
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking“Antabuse”or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors,
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse
reaction.
When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn until it
stops.
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3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it stops.
After refueling, if the“CHECK FUEL CAP”indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it securely. The“CHECK FUEL CAP”indicator
should turn off after three driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly
installed. A driving cycle consists of a cold engine start-up followed by
mixed city/highway driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. Remove fuel filler cap
slowly. Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive vacuum in
the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel cap
to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
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Maintenance and Specifications
227

A
Accessory delay ..........................53
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........109–110, 116
and child safety seats ............111
description ......................110, 116
disposal ....................................119
driver air bag ..................112, 117
indicator light .................115, 118
operation .........................112, 117
passenger air bag ...........112, 117
Air cleaner filter ...............238, 253
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................145
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................219
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................134–135
Anti-theft system ........................87
arming the system ....................87
disarming a triggered
system .......................................88
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 19, 23
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................235
fluid, checking ........................235
Automatic transmission ............137
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................139
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................259
Auxiliary power point .................52
Axle
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
refill capacities ........................254B
Battery .......................................217
acid, treating emergencies .....217
jumping a disabled battery ....186
maintenance-free ....................217
replacement, specifications ...253
servicing ..................................217
BeltMinder .................................105
Brakes ........................................134
anti-lock ...........................134–135
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............135
fluid, checking and adding ....235
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
parking ....................................135
shift interlock ..........................137
Bulbs ............................................43
C
Calculating load ........................161
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Cargo area shade ........................67
Cassette tape player ...................23
Cell phone use ............................58
Certification Label ....................261
Changing a tire .........................177
Child safety restraints ..............119
child safety belts ....................119
Child safety seats ......................122
attaching with tether straps ..126
in front seat ............................123
in rear seat ..............................123
Cigar lighter
Power Point ..............................52
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Index
Index
267

Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................206
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................39
J
Jack ............................................177
positioning ...............................177
storage .....................................177
Jump-starting your vehicle ......186
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........130
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................36
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................43
daytime running light ...............37
fog lamps ...................................37
headlamps .................................36
headlamps, flash to pass ..........38
instrument panel, dimming .....39
interior lamps .....................41–43
replacing bulbs ...................43–47
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................41
Liftgate ........................................66
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........135
Load limits .................................156
Loading instructions .................161
Locks
childproof ..................................80Lubricant specifications ...257, 259
Luggage rack ...............................68
M
Manual transaxle .......................142
fluid, checking and adding ....237
reverse .....................................143
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........259
Message center ...........................59
english/metric button ...............61
system check button ................61
warning messages .....................62
Mirrors .........................................52
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................55
fold away ...................................54
heated ........................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......54
Moon roof ....................................58
Motorcraft parts ................229, 253
O
Octane rating ............................228
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................213
Overdrive ...................................139
P
Parking .......................................144
Parking brake ............................135
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....253
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................97
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
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