2008 FORD ESCAPE octane

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the Right
Fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
271

•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.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
273

ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 140 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Spark plug gap 0.049–0.053 inch
(1.25–1.35mm)0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression ratio 9.7:1 10.0:1
Engine drivebelt routing
•2.3L I4 Engine with A/C—Without A/C similar
•3.0L V6 Engine
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
286

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

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