2002 FORD ESCAPE towing

²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
²do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
²do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of ªrecreational towingº is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x2
(front-wheel drive only) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is
permitted by trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on a dolly. This
protects the transmission's internal mechanical components from
potential lack of lubrication damage.
If your vehicle is automatic transmission equipped, with a 4x4 (all-wheel
drive) configured powertrain, ªrecreational towingº is permitted only if
the vehicle is trailered with all four (4) wheels off the ground. Otherwise,
no ªrecreational towingº is permitted.
If your vehicle is manual transmission equipped, shifting the transmission
into neutral permits ªflat-towingº (all wheels on the ground) for pulling
behind a motorhome. Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 120
km/h (75 mph) but you should always obey local speed limits.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker Towingin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
185

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 New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or
60 000 km (36 000 miles), whichever occurs 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
²limited fuel delivery*
²towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (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).
* Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for exact
fuel amounts.
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 Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
U.S. Mazda vehicle customers who require roadside assistance, call
1±800±241±3673.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call 1±800±665±2006.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Mazda
Corporation will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain
reimbursement information, U.S. Mazda vehicle customers call
1-800-241-3673.
Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call
1±800±665±2006.
Roadside Emergencies
186

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
is recommended that the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a
dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
On 4x4 vehicles, it isrequiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the 4x4 system or vehicle.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Roadside Emergencies
206

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels in the ground) under the following conditions:
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is not to exceed 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
207

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state's warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
²Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
210

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.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
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 Specifications
249

low fuel ......................................13
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................178
GAWR ......................................178
GVWR ......................................178
trailer towing ..........................178
Loading instructions .................180
Locks
childproof ................................103
Lubricant specifications ...265, 267
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Manual transaxle
fluid, checking and adding ....256
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................262
lubricant specifications ..........267
Mirrors
fold away ...................................86
side view mirrors (power) .......85
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ................246, 262
O
Octane rating ............................245
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................231
Overdrive ...................................165P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................104
Parking brake ............................160
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....262
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................192
Power door locks ......................102
Power mirrors .............................85
Power steering ..........................161
fluid, checking and adding ....252
fluid, refill capacity ................262
fluid, specifications .........265, 267
Power Windows ...........................83
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................162
R
Radio ......................................25, 46
Radio reception ...........................61
Rear window defroster ...............67
Relays ........................................189
Remote entry system .......103±104
illuminated entry ....................106
locking/unlocking
doors ................................102, 104
panic alarm .............................104
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................105
replacing the batteries ...........105
Roadside assistance ..................186
Roof rack .....................................92
Index
278

S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................15, 125±129
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ................125±130
belt minder .............................132
cleaning the safety
belts .................................135, 224
extension assembly ................131
for adults .........................126±129
for children .....................144±145
lap belt ....................................130
warning light and
chime ...................12, 14, 131±132
Safety seats for children ..145±146
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............125
Seats ..........................................113
child safety seats ............145±146
cleaning ...................................224
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............107±109
Servicing your vehicle ..............226
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................195
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................262, 267
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................265, 267
Speed control ..............................86
Speedometer ...............................16Starting your
vehicle ........................154±155, 157
jump starting ..........................200
Steering wheel
controls ......................................86
T
Tachometer .................................17
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................62
Tires ...........................195, 258±259
changing ..........................195±196
checking the pressure ............259
replacing ..................................260
rotating ....................................260
snow tires and chains ............261
tire grades ...............................259
treadwear ................................258
Towing .......................................181
recreational towing .................185
trailer towing ..........................181
wrecker ....................................206
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............163
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................256
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................254
fluid, refill capacities ..............262
lubricant specifications ..265, 267
Turn signal ............................13, 71
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................267
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................269
Index
279