2001 FORD ESCAPE tow

The following warning may be required by California law:
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
ICONS
Indicates a safety alert. Read the
following section onWarnings.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
Indicates a message regarding child
safety restraints. Refer toSeating
and safety restraintsfor more
information.
Indicates that this Owner Guide
contains information on this subject.
Please refer to the Index to locate
the appropriate section which will
provide you more information.
Introduction
2

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). The OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
The
indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first turned to
the RUN position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if thelight illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause your
light to illuminate.
Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
BRAKECHECK
FUEL
CAPTHEFT
4x4
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
10

CD and CD changer care
²Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
²Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended
periods of time.
²Do not insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer
magazine.
Do not insert any promotional (odd shaped or sized) discs, or
discs with removable labels into the CD player as jamming may
occur.
Radio frequency information
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio
and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) establish the frequencies
AM and FM stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies
are:
AM 530, 540±1600, 1610 kHz
FM 87.7, 87.9±107.7, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Controls and features
70

To activate the windshield washer,
pull control toward you. Release
control to stop washer fluid spray.
MIST FUNCTION
Move control up and release for one
wipe.
Rear window wiper/washer controls
For intermittent operation of rear
wiper, rotate end of control upward
to the INT position.
For normal speed rear wiper
operation, rotate control upward to
ON.
Controls and features
77

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position to turn on the parking
lamps. Rotate to the second position
to also turn on the headlamps.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
battery saver feature which, if you
leave the headlamps on,
automatically turns off the
headlamps after 30 seconds when
the ignition is in the OFF position.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
²the ignition must be in the ON position and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
²Push forward to activate.
²Pull toward you to deactivate.
OFF
OFF
Controls and features
81

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
Turn on the parking lamps. Press
the foglamp control, located on the
instrument panel, to activate the
foglamps. The foglamp LED will
illuminate when the foglamps are
on.
Press the foglamp control to
deactivate the foglamps.
POWER WINDOWS (IF EQUIPPED)
Press and hold the rocker switches to open and close windows.
²Press the top portion of the
rocker switch to close.
OFF
Controls and features
82

CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo cover (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo area shade that covers the
luggage compartment of your vehicle.
To install the shade:
1. Fasten the cover into the
mounting brackets (make sure the
cover is right side up).
2. Pull the end of the shade toward
you and hook the sides into the
notches (right side first) in the rear
trim panels.
To reduce the risk of
injuries, the fasteners for
cargo area cover must be properly
attached to the mounting clips on
the rear trim panels.
Do not place any objects on the cargo area cover. They may
obstruct your vision or strike occupants of the vehicle in the
case of a sudden stop or collision.
The cover may cause injury in a sudden stop or accident if it is
not securely installed.
Cargo table (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo table that is located behind
the rear seat of your vehicle which can be used to store and
compartmentalize cargo and be used as a picnic table.
Controls and features
86

Replacing the battery
The transmitter is powered by one coin type three-volt lithium battery
CR2032 or equivalent. Typical operating range will allow you to be up to
10 meters (33 feet) away from your vehicle. A decrease in operating
range can be caused by:
²weather conditions
²nearby radio towers
²structures around the vehicle
²other vehicles parked next to the vehicle
To replace the battery:
1. Twist a thin coin between the two
halves of the transmitter near the
key ring. DO NOT TAKE THE
FRONT PART OF THE
TRANSMITTER APART.
2. Place the positive (+) side of new
battery in the same orientation.
Refer to the diagram inside the
transmitter unit.
3. Snap the two halves back
together.
Replacing lost transmitters
If a remote transmitter has been lost
and you would like to remove it
from the vehicle's memory, or you
would like to purchase additional
remote transmitters and have them
programmed to your vehicle:
²Takeallyour vehicle's
transmitters to your dealer for
programming, or
²Perform the programming
procedure yourself
Controls and features
91