123, 126
operation .........................121, 125
passenger air bag ...........121, 125
side air bag ..............................124
Air cleaner filter ...............207, 247
Air conditioning ..........................21
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ...................20, 150
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................208
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................142±143
Anti-theft system ........................95
arming the system ....................96
disarming a triggered system ..96
warning light .............................13
Audio system (see Radio) ...26, 54
Automatic transaxle .................146
driving with .............................147
fluid, adding ............................214
fluid, checking ........................214
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specification ..................252
Auxiliary power point .................85
Axle
lubricant specifications ..250, 252
refill capacities ........................247B
Battery .......................................216
acid, treating emergencies .....216
charging system warning light 13
jumping a disabled battery ....188
maintenance-free ....................216
replacement, specifications ...247
servicing ..................................216
Belt minder ...............................113
Brakes ........................................142
anti-lock ...........................142±143
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 142
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....205
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specifications .........250, 252
lubricant specifications ..250, 252
parking ....................................143
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....247
Cargo cover .................................86
Cargo net .....................................86
Certification Label ....................254
Child safety restraints ..............127
child safety belts ....................127
Child safety seats ......................128
attaching with tether straps ..132
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
LATCH .....................................134
Cleaning your vehicle ...............241
engine compartment ..............243
Index
270

exterior ............................242±243
exterior lamps .........................244
instrument cluster lens ..........246
instrument panel ....................245
interior .............................245±246
mirrors .....................................246
plastic parts ............................244
safety belts ..............................246
washing ....................................242
waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................244
windows ..................................246
wiper blades ............................245
woodtone trim ........................246
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............21
Clock ..........................32, 41, 51, 69
Clutch
fluid ..........................................206
Console ........................................85
overhead ....................................78
Controls
power seat .................................99
Coolant
checking and adding ..............208
refill capacities ................212, 247
specifications ..................250, 252
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................73
Customer Assistance ................173
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................263
Ford Extended Service Plan .255
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................262
Getting roadside assistance ...173
Getting the service you
need .........................................256Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................267
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................258
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................261
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................81
Defrost
rear window ..............................20
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .214
engine oil .................................201
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........250
Driving under special
conditions ..................................154
mud ..........................................153
sand .........................................153
snow and ice ...................153±154
through water .................153, 157
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................188
Emission control system ..........233
Engine ........................................252
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................208
idle speed control ...................216
Index
271

lubrication
specifications ..................250, 252
refill capacities ........................247
service points ..................199±200
starting after a collision .........174
Engine block heater .................140
Engine oil ..................................201
checking and adding ..............201
dipstick ....................................201
filter, specifications ........204, 247
recommendations ...................204
refill capacities ........................247
specifications ..................250, 252
Exhaust fumes ..........................140
F
Fluid capacities .........................247
Foglamps .....................................82
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
description ..............................151
driving off road .......................152
indicator light ...................14, 152
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................145
Fuel ............................................225
calculating fuel economy .......230
cap .....................................15, 229
capacity ...................................247
choosing the right fuel ...........227
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................233
detergent in fuel .....................228
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................225, 229±230
filter, specifications ........230, 247
fuel pump shut-off switch .....174
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........230low fuel warning light ..............11
octane rating ...................227, 252
quality ......................................228
running out of fuel .................228
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................225
Fuses ..................................176±177
G
Garage door opener ....................78
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......15, 229
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................230
Gauges .........................................16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................18
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................155
calculating ...............................157
definition .................................155
driving with a heavy load ......155
location ....................................155
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................155
calculating .......................155, 157
definition .................................155
driving with a heavy load ......155
location ....................................155
H
Hazard flashers .........................174
Head restraints .........................100
Index
272