2013 FORD ESCAPE warning

Payload - is the combined weight of cargo
and passengers that the vehicle is carrying.
The maximum payload for your vehicle can
be found on the Tire Label on the B-Pillar
or the edge of the driver’s door (vehicles
exported outside the US and Canada may
not have a Tire Label). Look for “THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS
AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED
XXX kg OR XXX lb. ” for maximum
payload. The payload listed on the Tire
Label is the maximum payload for the
vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If
any aftermarket or authorized-dealer
installed equipment has been installed on
the vehicle, the weight of the equipment
must be subtracted from the payload
listed on the Tire Label in order to
determine the new payload.WARNING
The appropriate loading capacity of
your vehicle can be limited either by
volume capacity (how much space
is available) or by payload capacity (how
much weight the vehicle should carry).
Once you have reached the maximum
payload of your vehicle, do not add more
cargo, even if there is space available.
Overloading or improperly loading your
vehicle can contribute to loss of vehicle
control and vehicle rollover.
Example only:
180
Load Carrying
E142516

WARNING
Exceeding the Safety Compliance
Certification Label vehicle weight
rating limits could result in
substandard vehicle handling or
performance, engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight) - is the
weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus
the weight of the fully loaded trailer
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) -is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer
-including all cargo and passengers - that
the vehicle can handle without risking
damage. (Important: The towing vehicle ’s
braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR.) Separate functional
brakes should be used for safe control of
towed vehicles and for trailers where the
GCW of the towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight - is the
highest possible weight of a fully loaded
trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with only mandatory options, no
cargo (internal or external), a tongue load
of 10– 15% (conventional trailer) or king
pin weight of 15– 25% (fifth wheel trailer),
and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]). Consult
your authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide provided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed
information. Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin
Weight - refers to the amount of the
weight that a trailer pushes down on a
trailer hitch.
Examples: For a 5000 lb. (2268 kg)
conventional trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10
and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load
range of 500 to 750 lb. (227 to 340 kg).
For an 11500 lb. (5216 kg) fifth wheel
trailer, multiply by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain
a proper king pin load range of 1725 to 2875
lb. (782 to 1304 kg).
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower load carrying capacities than
the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle ’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating
limitation could result in serious
damage to the vehicle and/or
personal injury.
184
Load Carrying
E142526

Special Loading Instructions for
Owners of Pick-up Trucks and
Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING
Loaded vehicles 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.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and
people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement
of the load, hauling cargo and people may
raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
187
Load Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the certification
label.
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.
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated
by weight, not by volume, so you cannot
necessarily use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load
on your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after,
any towing operation.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF
EQUIPPED)
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it once it begins. Note:
This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too
high, the system may activate multiple
times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies the vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the stability control light flashes. The first
thing to do is slow the vehicle down, then
pull safely to the side of the road and
check for proper tongue load and trailer
load distribution. See Load Carrying
(page 177).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: For high altitude operation, reduce
the gross combined weight by 2% per 1000
feet (300 meters) elevation.
Note: Certain states require electric trailer
brakes for trailers over a specified weight.
Be sure to check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum trailer
weights listed may be limited to this
specified weight, as the vehicle's electrical
system does not include the wiring
connector needed to activate electric trailer
brakes.
Maximum Trailer
Frontal Area - ft 2
(m 2
)
Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
Powertrain
20 (1.86)
2000 (907)
5866 (2661)
2WD 1.6L
20 (1.86)
2000 (907)
6035 (2737)
4WD 1.6L
20 (1.86)
2000 (907)
5977 (2711)
2WD 2.0L 1
30 (2.78)
3500 (1588)
7477 (3391)
2WD 2.0L 2
20 (1.86)
2000 (907)
6126 (2779)
4WD 2.0L 1
188
Towing

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe
towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle
has been driven at least 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• Refer to the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance information.
Load specification terms are found on the
tire label and Safety Compliance
Certification Label. Instructions on
calculating your vehicle's load can be
found earlier in this manual. See Load
Limit (page 179). Remember to account
for the trailer tongue weight as part of the
vehicle load when calculating the total
vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
vehicle's hook retainers. To connect the
safety chains, cross them under the trailer
tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the rental
agency's instructions. Trailer Brakes
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.
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.
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. Ensure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working. Contact your authorized dealer
or trailer rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for hooking up
the lamps.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing-up
to get the feel of the vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
190
Towing

If driving through deep or standing water
is unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never
drive through water that is higher than the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or
brake capability may be limited. Also,
water may enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine or your
vehicle may stall.
FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well of your
vehicle. Only use floor mats that
leave the pedal area unobstructed. Only
use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out
of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in
other ways.
Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury.
Always make sure that the floor
mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are
supplied with your vehicle. Floor mats must
be properly secured to both retention posts
to ensure mats do not shift out of position.
Never place floor mats or any other
covering in the vehicle foot well that
cannot be properly secured to
prevent them from moving and interfering
with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
Never place floor mats or any other
covering on top of already installed
floor mats. Floor mats should always
rest on top of vehicle carpeting surface and
not another floor mat or other covering.
Additional floor mats or any other covering
will reduce the pedal clearance and
potentially interfere with pedal operation.
Check attachment of floor mats on
a regular basis. Always properly
reinstall and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning or
replacement.
Always make sure that objects
cannot fall into the driver foot well
while the vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped under
the pedals causing a loss of vehicle control.
195
Driving Hints
E142667
E142666

WARNINGS
Failure to properly follow floor mat
installation or attachment
instructions can potentially cause
interference with pedal operation causing
loss of control of vehicle.
To install floor mats, position the
floor mat so that the eyelet is over
the retention post and press down
to lock in.
To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.
196
Driving Hints

Canadian customers who need to obtain
roadside information, call
1-800-665-2006 or visit our website at
www.ford.ca.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
Note:With extended use, the flashers may
run down your battery.
The hazard flasher control is
located on the instrument panel
by the radio. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety
hazard for other motorists.
• Press the flasher control and all front
and rear direction signals will flash.
• Press the flasher control again to turn
them off.
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
WARNING
Failure to inspect and if necessary
repair fuel leaks after a collision may
increase the risk of fire and serious
injury. Ford Motor Company recommends
that the fuel system be inspected by an
authorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severe
collision, this vehicle is equipped with a
fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the
flow of fuel to the engine. Not every impact
will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a
collision, you may restart your vehicle by
doing the following:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to re-enable fuel pump. Note:
If your vehicle has the push button
start system, press the stop/start button
twice to reactivate the fuel system.
JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNINGS
The gases around the battery can
explode if exposed to flames, sparks,
or lit cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which
can burn skin, eyes and clothing, if
contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your
automatic transmission vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start
capability. Attempting to push-start a
vehicle with an automatic transmission
may cause transmission damage.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note: Use only a 12-volt supply to start your
vehicle.
Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle's electrical system.
1. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle making
sure the two vehicles do not touch. Set
the parking brake on both vehicles and
stay clear of the engine cooling fan and
other moving parts.
2. Check all battery terminals and remove
any excessive corrosion before you
attach the battery cables. Ensure that
vent caps are tight and level.
3. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles
to protect from any electrical surges.
Turn all other accessories off.
198
Roadside Emergencies