2001 FORD ESCAPE flat tire

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First Gear) (manual transmission).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
To release the parking brake, the
brake handle may need to be pulled
up slightly to release pressure
before pushing in the button.
Push the button on the end of the
parking brake handle and push the
handle down as far as possible.
Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²uneven vehicle loading
²high crown in center of road
Driving
144

Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three years or 60 000 km (36 000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80 000 km (50 000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing of your disabled vehicle up to 56.3 kms (35 miles) from the
point of pickup (this can include to the nearest Ford dealership, or
your selling dealer if within the specified distance.) One tow per
disablement. Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting
stuck in the mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such
as impound towing or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States for Ford or Mercury
vehicles, call 1±800±241±3673 or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain information
about reimbursement, call 1±800±241±3673 in the United States for Ford
or Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. Call 1±800±665±2006 in Canada.
Roadside emergencies
173

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
ADD FAN 40A**(2.0 L)
50A(3.0 L)Add Fan
EEC MAIN ISO Ð EEC Relay
FUEL PUMP ISO Ð Fuel Pump Relay
MAIN FAN ISO Ð Low Speed Fan Control Relay
(2.0L Engine)
High Speed Fan Control Relay 1
(3.0L Engine)
ADD FAN ISO Ð High Speed Fan Control Relay 1
(2.0L Engine)
Low Speed Fan Control Relay
(3.0L Engine)
DEF RELAY ISO Ð Rear Defroster Relay
ST RELAY ISO Ð Starter Relay
ADD FAN 2 ISO Ð High Speed Fan Control Relay 2
(3.0L Engine)
Medium Speed Fan Control Relay
(2.0L Engine)
FOG RELAY
MICROÐ Foglamp Relay
A/C RELAY
MICROÐ A/C Clutch Relay
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
Your vehicle may have a temporary or conventional spare tire. The
temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than
a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire
with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
Roadside emergencies
183

Never use the differentials as a
jacking point.
To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
7. Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
8. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub.
Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
9. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
10. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside emergencies
187

To stow the full size flat tire in the
cargo floor, the long spare tire rod
in the tool bag needs to be installed.
11. Using the lug wrench, remove
the spare tire rod from the cargo
floor and install the longer spare tire
rod.
12. Put flat tire and tool bag with
jack handle, lug nut wrench and
spare tire rod away. Make sure jack
is fastened so it does not rattle
when you drive.
The cargo cover can not be
reattached to the back seat clips
when a full size tire is stowed.
13. Install cargo cover over the flat
tire and secure with the plastic nut.
14. Unblock the wheels.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes, and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic conveter may become damaged.
Roadside emergencies
188

which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
Maintenance and care
221

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