Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
Overdrive cancel and grade
assist:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off
and the grade assist function has
been turned on, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLockPassive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
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 on 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 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.
Instrument Cluster
16
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer toMyKey™in
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
VEHICLE SPEED 80 MPH MAX— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and the Admin has enabled the MyKey speed limit and the vehicle
speed is 80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MPH— Displayed when starting the vehicle
and MyKey™ is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer to
MyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
CHECK SPEED DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and the optional setting is on and the vehicle exceeds a preselected
speed. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
TOP SPEED MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is 80 mph
(130 km/h). Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for
more information.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
ADVTRAC ON MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use when trying to disable the AdvanceTracsystem and the optional
setting is on. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for
more information.
ACTIVE PARK FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when a fault has
occurred with the active park assist system. Refer toActive park assist
in theDrivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK CANCELLED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
active park assist feature has been canceled when it is in use. Refer to
Active park assistin theDrivingchapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
26
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
CANCELLED BY OVER SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
active park assist feature self cancels due to vehicle speed over the
preset limit allowed by the active park assist system. Refer toActive
park assistin theDrivingchapter for more information.
CANCELLED BY DRIVER INPUT (if equipped)— Displayed when
the autopark feature has been canceled due to driver inputs. SeeActive
park assistin theDrivingchapter for more information.
CANCELLED BY ADV TRAC EVENT (if equipped)— Displayed
when the active park feature has been canceled due to the AdvanceTrac
system activating. Refer toActive park assistin theDrivingchapter for
more information.
CANCELLED BY ABS EVENT (if equipped)— Displayed when the
active park feature has been canceled due to the ABS system activating.
Refer toActive park assistin theDrivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK SEARCHING (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
SPACE FOUND PULL FORWARD (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
SPACE FOUND STOP (if equipped)— May display when using the
active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin theDrivingchapter
for more information.
PULL FORWARD USE CAUTION (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
BACK UP SLOWLY USE CAUTION (if equipped)— May display
when using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
BACK UP USE CAUTION (if equipped)— May display when using
the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin theDriving
chapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
27
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ACTIVE PARK FINISHED (if equipped)— May display when using
the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin theDriving
chapter for more information.
REMOVE HANDS PUT IN REVERSE (if equipped)— May display
when using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK NOT AVAILABLE (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK DEACTIVATED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
active park feature has been turned off. Refer toActive park assistin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
28
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Use the grade assist feature (automatic transmissions) when towing.
This feature provides engine braking and helps eliminate excessive
shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer toSpecial operating conditionsin the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidechapter.
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)
(automatic transmission) or neutral (manual transmissions).
•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.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
203
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 3 (on) without
turning the key to 4 (start). If there
is difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel until the
key turns freely. This condition may
occur when:
•the front wheels are turned.
•a front wheel is against the curb.
2. Turn the key to 4 (start), then
release the key as soon as the
engine begins cranking. Your vehicle has a computer assisted cranking
system that assists in starting the engine. After releasing the key from
the 4 (start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to
10 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
Note:Cranking may be stopped at any time by turning the key to the off
position.
3. After idling for a few seconds, release the parking brake, apply the
brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the key to the off
position, wait 10 seconds and try Step 2 again. If the engine still fails to
start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 2 again, keeping the
accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
The starting characteristics of all grades of E
85ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline). If
summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the engine is
cold when operating on E
85ethanol.
Driving
209
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
3. Turn the ignition off.
WARNING:Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the reverse sensing system as
contained in this section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat
surface at “parking speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the
function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false
activation.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, always use caution
when in reverse and when using the RSS.
WARNING:This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a
warning to assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to
avoid damaging the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller
objects, particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING:Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
Driving
227
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st 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
229
2011 Escape(204)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)