2012 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID wheel

Heated outside mirrors(if equipped)
Both mirrors are heated
automatically to remove ice, mist
and fog when the rear window
defrost is activated.
Do not remove ice from the
mirrors with a scraper or
attempt to readjust the mirror
glass if it is frozen in place.
These actions could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
SPEED CONTROL
With speed control set, you can maintain a set speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal.
WARNING:Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Using speed control
The speed controls are located on the steering wheel. The following
buttons work with speed control:
OFF:Press to turn speed control
off.
ON:Press to turn speed control on.
SET +:Press to set a speed or
increase a set speed.
SET –:Press to decrease a set
speed.
RES (Resume):Press to resume a
set speed.
Setting speed control
To set speed control:
1. Press and release ON.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
Driver Controls
81
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Turning off speed control
To turn off the speed control, press OFF or turn off the ignition.
Note:When you turn off the speed control or the ignition, your speed
control set speed memory is erased.
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS
Radio control features
VOL + (Volume):Press to increase
the volume.
VOL – (Volume):Press to decrease
the volume.
(Seek):Press to select
the previous/next radio station
preset, CD track or satellite radio
channel (if equipped) depending on
which media mode you are in.
MEDIA:Press repeatedly to scroll
through available audio modes.
Navigation system hands-free
control features (if equipped)
Press and hold
control briefly
until the voice
icon appears on
the navigation display to use the
voice command feature.
Press
to complete a voice
command.
For further information on the
navigation system, refer to theNavigation Systemsupplement.
Driver Controls
83
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo shade (if equipped)
If your vehicle has a cargo shade, you can use it to cover items in the
cargo area of your vehicle.
To install the shade:
•Insert the ends of the cargo
shade into the mounting features
located behind the rear seat on
the rear trim panels.
To operate the shade:
1. Grasp the rear edge of the cargo
shade and pull rearward.
2. Secure both ends of the support
rod into the retention slots located
on the rear quarter trim panels.
WARNING:Ensure that the posts are properly latched in
mounting features. The cover may cause injury in a sudden stop
or accident if it is not securely installed.
WARNING:Do not place any objects on the cargo area shade.
They may obstruct your vision or strike occupants of vehicle in
the case of a sudden stop or collision.
ROOF RACK SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Loads should never be placed directly on the roof panel. For proper
function of the roof rack system, loads must be placed directly on
crossbars affixed to the roof rack side rails. Your vehicle may be
equipped with factory-installed crossbars. Ford Genuine Accessory
crossbars, designed specifically for your vehicle, are also recommended
for use with your roof rack system.
The vehicle’s roof panel isNOTdesigned to directly carry a load.The
maximum recommended load is 100 lb (45 kg), evenly distributed
on the crossbars.Ensure that the load is securely fastened. When the
rail system is loaded, check the tightness of the load, including the
thumbwheels before driving and at each fuel stop.
Driver Controls
94
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:When loading the roof rail crossbars, it is
recommended to evenly distribute the load, as well as maintain a
low center of gravity. Loaded vehicles, with higher centers of gravity,
may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such
as slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken
when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
To adjust the cross-bar (if equipped) position:
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide the cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
To remove the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) from the roof rack
side rails:
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide the cross-bar to the end of
the rail.
Driver Controls
95
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

3. Use a long, flat object to depress
the tongue in the endcaps on both
sides of the cross-bar.
4. Slide the cross-bar assembly off
the end of the rail.
Be sure to check that the thumbwheels are tight each time load is
added, or removed from the roof rack, and periodically while traveling.
Always ensure the load is secure before traveling.
Note:When the cross bars are installed and unloaded, noise can be
minimized by removing, or re-positioning the cross bars. Position the
forward cross bar rearward of the center of the roof rail system by 2.5 in
(63.5 mm) and space the second cross bar 2.5 in (63.5 mm) from the
forward cross bar.
To reinstall the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) to the roof rack
side rails:
1. Ensure that both cross-bar
assemblies are installed with the F
(front) arrow facing towards the
front of the vehicle.
2. Use a long, flat object to press
the tongue in the endcaps on both
sides of the cross-bar.
3. Slide the cross-bar assemblies
over the end cap tongue and into
the side rails.
4. Tighten thumbwheel at both ends
of the cross-bar.
Driver Controls
96
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study your owner’s guide and any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
177
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD system (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-wheel drive (4WD) system.
With the 4WD option, power will be delivered to the front wheels and
distributed to the rear wheels as needed. This increases traction which
may enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot. The 4WD system is active
all the time and requires no input from the operator.
For 4WD vehicles, a spare tire of a different size other than the tire
provided should never be used. A dissimilar spare tire size (other than
the spare tire provided) or major dissimilar tire sized between the front
and rear axles could cause the 4WD system to stop functioning and
default to front-wheel drive.
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD
vehicles. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate better than a
two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won’t stop any
faster than two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUVs and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
178
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Narrower — to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, SUVs and trucks often
will have a higher center of gravity
and a greater difference in center of
gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition.
These differences that make your
vehicle so versatile also make it
handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. The
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic passenger car tires. They do
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, light truck or “LT” type tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as
defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
179
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)