The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
Five-speed manual 3
Four-speed automatic 4
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288
A
Accessory delay ..........................57
AdvanceTrac ..............................184
Air cleaner filter ...............280, 282
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ..........................37
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................34
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................116–117, 125, 128
and child safety seats ............118
description ..............117, 125, 128
disposal ....................................131
driver airbag ............119, 126, 129
indicator light .........125, 127, 130
operation .................119, 126, 129
passenger airbag .....119, 126, 129
side airbag ...............................125
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................199
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................261
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................182
Anti-theft system ........................91
Audio system (see Radio) .........20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................278
fluid, checking ........................278
Automatic transmission ............190
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................192
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specification ..................283
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................27Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........283
refill capacities ........................283
B
Battery .......................................259
acid, treating emergencies .....259
jumping a disabled battery ....227
maintenance-free ....................259
replacement, specifications ...282
servicing ..................................259
Belt-Minder.............................112
Booster seats .............................132
Brakes ........................................182
anti-lock ...................................182
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................183
fluid, checking and adding ....278
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specifications .................283
lubricant specifications ..........283
parking ....................................183
shift interlock ..........................190
Bulbs ............................................47
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....283
Cargo area shade ........................73
Cargo management system ........74
Cell phone use ..............................9
Child safety restraints ..............131
child safety belts ....................131
Child safety seats ......................135
attaching with tether straps ..139
in front seat ............................136
in rear seat ..............................136
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
291
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
K
Keyless entry system .................89
autolock ...............................80, 82
keypad .......................................90
locking and unlocking doors ....91
programming entry code .........90
Keys .......................................78, 92
positions of the ignition .........178
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................47
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps .................................41
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....44
interior lamps .....................45–47
replacing bulbs .........................48
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................45
Liftgate ..................................73, 86
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........183
Load limits .................................166
Loading instructions .................172
Locks
autolock ...............................80, 82
childproof ..................................84
doors ..........................................80
Lubricant specifications ...........283
Lug nuts ....................................226
Luggage rack ...............................75M
Manual transaxle
fluid, checking and adding ....280
Manual transmission .................195
fluid capacities ........................283
lubricant specifications ..........283
reverse .....................................196
Message center ...........................66
english/metric button ...............69
system check button ................68
warning messages .....................71
Mirrors ...................................57, 60
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................61
heated ........................................61
side view mirrors (power) .......60
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ........247, 267, 282
N
Navigation system .......................33
O
Octane rating ............................271
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................255
Overdrive ...................................191
P
Parking brake ............................183
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....282
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................105
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................213
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
294