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INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
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. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
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.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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SNOW TIRES AND CABLES
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, you may need to use snow
tires and cables. If you need to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•SAE class “S” cables should ONLY be used on the front axle for
P235/70R16 tires.
•Do not use cables or chains with P225/65R17 tires.
•Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables to prevent vehicle damage.
•Avoid overloading your vehicle.
•Remove the cables when they are no longer needed.
•Do not use cables on dry roads.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables on your vehicle.
Consult your authorized dealer for information on other Ford Motor
Company approved methods of traction control.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
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The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Not used (spare)
2 15A Brake On/Off switch
3 15A Not used (spare)
4 30A Not used (spare)
5 10A Keypad illumination, Brake Shift
Interlock (BSI), SPDJB
6 20A Turn signals, Stop lamps
7 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
8 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
9 15A Interior lights
10 15A Backlighting
11 10A Four wheel drive
12 7.5A Power mirror switch
13 7.5A Canister vent
14 10A FCIM (radio buttons), Satellite
radio, Front display module
15 10A Climate control
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Roadside Emergencies
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Fuse/RelayLocation Fuse Amp
Rating Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
16 15A Not used (spare)
17 20A All lock motor feeds, Liftgate release, Liftglass release
18 20A Heated seat
19 25A Rear wiper
20 15A Datalink
21 15A Fog lamps
22 15A Park lamps
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn relay
25 10A Demand lamps
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Ignition switch
28 5A Radio
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Overdrive cancel
31 10A Compass module
32 10A Restraints control module
33 10A Speed control switch
34 5A Speed control deactivate switch, ABS
35 10A Four wheel drive, EPAS (steering)
36 5A PATS transceiver
37 10A Climate control
38 20A
Subwoofer/Amp (Audiophile radio)
39 20A Radio
40 20A Front power point
41 15A Driver/passenger door lock switches
42 10A Not used (spare)
43 10A Rear wiper logic, Heated seats relay, Auto dimming mirror
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Roadside Emergencies
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Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................132
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............243
instrument panel ....................246
interior .....................................246
plastic parts ............................245
washing ....................................242
waxing .....................................243
wheels ......................................243
wiper blades ............................245
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......34, 37
Clutch
fluid ..........................................278
operation while driving ..........195
recommended shift speeds ....196
Compass, electronic ....................58
calibration .................................60
set zone adjustment .................59
Console ........................................54
overhead ....................................54
Controls
power seat .................................96
steering column ........................64
Coolant
checking and adding ..............261
refill capacities ................265, 283
specifications ..........................283
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................206
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................238
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................239
Getting roadside assistance ...206
Getting the service you
need .........................................234Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................240
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................43
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................278
engine oil .................................255
Driving under special
conditions ..................194, 200, 203
sand .........................................201
snow and ice ...........................204
through water .................202, 205
E
Electronic message center .........66
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................227
Emergency Flashers .................208
Emission control system ..........275
Engine ........................................286
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................261
fail-safe cooling .......................266
idle speed control ...................259
lubrication specifications .......283
refill capacities ........................283
service points ..................251–252
starting after a collision .........208
Engine block heater .................181
Engine oil ..................................255
checking and adding ..............255
dipstick ....................................255
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
292