2004 FORD ESCAPE tow

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

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust
themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 800 km (500 miles) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand kilometers (miles) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 6.0L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner’s
Guide.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
5

21.Treble:Press/to
decrease/increase the treble output.
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
29

4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM
1.Fan speed adjustment:Controls
the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2.Air flow selections:Controls
the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief
description on each control.
MAX A/C:Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. Air flows from the
instrument panel vents only.
A/C:Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. Air flows from the instrument
panel vents only.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents.
O (OFF):Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and the
floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents and
floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents. The
air conditioner will automatically turn on to dehumidify the air.
3.Temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the airflow in
the vehicle.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Climate Controls
32

Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
air flow selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
•Under normal weather conditions, do not leave the air flow selector in
MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle
to “breathe” using the outside air inlet vents.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to 4.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster is on the
instrument panel. Press to clear the
rear window of thin ice and fog. The
small LED will illuminate when
activated.
Ensure that the ignition is ON to operate the rear window defroster.
The defroster turns off automatically after 15 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the defroster
before 15 minutes have passed, push the control again.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Climate Controls
33

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel.
•Push and hold top of control to
brighten.
OFF
OFF
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
35

4. On the wall or screen you will
observe a light pattern with a
distinct horizontal edge of high
intensity light towards the right. If
this edge is not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need to
be adjusted.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
the headlamp, then usea5mmhex
socket or T20 Torx driver to turn
the adjuster either counterclockwise
(to adjust down) or clockwise (to
adjust up) aligning the upper edge
of the light pattern to the horizontal
line.
6. Move the opaque cloth to cover
the right-hand headlamp and repeat
steps 4 and 5 for the left-hand
headlamp.
7. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
8. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome lamps and map lamps
The front dome lamp is located overhead between the driver and
passenger seats.
OFF
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
37

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:For intermittent
operation, move control down one
position.
Adjust the rotary control to the
desired speed setting.
For normal or low speed wiper
operation, move control down two
positions from OFF.
For high speed wiper operation,
move control down three positions
from OFF.
Mist function:To mist, push
control up from the OFF position
and release to get one wipe.
Windshield washer:To activate
the windshield washer, pull control
toward you. Release control to stop
washer fluid spray.
2004 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
Driver Controls
44