CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full functionality
of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage to
the TPMS sensors, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road
tire as soon as possible. During repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have
the authorized dealer inspect the TPMS sensor for damage.
WARNING:The use of tire sealants may damage your tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and should not be used.
However, if you must use a sealant, the TPMS sensor and valve stem
on the wheel must be replaced by an authorized Ford dealer.
WARNING:Refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important
information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it
will no longer function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
Roadside Emergencies
258
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
If equipped with a tether, perform the following additional steps:
4. Lift the spare tire on end to
access tether attachment (1).
5. Use the lug wrench to remove the
lug nut from the spare tire tether.
6. If not replacing the spare or flat
tire to the underbody storage area,
raise winch up into the installed
position.
7. Use the attached fastener strap
(2) to tie the tether end to the
winch actuator shaft (if equipped).
Roadside Emergencies
262
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Never use the differentials as a
jacking point.
WARNING:To lessen the
risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body
under the vehicle while changing a
tire. Do not start the engine when
your vehicle is on the jack. The
jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
5. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub.
Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
6. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
7. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
Refer toWheel lug nut torque
specificationslater in this chapter
for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
Stowing the jack and tools
Make sure the jack is fully lowered
and reclip the tools onto the jack.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside Emergencies
266
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Reinstall the jack and tools in the cargo area. To replace the jack in the
vehicle,
•guide the jack bottom first in the
trim opening and position in the
bracket (3),
•secure the retention clip on the
upper part of the jack (2), and
•close the thumbscrew (1).
Make sure the jack is fastened so it
does not rattle when you drive.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
Note:Failure to follow spare tire stowage instructions may result in
failure of cable or loss of spare tire.
If you are stowing a tire that requires reattaching it to the
vehicle with a tether, perform these steps first, then proceed with
the steps following.
1. Place tire on end with valve stem
facing rearward, away from vehicle.
2. Place tether into bolt holes in
wheel and attach lug nut using lug
wrench.
Roadside Emergencies
267
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
3. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing down. If your
vehicle is equipped with aluminum wheels, remove the wheel ornament.
4. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the center of the wheel.
5. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly as the tire contacts the frame. The spare tire
carrier will ratchet when the tire is in the fully stowed position. The
spare tire carrier has a built-in ratchet feature that will not allow you to
overtighten. If the spare tire carrier ratchets with very little effort, take
the vehicle to your authorized dealer for assistance at your earliest
convenience.If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer hitch, guide
the tire with one hand; keep the rear of the tire tilted down until
the tire clears the bumper.
6. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame assembly. Push against
the tire to make sure it is tightly seated under the vehicle. Loosen and
retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the spare tire may result
in failure of the winch cable and loss of the spare tire.(Make sure that
the tire does not contact the bumper.)
7. Repeat this tightness check procedure (every six months, per
scheduled maintenance information),when servicing the spare tire
pressure or at any time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of
other components.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
ft-lb N•m
M12 x 1.5 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
Roadside Emergencies
268
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Since it is able to operate in electric mode and to collect braking energy,
your hybrid vehicle may get better fuel economy in city driving than on
the highway. This is contrary to conventional vehicles. However, many of
the same actions that improve fuel economy in a conventional vehicle
will also improve fuel economy in this vehicle.
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to
improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Avoid aggressive driving. Quick acceleration and deceleration decrease
fuel economy.
•Drive at a smooth, constant speed. Excessive variation in pedal input
causes more operating mode changes and reduces efficiency.
•Drive at reasonable speeds. Traveling at 60 mph (96 km/h) uses
approximately 20% less fuel than traveling at 70 mph (113 km/h).
•Minimize A/C and defroster usage. Your vehicle is equipped with an
electric A/C system, which can provide cooling for passenger comfort
or defrost without running the engine. However, the A/C system uses
battery energy when the engine is off, which reduces fuel economy.
Using Auto mode, minimizing use of defrost and Max A/C, and
choosing a higher temperature setting when cooling can help reduce
energy usage. See theClimate Controlchapter for more information.
•Minimize temperature extremes when the vehicle is parked, for
example by storing in a garage to avoid extreme cold in winter and
extreme sun loads in summer. The high voltage battery operates more
efficiently in moderate temperatures, and less energy will be spent
returning the passenger compartment to a comfortable temperature.
•Combine errands. Your vehicle is more fuel efficient when the engine
is warm. Driving to your farthest destination first will warm the engine
more quickly and may improve fuel economy for the rest of the trip.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Keep wheels properly aligned.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Maintenance and Specifications
315
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
FORD ESP EXTENDED SERVICE PLANS (U.S. ONLY)
More than 30 million Ford and Lincoln owners have discovered the
powerful protection of Ford ESP. It is the only extended service plan
backed by Ford Motor Company, and provides “peace of mind”
protection beyond the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage.
Up to 500+ Covered Vehicle Components
There are four, new-vehicle Extended Service Plans with different levels
of coverage. Ask your dealer for details.
PremiumCare –Our most comprehensive coverage. With over 500
covered components, this plan is so complete that we generally only
discuss what’s not covered!
ExtraCare –Covers 113 components, and includes many high-tech
items.
BaseCare –Covers 84 components.
PowertrainCare –Covers 29 critical components.
Ford ESP is honored by all Ford and Lincoln Dealers in the U.S.
and CanadaIt’s the only extended service plan authorized and backed
by Ford Motor Company. That means you get:
•Reliable, quality service anywhere you go.
•Factory-trained technicians.
•Genuine Ford and MotorcraftParts.
Rental car reimbursement
If your vehicle is kept overnight for covered repairs,you are
eligible for rental car coverage, including Bumper-to-Bumper warranty
repairs, or manufacturer’s recalls.
Transferable coverage
If you sell your vehicle before your Ford ESP coverage expires, you can
transfer any remaining coverage to the new owner. Whenever you’re
ready to sell your car, prospective buyers may feel better about taking a
risk on your used vehicle. Ford ESP may add resale value!
Plus,exclusive 24/7 roadside assistance,including:
•Towing, flat-tire change and battery jump starts.
•Out-of-fuel and lock-out assistance.
•Travel expense reimbursement for lodging, meals and rental car.
•Destination assistance for taxi, shuttle, rental car coverage and
emergency transportation.
Ford Extended Service Plan
332
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Starting your vehicle ........211–213
jump starting ..........................270
Steering wheel
controls ......................................83
tilting .........................................72
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................36
SYNC..........................................53
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................72
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....194
Tires ...........................179–181, 258
alignment ................................188
care ..........................................184
changing ..................258, 260, 263
checking the pressure ............184
inflating ...................................182
label .........................................193
replacing ..................................185
rotating ....................................188
safety practices .......................187
sidewall information ...............189
snow tires and chains ............198
spare tire .........................258, 260
terminology .............................181
tire grades ...............................180
treadwear ........................180, 184
Towing .......................................206
recreational towing .................210
trailer towing ..........................206
wrecker ....................................273Transmission .............................227
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....226
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................319
fluid, refill capacities ..............324
lubricant specifications ..........324
Turn signal ..................................63
U
Universal garage door opener ....86
USB port ......................................47
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................328
Vehicle loading ..........................199
Ventilating your vehicle ...........214
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......20
Washer fluid ..............................294
Water, Driving through .............245
Windows
power .........................................78
rear wiper/washer .....................72
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................71
checking and adding fluid .....294
liftgate reservoir .....................294
replacing wiper blades ...295–296
Wrecker towing .........................273
Index
358
2012 Escape Hybrid(ehv)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)