2005 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

•Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire
rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
“wear bars”, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
“wear bars”, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
•Fabric showing through the tire rubber
•Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
•Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
•Cracks in the tread groove
•Impact damage resulting from use
•Separation in the tread
•Separation in the sidewall
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
250

•Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size
and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure. If
you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford
or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating because it
can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result
in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
251

Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35 mph) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•SAE class“S”cable should be used only on front axle for P235/70R16
tires. With P225/75R15 and P215/70R16 tires, SAE class“S”cables can
be used on both the front and rear wheels.
•Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
•Avoid overloading your vehicle.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252

•Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
•Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
•Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables or chains on your
vehicle.
Consult your dealer for information on other Ford approved methods of
traction control.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec
engine
Air filter element
1FA-1683 FA-1683
Fuel filter FG-800-A FG-800-A
Battery BXT-40R BXT-40R
Oil filter FL-400S FL-820-S
PCV valve
2
Spark Plugs3
1
Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe engine
damage. The customer warranty may be voided for any damage to the
engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
2The PCV valve is a critical emission component. It is one of the items
listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guideand is essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
For PCV valve replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the
appropriate intervals for changing the PCV valve.
Replace the PCV valve with one that meets Ford material and design
specifications for your vehicle, such as a Motorcraft or equivalent
replacement part. The customer warranty may be void for any
damage to the emissions system if such a PCV valve is not used.
3For spark plug replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the
appropriate intervals for changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be void
for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not used.
Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
253

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid (and
clutch fluid if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)
6
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)2.3L I4 engine 4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine5.7L
(6.0 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 2.3L I4 engine 62L
(16.5 gallons)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine62L
(16.5 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
API GL-4 Gear
OilManual transaxle
(2WD)2.3L
(2.4 quarts)2
Manual transaxle
(4X4)2.4L
(2.5 quarts)2
Motorcraft
MERCONAT F2.3L engine with
Automatic
transaxle and oil
cooler9.6L
(10.2 quarts)3
3.0L engine with
Automatic
transaxle and oil
cooler9.6L
(10.2 quarts)3
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
254

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power Take-off
UnitMotorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant4X4 (Automatic) 0.35L
(12 ounces)
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4X4 (Manual) 0.35L
(12 ounces)
Engine coolant
4Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)2.3L I4 engine
with manual
transaxle5.0L
(5.3 quarts)
2.3L I4 engine
with automatic
transaxle6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine with
automatic
transaxle10.0L
(10.6 quarts)
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4X4 1.4L
(2.96 pints)
5
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L
(2.7 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used.
Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick
blade. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO
NOT mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to your Scheduled
Maintenace Guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
5Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153–H and the API Certification mark.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
256