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
1
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Page 16 of 296

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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Instrument Cluster
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Page 33 of 296
Radio Display Condition Action Required
NO TEXT Category information
not available.Category information not
available at this time on
this channel. The system
is working properly.
NO SIGNAL Loss of signal from the
SIRIUS satellite or
SIRIUS tower to the
vehicle antenna.You are in a location that
is blocking the SIRIUS
signal (i.e., tunnel, under
an overpass, dense
foliage, etc). The system
is working properly.
When you move into an
open area, the signal
should return.
UPDATING Update of channel
programming in
progress.No action required. The
process may take up to
three minutes.
CALL SIRIUS
1–888–539–7474Satellite service has
been deactivated by
SIRIUS Satellite Radio.Call SIRIUS at
1–888–539–7474 to
re-activate or resolve
subscription issues.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Navigation System. Refer to the
Navigation supplementfor further information.
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Entertainment Systems
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Page 45 of 296
4. On the wall or screen you will
observe a light pattern with a
distinct horizontal edge of high
intensity light towards the right. If
this edge is not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need to
be adjusted.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
the headlamp, then usea4mm
socket to turn the adjuster either
counterclockwise (to adjust up) or
clockwise (to adjust down) aligning
the upper edge of the light pattern
to the horizontal line.
6. Move the opaque cloth to cover
the right-hand headlamp and repeat
Steps 4 and 5 for the left-hand
headlamp.
7. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
8. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome lamps and map lamps
The front dome lamp is located overhead between the driver and
passenger seats.
2008 Escape(204)
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USA(fus)
Lights
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Page 48 of 296

Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Reach over the front bolster.
4. Remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and then pulling it
straight out.
5. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb.
Handle a halogen headlamp
bulb carefully and keep out
of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb
only by its plastic base and do not
touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the
headlamps are operated.
6. Connect the electrical connector on the new bulb.
7. Insert the glass end of the new bulb into the headlamp assembly.
When the grooves in the plastic base are aligned, turn the new bulb
clockwise to install.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Reach over the front bolster.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
the lamp assembly.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
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Page 86 of 296

Switching from two step to one step door unlocking
Unlocking can be switched between two step and one step door
unlocking by pressing and holding both
andbuttons
simultaneously on the remote entry transmitter for approximately 4
seconds. The turn signal will flash twice to indicate that the vehicle has
switched to one step unlocking. Repeat the procedure to switch back to
two step unlocking.
Locking the doors
1. Pressand release to lock all the doors. Assuming all vehicle doors
and the liftgate are properly closed, the park/turn lamps will flash once.
2. Press
and release again within three seconds to confirm that all the
doors and liftgate are closed and locked.Note:The doors will lock again
and the horn will chirp once.
If any of the doors or the hood are not properly closed, the horn will
chirp twice and park/turn lamps will not flash when the
control is
pressed.
Opening the liftgate (if equipped)
Presstwice within 3 seconds to open the liftgate glass.
Car finder
Press
twice within 3 seconds. The horn will chirp and the turn lamps
will flash. It is recommended that this method be used to locate your
vehicle, rather than using the panic alarm.
Sounding a panic alarm
Press and hold
for 1.5 seconds to activate the alarm. To deactivate
the feature, press the control again, turn the ignition to the 3 (RUN) or 4
(START) position, or wait for the alarm to time out in approximately 3
minutes.
Note:The panic alarm will only operate when the ignition is in the 1
(LOCK) position.
Replacing the battery
The Integrated Keyhead Transmitter uses one coin type three-volt
lithium battery CR2032 or equivalent.
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Locks and Security
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Page 175 of 296

Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to hook retainers on the
vehicle. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric, manual, automatic or surge-type brakes, if compatible with the
vehicle, are safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Do not
connect trailer lamps directly to your vehicle’s tail lamps. This can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical system. See your authorized dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) during the first
500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
The hazard flasher is located on the
steering column, just behind the
steering wheel. The hazard flashers
will operate when the ignition is in
any position or if the key is not in
the ignition.
Push in the flasher control and all
front and rear direction signals will
flash. Press the flasher control again
to turn them off. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a
safety hazard for other motorists.
Note:With extended use, the flasher may run down your battery.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
This device stops the electric fuel pump from sending fuel to the engine
when your vehicle has had a substantial jolt.
After an accident, if the engine cranks but does not start, this switch
may have been activated.
2008 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
208