
STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the gearshift lever
and steering column and allows key
removal.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. RUN, all electrical circuits
operational and warning lights will
illuminate. This is the position the
key is in when you’re driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
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Driving
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If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 3 (RUN) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 3 (RUN) without
turning the key to 4 (START). If
there is difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel until the
key turns freely. This condition may
occur when:
•the front wheels are turned
•a front wheel is against the curb
2. Turn the key to 4 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 1 (LOCK), wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine
still fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
2007 Escape(204)
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Driving
174

If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent 4WD System that
continuously monitors vehicle conditions and automatically adjusts the
power distribution between the front and rear wheels. It combines
transparent all-surface operation with highly capable four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is
capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway
driving as well as off-road and winter driving.
During very extreme off-road events, the 4WD system has a heat
protection mode to protect itself from damage. If the system detects an
overheat condition, it will enter a locked mode. If the heat in the 4WD
system continues to rise in locked mode, it will disable itself. To exit heat
protection mode, simply stop the vehicle and allow it to cool for five
minutes with the key in the 3 (RUN) position.
4WD system indicator lights
•Blinks continuouslywhen 4WD
system is disengaged (i.e. two
wheel drive) due to heat
protection mode.
•Illuminateswhen 4WD system requires service. Please bring your
vehicle to your local authorized dealer for service.
4WD system messages in Message Center (if equipped)
•SERVICE 4WD:Displayed when 4WD system requires service. Please
bring your vehicle to your local authorized dealer for service.
•4WD LOCKED TEMPORARILY:Displayed when 4WD system is
locked (i.e. permanent four wheel drive) due to heat protection mode.
•4WD DISABLED TEMPORARILY:Displayed when 4WD system is
disengaged (i.e. two wheel drive) due to heat protection mode.
•4WD AUTO RESTORED:Displayed when normal 4WD system
function is restored when heat protection mode is exited.
2007 Escape(204)
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Driving
189

If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
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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 the
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.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer toscheduled maintenance
informationfor 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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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checking and adding ..............245
dipstick ....................................245
filter, specifications ........248, 273
recommendations ...................248
refill capacities ........................274
specifications ..........................274
Exhaust fumes ..........................175
F
Fail safe cooling ........................255
Fluid capacities .........................274
Foglamps .....................................45
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................190
indicator light .........................189
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................178
Fuel ............................................257
calculating fuel
economy ............................64, 262
cap ...........................................259
capacity ...................................274
choosing the right fuel ...........260
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................265
detergent in fuel .....................261
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................257, 259, 262
filter, specifications ........257, 273
fuel pump shut-off switch .....199
improving fuel economy ........262
octane rating ...................261, 277
quality ......................................261
running out of fuel .................261
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................257
Fuses ..................................199, 201
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............259Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................262
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................198
Head restraints .....................89, 92
Headlamps ...................................42
aiming ........................................45
autolamp system .......................42
bulb specifications ....................48
daytime running lights .............44
flash to pass ..............................44
high beam .................................43
replacing bulbs .........................49
turning on and off ....................42
Heating
heater only system ...................39
Hood ..........................................241
I
Ignition ...............................172, 277
Illuminated visor mirror .............55
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................131
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................267
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................237
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................45
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......218
K
Keyless entry system .................83
2007 Escape(204)
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Index
284

autolock .....................................76
keypad .......................................83
locking and unlocking doors ....84
programming entry code .........83
Keys .............................................85
positions of the ignition .........172
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................42
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................48
daytime running light ...............44
fog lamps ...................................45
headlamps .................................42
headlamps, flash to pass ..........44
instrument panel, dimming .....45
interior lamps .....................47–49
replacing bulbs .........................49
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................47
Liftgate ........................................71
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........176
Load limits .................................160
Loading instructions .................166
Locks
autolock .....................................76
childproof ..................................78
Lubricant specifications ...........274
Lug nuts ....................................218
Luggage rack ...............................72
M
Manual transaxle .......................184
fluid, checking and adding ....271
reverse .....................................185Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................274
lubricant specifications ..........274
Message center ...........................63
english/metric button ...............65
system check button ................65
warning messages .....................66
Mirrors .........................................58
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................59
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................62
Motorcraft parts ........238, 257, 273
O
Octane rating ............................261
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................245
Overdrive ...................................180
P
Parking .......................................186
Parking brake ............................177
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....273
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................99
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................203
Power door locks ........................75
Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................56
Power steering ..........................177
fluid, checking and adding ....267
fluid, refill capacity ................274
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
285

alignment ................................149
care ..........................................145
changing ..................................208
checking the pressure ............145
inflating ...................................143
label .........................................155
replacing ..................................147
rotating ....................................149
safety practices .......................148
sidewall information ...............151
snow tires and chains ............160
spare tire .........................206, 208
terminology .............................142
tire grades ...............................142
treadwear ........................141, 146
Towing .......................................166
recreational towing .................171
trailer towing ..........................166
wrecker ....................................224
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................271
manual operation ....................184
Transmission
automatic operation ...............178
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....178fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................268
fluid, refill capacities ..............274
lubricant specifications ..........274
Turn signal ..................................47
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................278
Vehicle loading ..........................160
Ventilating your vehicle ...........175
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................244
Water, Driving through .............196
Windows
power .........................................57
rear wiper/washer .....................54
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....244
liftgate reservoir .....................244
operation ...................................53
replacing wiper blades ...........245
Wrecker towing .........................224
2007 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
287