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
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:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for 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:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 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
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
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 Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies
149
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the front disc brake hub and rotor that contacts the
wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the
wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of
control.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; doing so may
damage the catalytic converter.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
164
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were
connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal surface.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
2. Remove the jumper cable on the negative (-) connection of the
booster vehicle’s battery.
+–+–
+–+–
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
167
3. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the booster
vehicle’s battery.
4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the
disabled vehicle’s battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables
removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can
relearnits idle conditions.
+–+–
+–+–
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
168
Child safety seats ..............106–107
attaching with tether straps ..111
in front seat ............................108
in rear seat ..............................108
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............181
instrument panel ....................183
interior .....................................184
interior trim ............................183
plastic parts ............................182
washing ....................................180
waxing .....................................180
wheels ......................................181
wiper blades ............................183
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......31–32
Clock adjust
Single CD ..................................15
Clutch
fluid ..................................211, 214
operation while driving ..........127
recommended shift speeds ....128
Console ........................................53
overhead ....................................46
Controls
power seat .................................76
Coolant
checking and adding ..............196
refill capacities ................199, 220
specifications ..................223, 225
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................51
Customer Assistance ................149
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................185
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................173
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................177Getting roadside assistance ...149
Getting the service you
need .........................................171
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................178
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................173
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................176
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................34
Defrost
rear window ..............................33
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................211
engine oil .................................190
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........223
Driving under special
conditions ..................126, 133, 135
sand .........................................134
snow and ice ...........................136
through water .................134, 141
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................164
Emission control system ..........208
Engine ........................................225
cleaning ...................................181
coolant .....................................196
idle speed control ...................194
lubrication
specifications ..................223, 225
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
232
I
Ignition ...............................115, 225
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .............106–107
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................210
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................183
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................35
J
Jack ............................................158
positioning ...............................158
storage .....................................158
Jump-starting your vehicle ......164
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........115
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................34
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................39
cargo lamps ...............................35
daytime running light ...............34
fog lamps ...................................34
headlamps .................................34
headlamps, flash to pass ..........35
instrument panel, dimming .....35
interior lamps .....................37–39
replacing bulbs ...................39–43Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................37
Liftgate ........................................55
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........119
Load limits .................................141
GAWR ......................................141
GVWR ......................................141
trailer towing ..........................141
Loading instructions .................143
Locks
childproof ..................................66
Lubricant specifications ...223, 225
M
Manual transaxle .......................127
fluid, checking and adding ....213
reverse .....................................128
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................220
lubricant specifications ..........225
Mirrors .........................................48
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................48
fold away ...................................51
heated ........................................51
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ................205, 220
O
Octane rating ............................204
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................190
Overdrive ...................................123
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
234
P
Parking .......................................129
Parking brake ............................120
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....220
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................155
Power point .................................49
Power steering ..........................120
fluid, checking and adding ....210
fluid, refill capacity ................220
fluid, specifications .........223, 225
Power Windows ...........................49
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................121
R
Radio ..........................15, 18, 22, 26
Single CD ..................................15
Rear window defroster ...............33
Relays ........................................151
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................70
locking/unlocking doors ...........65
Reverse sensing system ...........139
Roadside assistance ..................149
Roof rack .....................................56
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............96
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........85–89Safety defects, reporting ..........179
Safety restraints ....................85–90
belt minder ...............................92
extension assembly ..................91
for adults .............................86–89
for children .....................103–104
lap belt ......................................90
safety belt maintenance ...........96
warning light and chime ....91–92
Safety seats for children ..106–107
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............85
Seats ............................................75
child safety seats ............106–107
heated ........................................77
Servicing your vehicle ..............186
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........158
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................220, 225
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................223, 225
Speed control ..............................51
Starting your vehicle .......115–116,
118
jump starting ..........................164
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................46
Stereo
Single CD ..................................15
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
235