Page 8 of 240
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
8
Page 11 of 240

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:
Illuminates indicating an ABS fault.
If the lamp stays on for more than a
few seconds, then an ABS fault is
indicated, have the system serviced
immediately. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning
light also is illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11
Page 41 of 240

6. Without turning, carefully pull
bulb out of headlamp assembly.
Handle a halogen headlamp
bulb carefully and keep out
of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb
only by its metal base and do not
touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the
headlamps are operated.
Note:The bulb’s metal base gets very hot during headlamp operation.
Be sure the bulb base is cool before handling.
If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with rubbing
alcohol before being used.
7. Insert the glass end of the new bulb into the headlamp assembly.
When the bulb’s three metal tabs are aligned with the grooves in the
plastic base, push the bulb into the lamp assembly until the bulb’s metal
base contacts the plastic base.
8. Rotate the retainer spring over the bulb metal base and secure it on
the bulb hooks.
9. Install rubber boot on the lamp assembly. Be sure to press firmly
around the perimeter of the boot and around the bulb to ensure the
proper seal of the bulb.
10. Connect the electrical connector into the rear of the bulb until it
“snaps.”
Replacing brake/tail/turn/backup lamp bulbs
The brake/tail/turn/backup lamp bulbs are located in the tail lamp
assembly, one just below the other. Follow the same steps to replace
either bulb:
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
41
Page 43 of 240
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
To remove the lamp assembly:
1. Remove the two screws and move
the lamp assembly away from the
liftgate.
2. Remove the bulb holder from the
lamp assembly by depressing the
snaps.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
To complete installation, follow the
removal procedure in reverse order.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing foglamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
43
Page 52 of 240

3. Press the SET ACC control and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 16 km/h (10 mph) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Resuming a set speed
Press the RSM control and release
it. This will automatically return the
vehicle to the previously set speed.
The RSM control will not work if the
vehicle speed is not faster than
48 km/h (30 mph).
Increasing speed while using speed control
There are two ways to set a higher
speed:
•Press and hold the SET ACC
control until you get to the
desired speed, then release the
control. You can also use the SET
ACC control to operate the
Tap-Up function. Press and
release this control to increase the vehicle set speed in small amounts
by 1.6 km/h (1 mph).
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the desired speed. When the
vehicle reaches that speed press and release the SET ACC control.
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
52
Page 117 of 240
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 3 (RUN) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
117
Page 119 of 240

Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by a qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Under normal operating conditions, brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels. Some brake dust is inevitable as brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. The use of modern friction materials with
emphasis on improved performance and environmental considerations
can lead to more dust than in the past. Brake dust can be cleaned by
weekly washing with soapy water and a soft sponge. Heavier deposits can
be removed with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A).
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
by keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor
and brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; any
pulsation or mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSlamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during start
up, remains on or flashes, the ABS may be disabled and may need to be
serviced
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
119
Page 120 of 240

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do 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, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
!
BRAKE
12
!
BRAKE
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
120