2004 FORD ESCAPE brake

Seating and Safety Restraints 75
Seating 75
Safety restraints 85
Air bags 96
Child restraints 103
Driving 115
Starting 115
Brakes 119
Transmission operation 121
Trailer towing 143
Roadside Emergencies 149
Getting roadside assistance 149
Hazard flasher switch 150
Fuel pump shut-off switch 150
Fuses and relays 151
Changing tires 158
Jump starting 164
Wrecker towing 169
Customer Assistance 171
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 179
Cleaning 180
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Table of Contents
2

Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)
in theSeating and safety restraintschapter. Failure to follow
the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal injury.
Front seat mounted rear facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe used in front of a passenger side air bag unless the
air bag can be and is turned OFF.
Data Recording
Computers in your vehicle are capable of recording detailed data
potentially including but not limited to information such as:
•the use of restraint systems including seat belts by the driver and
passengers,
•information about the performance of various systems and modules in
the vehicle, and
•information related to engine, throttle, steering, brake or other system
status.
Any of this information could potentially include information regarding
how the driver operates the vehicle, potentially including but not limited
to information regarding vehicle speed, brake or accelerator application,
or steering input. This information may be stored during regular
operation or in a crash or near crash event.
This stored information may be read out and used by:
•Ford Motor Company.
•service and repair facilities.
•law enforcement or government agencies.
•others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such
information.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
6

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

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

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

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

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

Reducing speed while using speed control
There are two ways to reduce a set
speed:
•Press and hold the CST control
until you get to the desired
speed, then release the control.
You can also use the CST control
to operate the Tap-Down
function. Press and release this
control to decrease the vehicle set speed in small amounts by
1.6 km/h (1 mph).
•Depress the brake pedal until the
desired vehicle speed is reached,
press the SET ACC control.
Turning off speed control
There are two ways to turn off the speed control:
•Depress the brake pedal or the clutch pedal (if equipped). This will
not erase your vehicle’s previously set speed.
•Press the speed control OFF
control.
Note:When you turn off the speed
control or the ignition, your speed
control set speed memory is erased.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment
•Cupholders
•Ashcup
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
ON
OFF
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
53