2001 FORD ESCAPE tow bar

2. Slide the cross-bar to the end of
the rail.
3. Use a long, flat object in order to
depress the tongue in the endcaps
on both sides of the cross-bar.
4. Slide the cross-bar assembly and
the tie down loop off the end of the
rail.
To reinstall the cross-bar assembly to the roof rack side rails:
1. Ensure that both cross-bar
assemblies are installed with the F
(front) arrow facing towards the
front of the vehicle.
Driving
163

2. Use a long, flat object to depress
the tongue in the endcaps on both
sides of the cross-bar.
3. Slide the tie down loops and the
cross-bar assemblies over the end
cap tongue and into the side rails.
4. Tighten thumbwheel at both ends
of the cross-bar.
No boundaries rack system (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
an optional roof rack. This unique
feature allows you to carry cargo on
an inner roof rack as well as on the
conventional roof rack. The
maximum load for the conventional
roof rack is 45 kg (100 lbs). The
inner rack can also hold 45 kg (100
lbs) if in the down and locked
position. Distribute the loads as
evenly as possible on both the roof
and inner rack, when extended or stowed. Always secure the loads by
using the tie down loops.
Driving
164

Do not drive the vehicle if the inner roof rack is extended and
loaded with cargo but is not secured into the receivers. This can
cause dangerous driving conditions.
Do not attempt to move the inner rack when loaded. This can
cause personal injury and damage to your vehicle that may not
be covered by warranty.
Do not use the inner rack as a ladder. This could result in
personal injury and damage to your roof rack.
To stow the inner rack:
1. Push the release control on the
bottom bar of the inner rack.
2. Twist the handle down.
Driving
168

7. Ensure both feet are locked and secured into place.
Do not attempt to stow the inner rack on the roof when cargo is
loaded on the roof rack. The extended rack will not lock into
place and could force cargo loose creating dangerous driving situations.
To adjust the cross-bar assembly on the inner rack:
Driving
170

1. Loosen the screws on the
cross-bar with the supplied Torx
driver.
2. Move the cross-bar to the desired
location, keeping the cross-bar
parallel with the upper bar.
3. Tighten the screws with the
supplied Torx driver.
4. Ensure that the cross-bar is
tightened and secured into place
before attempting to load cargo.
Loading cargo:
Only load cargo in the approved
area (1) shown above. Do not load
cargo outside of the designated area
(2). Distribute the load as evenly as
possible. Always use tie downs to
secure the load.
Always stow the inner rack on the roof when using an automated
car wash.
Do not attempt to open the liftgate or rear window when the rack
is in the down position. This may damage the rack of your
vehicle.
Driving
171

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

Load limits .................................155
GAWR ......................................155
GVWR ......................................155
trailer towing ..........................155
Loading instructions .................156
Locks
childproof ..................................84
Lubricant specifications ...250, 252
Lumbar support, seats .............100
M
Manual transaxle
fluid, checking and adding ....216
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................247
lubricant specifications ..........252
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................246
fold away ...................................20
side view mirrors (power) .......19
Moon roof ....................................79
Motorcraft parts ................230, 247
O
Octane rating ............................227
Odometer .....................................18
Off-Road Driving .......................152
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................201
Overdrive ...................................146
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................90
Parking brake ............................143Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....247
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................180
Power door locks ........................84
Power steering ..........................144
fluid, checking and adding ....213
fluid, refill capacity ................247
fluid, specifications .........250, 252
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................145
R
Radio ............................................26
Rear window defroster ...............20
Relays ........................................176
Remote entry system ...........89±90
illuminated entry ......................92
locking/unlocking doors ...........90
panic alarm ...............................90
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................91
replacing the batteries .............91
Roof rack ...................................162
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................15, 107±111
Safety defects, reporting ..........269
Safety restraints ................107±111
belt minder .............................113
cleaning the safety
belts .................................117, 246
extension assembly ................112
for adults .........................108±110
for children .............................127
lap belt ....................................112
Index
274