2001 FORD ESCAPE open the

Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
3. Fluid level should be at bottom of
the opening.
4. Add enough fluid through the filler opening so that the fluid level is at
the bottom of the opening.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug securely.
Use only fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
Maintenance and care
216

Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
²Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as
gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are
immediately apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for
hours.
²Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking ªAntabuseº or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors,
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse
reaction.
When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
Maintenance and care
226

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
²Tail lamps
²Back-up lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with
new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Press two tabs and disconnect the
electrical connector from the bulb.
Maintenance and care
235

7. Insert the glass end of the new bulb into the headlamp assembly.
When the bulb's three metal tabs are aligned with the grooves in the
plastic base, push the bulb into the lamp assembly until the bulb's metal
base contacts the plastic base.
8. Rotate the retainer spring over the bulb metal base and secure it on
the bulb hooks.
9. Install rubber boot on the lamp assembly. Be sure to press firmly
around the perimeter of the boot and around the bulb to ensure the
proper seal of the bulb.
10. Connect the electrical connector into the rear of the bulb until it
ªsnaps.º
Replacing brake/tail/turn/backup/rear fog lamp bulbs
The brake/tail/turn/backup/rear fog lamp bulbs are located in the tail
lamp assembly, one just below the other. Follow the same steps to
replace either bulb:
1. Open the liftgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2. Remove the two screws from the
lamp assembly.
3. Carefully remove the lamp
assembly by pulling it rearward to
disengage snap features on the
outward side of the lamp.
4. Twist the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
Maintenance and care
237

2. Measure the height from the center of your headlamp to the ground
and mark a 2.4 meter (8 foot) horizontal reference line on the vertical
wall or screen at this height (a piece of masking tape works well). The
center of the lamp is marked by a 3.0 mm circle on the headlamp lens.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood. Cover the left-hand headlamp with an opaque cloth.
4. On the wall or screen you will
observe a light pattern with a
distinct horizontal edge of high
intensity light towards the right. If
this edge is not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need to
be adjusted.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
the headlamp, then usea7mmhex
socket or T20 Torx driver to turn the adjuster either counterclockwise
(to adjust down) or clockwise (to adjust up) aligning the upper edge of
the light pattern to the horizontal line.
6. Move the opaque cloth to cover the right-hand headlamp and repeat
steps 4 and 5 for the left-hand headlamp.
7. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
8. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Maintenance and care
241

²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall or cause the transmission to be
damaged or operate improperly. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. If you intend on fitting a mobile radio such as a citizens band
radio (CB), please refer to your local dealer for Ford recommended
installation guidelines. Ask you dealer to reference the ªFord Mobile
Radio Installation Guidelines.º (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage
door openers and other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less
will not ordinarily affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER'S LITERATURE
To order the publications in this portfolio, contact Helm, Incorporated at:
HELM, INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 07150
Detroit, Michigan 48207
Or call:
For a free publication catalog, order toll free: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
(Items in this catalog may be purchased by credit card holders only.)
Obtaining a French owner's guide
French Owner's Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
Customer assistance
267

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (U.S. ONLY)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a crash,
or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying Ford Motor Company.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a
recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer or Ford Motor Company.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1±800±424±9393 (202±366±0123 in the Washington D.C. area) or write
to:
NHTSA
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from
the Hotline.
Reporting safety defects
269

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