2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID transmission

WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
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 the 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 brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING: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.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
207
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to the components.
•Affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
209
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of “recreational towing” is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition to the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), but
you should always obey local speed limits.
You also have the option of trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on
a dolly (FWD only), or trailering with all four wheels off the ground.Do
not tow your four–wheel drive (4WD) vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground and the rear wheels on the ground (such as
with the use of a tow dolly).This will cause damage to your 4WD
system.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker towingin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
210
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity,
may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Do not overload
your vehicle and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower
speeds, avoiding abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased
stopping distance, when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading
or loading the vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability
and contribute to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Using a screwdriver or similar
tool, carefully pry out the small
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI) cover cap located to the
right of the gearshift lever.
3. Press the brake pedal and then
start the vehicle.
4. Insert a screwdriver or similar
tool straight down into the access
hole and press downward while
pulling the gearshift lever out of the
P (Park) position and into the N
(Neutral) position.
5. Remove tool and reinstall BTSI cover cap.
6. Release the parking brake and drive normally.
Driving
226
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Understanding the gearshift positions of the
electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
(eCVT)
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Start the engine
2. Release the parking brake
3. Press the brake pedal
4. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop
2. Move the gearshift lever and
securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving
227
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle is free to roll; hold
the brake pedal down while in this position. Because of the unique
nature of the hybrid vehicle, the engine will not start in the N (Neutral)
position.
The vehicle does not charge the high voltage battery in the N (Neutral)
position. Do not idle the vehicle in N (Neutral) for extended periods as
this will discharge your high voltage battery.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy.
L (Low)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•The transmission may be shifted into L (Low) at any vehicle speed.
WARNING:When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). Turn off the
ignition whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle
unattended while it is running. If you do not take these precautions,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
Driving
228
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

REARVIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The rearview camera system located
on the liftgate provides a video
image, which appears in the
rearview mirror or on the navigation
screen (if equipped), of the area
behind the vehicle. It adds
assistance to the driver while
reversing or reverse parking the
vehicle.
To use the camera, place the transmission in R (Reverse); an image will
display on the left portion of the rearview mirror or on the navigation
screen (if equipped). The area displayed on the screen may vary
according to the vehicle orientation and/or road condition.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Centerline of vehicle
Always use caution while backing.
Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the
green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone to
the yellow or red zones.
Use the side mirrors and rearview mirror to get better coverage on both
sides and rear of the vehicle.
Image delay if displayed through the rearview mirror:
When shifting out of R (Reverse) and into any other gear, the image in
the rearview mirror will remain on for a few seconds before it shuts off
to assist in parking or trailer hookup.
Image delay if displayed through the Navigation screen:
After shifting out of R (Reverse) and into any gear other than P (Park),
the image in the navigation screen will remain until the vehicle speed
reaches 5 mph (8 km/h), only if the rear camera delay feature is on, or
until any navigation radio button is pressed.
Driving
231
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

Why doesn’t APA position the vehicle where I want in the space?
•The driver allows the vehicle to roll in the opposite direction of the
transmission, such as rolling forward when R (Reverse) gear is
selected.
•You may be driving in R (Reverse). APA can only look for a parking
space while moving forward.
•There may be an irregular curb along the parking space. APA might
not be able to align the vehicle to curbs that are damaged, very
shallow or covered with material such as debris, leaves, snow, or tarps.
•The vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned
appropriately.
•The vehicle was pulled further up from the parking space than usual
while driving by the space. APA performs best when you drive the
same distance past the entire length of the parking space whenever
parking your vehicle.
•The tires may not be installed and maintained correctly. For example,
one or more tires may not be inflated correctly, may not be of the
same size, or may not be authorized for use on this vehicle.
•The vehicle had a repair or alteration that is not authorized by the
manufacturer.
•One of the parked vehicles has a high altitude attachment (i.e. salt
sprayer, snow plow, moving truck high bed, etc.) High altitude
attachments may not be detected by the system.
•The parking space length or parked objects position have changed
after the vehicle has passed the parking space.
•The temperature around your vehicle changes quickly, such as driving
from a heated garage into the cold or after leaving a car wash. As a
result, the outside air temperature displayed in the vehicle may not be
close enough to the actual temperature. APA relies on correctly
sensing the temperature outside for precisely positioning the vehicle.
BLIND SPOT MIRRORS
Blind spot mirrors have an integrated convex spotter mirror built into
the upper outboard corner of the outside mirrors. They are designed to
assist the driver by increasing visibility along the side of the vehicle. For
more information on your side view mirrors, refer toExterior mirrorsin
theDriver Controlschapter.
Driving
237
2011 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)