2004 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
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If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Locate the access cover plate to
the brake-shift interlock override. It
is located on the top of the steering
column.
3. Insert a tool (or a screwdriver)
into the right-hand side of the
brake-shift interlock access cover
and remove the cover.
4. Insert a tool (or screw driver)
into the access hole to override the
brake-shift interlock. Apply the
brake and shift into Neutral while
holding down the override tab.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
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Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic overdrive transaxle
provides fully automatic operation in
either D (Overdrive) or with the
O/D OFF switch depressed. Driving
with the gearshift lever in D
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel
economy for normal driving
conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the
engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
R D 2 1ODO
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Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transaxle
Your transaxle is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability, and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transaxle may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered
normal and will not affect function or durability of the transaxle. Over
time, the adaptive learning process will fully update transaxle operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the strategy must be relearned.
P (Park)
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
R D 2 1ODO
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N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
D (Overdrive) can be deactivated by
pressing the O/D OFF switch on the
end of the gearshift lever. This will
illuminate the O/D OFF lamp and
activate Drive.
Drive (O/D OFF switch pressed)
Drive is activated when the O/D OFF switch is pressed.
•This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
•O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
•To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the O/D OFF switch. The
O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
•O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to D (Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the D
(Overdrive) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transaxle to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
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1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Overdrive) or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
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MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle have a starter interrupt interlock
that prevents cranking of the engine unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle, you must:
1. Put the gearshift lever in the
neutral position.
2. Hold down the brake pedal.
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Without depressing the
accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
to position 4 (START), release the
ignition as soon as the engine starts.
5. Let the engine idle for a few
seconds.
6. Release the brake pedal, then
slowly release the clutch pedal while
pressing down slowly on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do
not use the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
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Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
1-2 22 km/h (14 mph)
2-3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3-4 55 km/h (34 mph)
4-5 70 km/h (44 mph)
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 19 km/h (12 mph)
2-3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3-4 46 km/h (29 mph)
4-5 61 km/h (38 mph)
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift
into R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transaxle.
Put the gearshift lever into the
neutral position and wait at least
three seconds before shifting into R
(Reverse).
NOTE:You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift lever
from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears before you shift into R
(Reverse). This is a special lockout feature which prevents you from
shifting into R (Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Fifth).
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