2013 FORD ESCAPE service

Easy Fuel® No Cap Fuel System
WARNING
The fuel system may be under
pressure. If you hear a hissing sound
near the fuel filler door, do not refuel
until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious
personal injury.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the fuel filler door.
3. Slowly insert the fuel filler nozzle fully into the fuel system, and leave the
nozzle fully inserted until you are done
pumping.
4. After you are done pumping fuel, slowly
remove the fuel filler nozzle. Allow
about ten seconds after pumping fuel
before removing the fuel filler nozzle.
This allows residual fuel to drain back
into the fuel tank and not spill onto the
vehicle.
Note: A fuel spillage concern may occur if
overfilling the fuel tank. Do not overfill the
tank to the point that the fuel is able to
bypass the fuel filler nozzle. The overfilled
fuel may run down the drain located below
and in front of the fuel filler door.
If the fuel fill inlet was not properly closed,
a Check fuel fill inlet message may appear
on the instrument cluster. See Warning
Lamps and Indicators (page 80).
At the next opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Open the fuel filler door and remove any visible debris from the fuel fill
opening. 4. Insert either the fuel fill nozzle or the
fuel fill funnel provided with the vehicle
several times to dislodge any debris
and allow the inlet to close properly.
If this action corrects the problem, the
message may not reset immediately. It
may take several driving cycles for the
message to turn off. A driving cycle
consists of an engine start-up (after four
or more hours with the engine off) followed
by city or highway driving. Continuing to
drive with the message on may cause the
service engine soon lamp to turn on as
well.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNINGS
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle
in dry grass or other dry ground cover.
The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system,
which can start a fire.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes
into the passenger compartment. If
you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with various
emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your
vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust
emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission
control components continue to work
properly:
To make sure that the catalytic converter
and other emission control components
continue to work properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
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Fuel and Refueling

•Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high
speeds.
• Have the items listed in scheduled
maintenance information performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed
in scheduled maintenance information are
essential to the life and performance of
your vehicle and to its emissions system
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service
of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent
to genuine Ford Motor Company parts in
performance and durability.
Illumination of the service engine soon
indicator, charging system warning light or
the temperature warning light, fluid leaks,
strange odors, smoke or loss of engine
power could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged
exhaust system may allow exhaust to
enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or
improperly operating exhaust system
inspected and repaired immediately.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to
your vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle
owners and anyone who manufactures,
repairs, services, sells, leases, trades
vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles
are not permitted to intentionally remove
an emission control device or prevent it
from working. Information about your
vehicle ’s emission system is on the Vehicle
Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal
also lists engine displacement
Please consult your Warranty Guide for
complete emission warranty information On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer
that monitors the engine
’s emission control
system. This system is commonly known
as the on-board diagnostics system
(OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government emission
standards. The OBD-II system also assists
your authorized dealer in properly servicing
your vehicle.
When the service engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II
system has detected a
malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may
cause the service engine soon indicator to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel —the
engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel —the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. See Refueling (page
142).
4. Driving through deep water —the
electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be
corrected by filling the fuel tank with good
quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill
inlet or letting the electrical system dry out.
After three driving cycles without these or
any other temporary malfunctions present,
the service engine soon indicator should
stay off the next time the engine is started.
A driving cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is
required.
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Fuel and Refueling

If the service engine soon indicator remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some
malfunctions detected by the OBD-II may
not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine
soon indicator on can result in increased
emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced
engine and transmission smoothness, and
lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
Testing
Some state/provincial and local
governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs
to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting
a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb does
not work, the vehicle may need
to be serviced. See On-Board Diagnostics.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if
the service engine soon indicator is on or
not working properly (bulb is burned out),
or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this
case, the vehicle is considered not ready
for I/M testing. If the vehicle
’s engine or transmission has
just been serviced, or the battery has
recently run down or been replaced, the
OBD-II system may indicate that the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To
determine if the vehicle is ready for I/M
testing, turn the ignition key to the on
position for 15 seconds without cranking
the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that
the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing; if
the service engine soon indicator stays on
solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for
I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check
the emission control system during normal
driving. A complete check may take several
days. If the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing, the following driving cycle
consisting of mixed city and highway
driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an
expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at
least four 30-second idle periods
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight
hours without starting the engine. Then,
start the engine and complete the above
driving cycle. The engine must warm up to
its normal operating temperature. Once
started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete. If the
vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the
above driving cycle will have to be
repeated.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Note: The amount of usable fuel in the
empty reserve varies and should not be
relied upon to increase driving range. When
refueling your vehicle after the fuel gauge
indicates empty, you might not be able to
refuel the full amount of the advertised
capacity of the fuel tank due to the empty
reserve still present in the tank.
145
Fuel and Refueling

USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
Note:The 4WD temporarily disabled
message will be displayed if the 4WD
system has overheated and defaulted to
front-wheel drive. This condition may occur
if the vehicle is operated in extreme high
load conditions or with excessive wheel slip,
such as deep sand. To resume normal 4WD
function as soon as possible, stop the
vehicle in a safe location and turn off the
engine. The 4WD restored message will be
displayed for approximately five seconds
after the system cools and normal 4WD
function returns.
Note: The Intelligent 4WD system gives
your vehicle some limited off-road
capabilities. Operating your vehicle in
conditions other than moderate sand, snow,
mud or rough roads could subject it to
excessive stress which might result in
damage. This damage is not covered under
your warranty.
Note: When a 4WD system fault is present,
the warning 4WD malfunction Service
required will display in the information
display. The 4WD system is not functioning
correctly and defaulted to front-wheel drive.
When this warning is displayed, have your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
You will be able to see the power
distribution between the front and rear
wheels represented by an icon in your
information display. More power to either
front or rear wheels will be displayed by
more area filled in. Your vehicle may be equipped with a
full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) system.
The 4WD system is a proactive system,
meaning it not only responds to wheel slip
between the front and rear wheels but also
has the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the rear wheels before
slip occurs. Even when no wheel slip is
present, the Intelligent 4WD system is
continuously making adjustments to the
torque distribution, in an attempt to
improve the vehicle
’s straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system is active all the time and
requires no input from the operator.
All components of the Intelligent 4WD
system are sealed for life and require no
maintenance.
If your vehicle is equipped with Intelligent
4WD, a spare tire of a different size other
than the tire provided should never be
used. If the spare tire is installed, the 4WD
system may disable automatically and
enter front-wheel drive only mode to
protect driveline components. This
condition may be indicated by a 4WD Off
message in the Information displays
chapter. See Information displays in the
Instrument Cluster chapter for more
information. If there is a 4WD Off message
in the information display from using the
spare tire, this indicator should turn off
after reinstalling the repaired or replaced
normal road tire and driving a short
distance. It is recommended to reinstall
the repaired or replaced road tire as soon
as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes
between the front and rear axles could
cause the 4WD system to stop functioning
and default to front-wheel drive or damage
the 4WD system.
151
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Note:Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission. If the front or rear
axle is submerged in water, the axle
lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant
should be checked and changed if
necessary.
“Tread Lightly ” is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nations wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and
the Bureau of Land Management in
encouraging you to help preserve our
national forest and other public and private
lands by “treading lightly ”.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.
Note: Note: Avoid driving crosswise or
turning on steep slopes or hills. A danger lies
in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a
hill, determine beforehand the route you will
use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill
without seeing what conditions are on the
other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling. If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”
the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
WARNING
If you are driving in slippery
conditions that require tire chains or
cables, then it is critical that you drive
cautiously. Keep speeds down, allow for
longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances
of a loss of vehicle control which can lead
to serious injury or death. If the rear end of
the vehicle slides while cornering, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain
control of the vehicle.
154
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
E143950
E143949

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out and should
be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an
authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 240).
See Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 80).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Turn the engine off, shift to position
P and apply the parking brake, and then
inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interferences. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer. Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you
brake heavily by measuring the rate at
which you press the brake pedal. It
provides maximum braking efficiency as
long as you press the pedal. Emergency
brake assist can reduce stopping distances
in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking.
This lamp momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the anti-lock braking system may
be disabled and may need to be serviced.
If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the
brake warning lamp illuminates
with the parking brake released, have your
brake system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.
The ABS will not eliminate the risks when:
• you drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you
• your vehicle is hydroplaning
• you take corners too fast
• the road surface is poor.
156
Brakes
E138644
E138644

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations (e.g. stuck in snow or
mud), turning the traction control off may
be beneficial as this allows the wheels to
spin with full engine power. Turn off the
traction control system using the
information display control. See General
Information (page 84).
System Indicator Lights and
Messages
WARNING
If a failure has been detected within
the AdvanceTrac system, the
stability control light will illuminate
steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac
system was not manually disabled using
the information display control. If the
stability control light still illuminates
steadily, have the system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately. Operating
your vehicle with AdvanceTrac disabled
could lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
The stability control light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and flashes
when a driving condition activates the
stability system.
The stability control off light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and stays on
when the traction control system is turned
off.
When the traction control system is turned
off or on, a message appears in the
information display showing system status.
158
Traction Control
E138639

•Any door (except the driver ’s) opens.
• Something touches the steering wheel. If a problem occurs with the system, a
warning message is displayed, followed
by a chime. Occasional system messages
may occur in normal operation. For
recurring or frequent system faults, contact
an authorized dealer to have your vehicle
serviced.
Troubleshooting the System
The system does not look for a space
The traction control system may be off
Any door (except the driver ’s) may not be completely closed
The system does not offer a particular space
Something may be contacting the front bumper or side sensors
There is not enough room on both sides of the vehicle in order to park
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite side of the parking
space
The vehicle is farther than 5 ft (1.5 m) from the parking space
The vehicle is closer than 16 in. (40 cm) from neighboring parked vehicles
The transmission is in R (Reverse); the vehicle must be moving forward to detect a
parking space
The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (i.e. rolling forward
when R [Reverse] is selected)
The transmission is in R (Reverse); the vehicle must be moving forward to detect a
parking space
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from aligning the vehicle
properly
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned correctly
The vehicle was pulled too far past the parking space. The system performs best when
you drive the same distance past the parking space
166
Parking Aids