These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
10
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance in MAX A/C mode:
1. Select MAX A/C.
2. Move temperature control selector to the coolest setting.
3. Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
comfort.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
36
13.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. Engages
automatically in AUTO, MAX A/C,
(defrost) and(floor/defrost).
14.Driver heated seat control (if equipped):Press to
activate/adjective the driver heated seat. SeeHeated seatsin the
Seating and Safety Restraintschapter.
Outside temperature:The outside temperature will appear in the
display and is labeled EXT TEMP.
Temperature conversion:To switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius: If
your vehicle is equipped with a message center, refer toSetup menuin
theMessage centersection of theDriver Controlschapter.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather,
select
(defrost) or(floor/defrost).
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system OFF or with
(recirculated air) engaged and A/C off.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance:
•Automatic operation:
1. Press AUTO for full automatic operation.
2. Do not override A/C or
(recirculated air).
3. Set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
•Manual operation:
1. Select MAX A/C.
2. Select
or.
3. Select
(recirculated air) to provide colder airflow.
4. Set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
5. Set highest fan setting initially, then adjust to maintain comfort.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
39
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
R
The rear defroster control is located on the climate control panel and
works to clear the rear window of fog and thin ice.
The engine must be running to operate the rear window defroster.
Press
Rto turn the rear window defroster on. An indicator light on
the button will illuminate when active. The rear window defroster turns
off automatically after a predetermined amount of time, if a low battery
condition is detected or when the ignition is turned to the 1 (LOCK) or
2 (ACC) position. To manually turn off the rear window defroster at any
time, press the control again.
If your vehicle is equipped with both rear defroster and heated mirrors,
the same button will activate both. Refer toHeated outside mirrorsin
theDriver Controlschapter.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside or the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines and
will not be covered by your warranty.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
40
Autolamp delay system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with autolamps, you can set the delay time to
keep the headlights on for up to three minutes after the key is turned
OFF. The delay time is set to 20 seconds at the factory, but the delay
time may be changed by following the steps below (Steps 1 through 6
must be done within 10 seconds):
1. Turn the key to the 1 (LOCK)
position.
2. Rotate the headlamp control to
the autolamp position.
3. Rotate the headlamp control to
the OFF position.
4. Turn the key to the 3 (RUN)
position.
5. Turn the key back to the 1
(LOCK) position.
6. Turn the headlamp control to the autolamp position (the headlights
should turn on).
7. Turn the headlamp control to the OFF position when the desired
delay time (up to 3 minutes) has been reached.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the foglamps. The foglamps can be
turned on when the headlamp
control is in the
,or
positions and the high beams are
not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
42
Interior lighting battery saver
The interior lamps will automatically extinguish after 10 minutes when
the ignition key is in OFF/LOCK position, a door has been left open or
the interior lamp controls are in the ON position.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlamp Condensation
The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters
the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and will clear
within 45 minutes of headlamp operation.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an
“E” for Europe to ensure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Number of bulbs Trade number
Headlamps (high and low
beams)2
H13
Park/turn lamps (front) 2 3457 NAK (amber)
Side marker (front) 2 194
Rear stop/tail/sidemarker 2 4157K
Backup lamp 2 921
Foglamp (front) 2 PS24WFF
Center High-mount stop
lamp5
W5WL
Rear license plate lamp 2 168
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
47
4. Pull bulb straight out of socket
and push in the new bulb.
5. Install the bulb socket into the
lamp assembly and rotate clockwise.
6. To install, carefully press the
lamp assembly into liftgate.
Replacing foglamp bulbs (if equipped)
1. Make sure the foglamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. From underneath the vehicle,
remove the harness/bulb assembly
from the lamp assembly.
3. Carefully disconnect the bulb
from the harness assembly via the
two snap clips.
Install the new bulb in reverse order.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
51
filter, specifications ........258, 282
recommendations ...................258
refill capacities ........................283
specifications ..........................283
Exhaust fumes ..........................181
F
Fail safe cooling ........................266
Fluid capacities .........................283
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................199
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................189
Fuel ............................................267
calculating fuel
economy ............................67, 272
cap ...........................................269
capacity ...................................283
choosing the right fuel ...........270
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................275
detergent in fuel .....................271
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................267, 269, 272
filter, specifications ........267, 282
fuel pump shut-off switch .....208
improving fuel economy ........272
octane rating ...................271, 286
quality ......................................271
running out of fuel .................271
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................267
Fuses ..................................209–210
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............269Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................272
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................208
Head restraints .....................95, 98
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................44
bulb specifications ....................47
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
replacing bulbs .........................48
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................37
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................34
Hood ..........................................250
I
Ignition ...............................178, 286
Illuminated visor mirror .............54
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................135
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................277
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................246
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................44
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......227
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
293