2005 FORD ESCAPE warning

Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 5 km/h (3 mph). The system is not
effective at speeds above 5 km/h (3 mph) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the reverse sensing system as contained in this
section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some (generally large and
fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at“parking
speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the function of the RSS;
this may include reduced performance or a false activation.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in
reverse and when using the RSS.
This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
154

Illumination of theindicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules.If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCON
AT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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10.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the tire label or the
safety certification label, located on the B-Pillar or the driver’s door, for
the correct tire pressure for your vehicle
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1⁄2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Tire manufactures
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure
which can be found on either the tire label or certification label which is
located on the structure by the trailing edge of the driver’s door or the
edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set
lower than the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
244

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
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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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Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................175
Power Point
Cigar lighter ..............................52
Power steering ..........................136
fluid, checking and adding ....234
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
Power Windows ...........................53
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................137
R
Radio ................................16, 19, 23
Rear window defroster ...............35
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ................42, 84
locking/unlocking doors ...........77
Reverse sensing system ...........154
Roadside assistance ..................168
Roof rack .....................................68
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........109
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ..........96, 99–103
Safety Canopy ...........................116
Safety defects, reporting ..........202
Safety restraints ............96, 99–103
belt minder .............................105
extension assembly ................104
for adults .........................100–102
for children .............................119Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................97
safety belt maintenance .........109
warning light and chime ........104
Safety seats for children ..........122
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............96
Seats ............................................89
child safety seats ....................122
heated ........................................91
Servicing your vehicle ..............209
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................16
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ..........25, 29
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................21
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications ......253,
259
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................55
Starting your vehicle .......130–131,
133
jump starting ..........................186
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................50
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................33
Tilt steering wheel ......................50
Tires ...........................177, 239–241
alignment ................................248
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
271

care ..........................................246
changing ..................177, 179, 186
checking the pressure ............246
label .........................................246
replacing ..................................251
rotating ....................................248
safety practices .......................251
sidewall information ...............242
snow tires and chains ............252
spare tire .................................178
terminology .............................241
tire grades ...............................240
treadwear ........................240, 250
Towing .......................................162
recreational towing .................167
trailer towing ..........................162
wrecker ....................................192
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................237
manual operation ....................142
Transmission
automatic operation ...............137
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....137
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................235
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
Turn signal ..................................41V
Vehicle dimensions ...................259
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................262
Vehicle loading ..........................156
Ventilating your vehicle ...........134
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................213
Water, Driving through .............156
Windows
power .........................................53
rear wiper/washer .....................49
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....213
liftgate reservoir .....................213
operation ...................................48
replacing wiper blades .............49
Wrecker towing .........................192
2005 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
272