2003 FORD ESCAPE light

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes in vehicles originally equipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44–A. Use of such coolant may harm the engine
and cooling system components.
Maintenance and Specifications
197

Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular”unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as“Regular”that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of“Regular”unleaded
gasoline.“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers’Choice
logo.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
202

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and Specifications
206

•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
Maintenance and Specifications
207

Engine oil cooler
Interior dash trim kit
Power point outlet (rear cargo area)
Remote start
Tire step
Travel equipment
Auto headlamps with DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack adaptors: bike ski/snowboard
First aid kit
Framed luggage cover
Highway safety kit
Hitch mounted bike rack
Luggage basket/box carrier
Luggage basket light bracket
Luggage divider
Mirror I/S electrochromic compass with and without temperature display
Pet guard
Rear seat entertainment system (DVD)
Removable luggage rack (Track riders)
Removable luggage rack adapters: bike, ski/snowboard, canoe and kayak
Running boards
Running bars
Soft luggage cover
Trailer hitch (Class II)
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch receiver cover
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Trailgate table (hitch installed) and adaptor kit
Wheels
Accessories
228

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................95, 99
and child safety seats ..............97
description ..........................95, 99
disposal ....................................101
driver air bag ....................97, 100
indicator light ...................98, 101
operation ...........................97, 100
passenger air bag .............97, 100
side air bag ................................99
Air cleaner filter ...............212, 218
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................128
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................194
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................118
Anti-theft system ........................72
arming the system ....................72
disarming a triggered system ..73
Audio system
(see Radio) ................15, 18, 22, 26
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................209
fluid, checking ........................209
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................122
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specification ..................223
Auxiliary power point .................47
Axle
lubricant specifications ..221, 223
refill capacities ........................218
B
Battery .......................................192acid, treating emergencies .....192
jumping a disabled battery ....159
maintenance-free ....................192
replacement, specifications ...218
servicing ..................................192
BeltMinder ...................................90
Brakes ........................................118
anti-lock ...................................118
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................118
fluid, checking and adding ....209
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specifications .........221, 223
lubricant specifications ..221, 223
parking ....................................119
shift interlock ..........................120
Bulbs ............................................38
C
Calculating load ........................141
Capacities for refilling fluids ....218
Cargo area shade ........................54
Cassette tape player .............15, 22
CD-single premium ...............18, 26
Cell phone use ............................52
Certification Label ....................225
Changing a tire .........................154
Child safety restraints ..............102
child safety belts ....................102
Child safety seats ......................105
attaching with tether straps ..109
in front seat ............................107
in rear seat ..............................107
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............178
instrument panel ....................180
interior .....................................181
Index
231

Exhaust fumes ..........................117
F
Fluid capacities .........................218
Foglamps .....................................33
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................129
indicator light .........................128
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................119
Fuel ............................................199
calculating fuel economy .......203
cap ...........................................201
capacity ...................................218
choosing the right fuel ...........201
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................206
detergent in fuel .....................203
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................199, 201, 203
filter, specifications ........203, 218
fuel pump shut-off switch .....146
improving fuel economy ........203
octane rating ...................202, 223
quality ......................................202
running out of fuel .................203
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................199
Fuses ..................................147–148
G
Garage door opener ....................46
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............201
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................203
Gauges .........................................13
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................139calculating ...............................141
definition .................................139
driving with a heavy load ......139
location ....................................139
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................139
calculating .......................139, 141
definition .................................139
driving with a heavy load ......139
location ....................................139
H
Hazard flashers .........................146
Head restraints .....................75, 77
Headlamps ...................................33
aiming ........................................35
autolamp system .................33, 46
bulb specifications ....................38
daytime running lights .............33
flash to pass ..............................34
high beam .................................34
replacing bulbs .........................39
turning on and off ....................33
Heating
heater only system ...................30
Hood ..........................................184
I
Ignition ...............................114, 223
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................105
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................207
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................180
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................34
Index
233

J
Jack ............................................154
positioning ...............................154
storage .....................................154
Jump-starting your vehicle ......159
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........114
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................33
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................38
cargo lamps ...............................34
daytime running light ...............33
fog lamps ...................................33
headlamps .................................33
headlamps, flash to pass ..........34
instrument panel, dimming .....34
interior lamps .....................36–38
replacing bulbs ....... 38–39, 41–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................36
Liftgate ........................................53
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........118
Load limits .................................139
GAWR ......................................139
GVWR ......................................139
trailer towing ..........................139
Loading instructions .................140
Locks
childproof ..................................65
Lubricant specifications ...221, 223
Lumbar support, seats .........76–77M
Manual transaxle .......................125
fluid, checking and adding ....211
reverse .....................................126
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................218
lubricant specifications ..........223
Mirrors .........................................46
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................47
fold away ...................................49
heated ........................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ................203, 218
O
Octane rating ............................202
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................188
Overdrive ...................................122
P
Parking .......................................127
Parking brake ............................119
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....218
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................151
Power door locks ........................63
Power point .................................47
Power steering ..........................119
fluid, checking and adding ....208
fluid, refill capacity ................218
fluid, specifications .........221, 223
Power Windows ...........................48
Index
234