2007 FORD ESCAPE brakes

Seating and Safety Restraints 89
Seating 89
Safety restraints 97
Airbags 112
Child restraints 127
Tires, Wheels and Loading 139
Tire Information 141
Tire Inflation 143
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 156
Vehicle loading 160
Trailer towing 166
Recreational towing 171
Driving 172
Starting 172
Brakes 175
Transmission operation 178
Roadside Emergencies 197
Getting roadside assistance 197
Hazard flasher switch 198
Fuel pump shut-off switch 199
Fuses and relays 199
Changing tires 206
Lug Nut Torque 218
Jump starting 218
Wrecker towing 224
Customer Assistance 226
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 232
Cleaning 233
Table of Contents
2
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

3. Press the SET ACC control and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Disengaging speed control
To disengage the speed control:
•Depress the brake pedal.
Disengaging the speed control will not erase previous set speed.
Resuming a set speed
Press the RSM control and release
it. This will automatically return the
vehicle to the previously set speed.
The RSM control will not work if the
vehicle speed is not faster than
30 mph (48 km/h).
Increasing speed while using speed control
There are two ways to set a higher
speed:
•Press and hold the SET ACC
control until you get to the
desired speed, then release the
control. You can also use the SET
ACC control to operate the
Tap-Up function. Press and
release this control to increase the vehicle set speed in small amounts
by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
60

1. Select this function from the
INFO menu then press the SET
control to access the system check
function.
2. Press and release the SET control
to display “OIL CHNG XXX% HOLD
SET NEW”.
3. Press and hold the SET control
for 2 seconds to display “OIL
CHANGE SET TO 100%”.
INFO UNAVAIL.These messages indicate improper operation of the
vehicle network communication systems for the following vehicle
modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Door sensor
•Brakes
•Exterior lamps
•Emissions system
•4WD info
Contact your Ford Dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on
a regular basis.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
70

All safety belts in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts.
The passenger safety belts have two types of locking modes described
below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
This mode should be usedany timea child safety seat, except a
booster, is installed in passenger front or rear seating positions. Children
12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat
whenever possible. Refer toSafety restraints for childrenorSafety
seats for childrenlater in this chapter.
How to use the automatic locking mode
•Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
103

GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR.) Separate functional brakes should be used for
safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight– is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult your authorized
dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight– refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lb.
(782 to 1,304 kg)
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities
than the originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the
originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
164

transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each weigh220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 – (2 x 220) – (12 x 100) =1400 – 440 – 1200 = – 240 lb. No, you do not have enough cargo
capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the calculation
would be: 635 kg — (2 x 99 kg) — (12 x 45 kg) = 635 — 198 — 540
= —103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least 240 lb.
(104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then the load
calculation would be:
1400 – (2 x 220) – (9 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 900 = 60 lb. Now you
have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home.
In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg — (2 x 99 kg) —
(9 x 45 kg) = 635 — 198 — 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
theDrivingchapter of thisOwner’s Guide.
Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
166

•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide.
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
toVehicle loadingin this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Trailer Weight
Range - lb.
(kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m)2
2.3L w/manual
transmission4860 (2204) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission4940 (2241) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2 )
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission7080 (3211 ) 3500 (1588) 30 (2.8)
Notes:
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle loadingin this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the GCWR.
The Escape is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Escape vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
167

4x4
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Trailer Weight
Range - lb.
(kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m)2
2.3L w/manual
transmission5040 (2286) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission5100 (2313) 1500 (680 ) 24 (2.2)
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission7240 (3284 ) 3500 (1588 ) 30 (2.8)
Notes:
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle loadingin this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the GCWR.
The Escape is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Escape vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
168