Page 1 of 296
Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 12
Warning lights and chimes 12
Gauges 17
Entertainment Systems 20
Auxiliary input jack 27
Satellite radio information 30
Navigation system 33
Climate Controls 34
Manual heating and air conditioning 34
Dual automatic temperature control 37
Rear window defroster 40
Lights 41
Headlamps 41
Turn signal control 45
Bulb replacement 47
Driver Controls 52
Windshield wiper/washer control 52
Steering wheel adjustment 53
Power windows 56
Mirrors 57
Speed control 61
Moon roof 65
Message center 66
Locks and Security 78
Keys 78
Locks 80
Anti-theft system 91
Table of Contents
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2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Page 12 of 296
WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause extensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Throttle control/Powertrain:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
has been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the RUN position and
any door is open.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake ON chime:Sounds when the parking brake is left ON
and the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is
off, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Message center activation chime (if equipped):Sounds when a
warning message (except PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED while parked)
appears in the message center display for the first time.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CD/CD player care
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only.
(Never touch the playing
surface).
•Inspect discs before playing.
•Clean only with an approved CD
cleaner.
•Wipe discs from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Clean using a circular motion.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 4.75 in
(12 cm) audio compact discs only. Due to technical
incompatibility, certain recordable and re-recordable compact
discs may not function correctly when used in Ford CD players.
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Entertainment Systems
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HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position
to turn on the
parking lamps. Rotate to the second
position
to turn on the
headlamps.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system is factory
programmed to keep the lights on
for 20 seconds after the ignition
switch is turned to off. This delay
can be programmed, using the
procedure listed below, to any value
up to 180 seconds. If equipped, this
delay can also be programmed through the message center
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps it will have the
headlamps on with windshield wipers feature.If the windshield
wipers are turned on (for a fixed period of time) the exterior lamps will
turn on with headlamp control in the Autolamp position.
2008 Escape(204)
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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.
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High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the 3 (RUN) position.
•the headlamp control must be in the OFF, parking lamps or autolamp
position.
•with automatic transmission, the transmission is not in P (Park),
•with manual transmission, the parking brake must be released.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
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PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
Rotate to full down position (past
detent) to prevent interior lamps
from illuminating when the doors
are opened.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height from the
center of your headlamp to the
ground and mark an 8 foot
(2.4 meter) horizontal reference line
on the vertical wall or screen at this
height (a piece of masking tape works well). The center of the lamp is
marked by a 3.0 mm circle on the headlamp lens.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood. Cover the left-hand headlamp with an opaque cloth.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
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