2013 FORD ESCAPE service

Reasons for messages being displayedClean the fascia area in
front of the radar or remove the obstruction.
The radar
surface is dirty or
obstructed
Drive normally in traffic for
a few minutes to allow the radar to detect passing
vehicles so it can clear the blocked state.
The radar
surface is
not dirty or
obstructed
No action required. Thesystem automatically
resets to an unblocked
state once the rainfall or
snowfall rate decreases or stops. Do not use BLIS or
cross traffic alert in these conditions.
Heavy rain-
fall/snow- fall inter-
feres with the radar signals
System Limitations
The BLIS and cross traffic alert systems
do have their limitations; situations such
as severe weather conditions or debris
build-up on the sensor area may limit
vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that may
limit the BLIS:
• Certain maneuvering of vehicles
entering and exiting the blind zone.
• Vehicles passing through the blind zone
at very fast rates.
• When several vehicles forming a
convoy pass through the blind zone.
The following are other situations that may
limit the cross traffic alert system:
• Adjacently parked vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.
• Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h). •
Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5
km/h).
• Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note: If the vehicle has a factory equipped
tow bar, and it is towing a trailer, the sensors
will detect the trailer and turn the BLIS off
to avoid false alerts. For non-factory
equipped tow bars you may want to turn
the BLIS off manually.
There may be certain instances when
either the BLIS or cross traffic alert
systems illuminate the alert indicator with
no vehicle in the coverage zone; this is
known as a false alert. Some amount of
false alerts are normal; they are temporary
and self-correct.
System Errors
If either system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the BLIS telltale
illuminates and remains on and the
following will appear in the information
display:
• BLIS: X sensor fault Service req’ d or
• Cross Traffic malfunction Service req’ d
When problems that may cause the left or
right indicator not to illuminate, only the
information display faults appear.
Switching the Systems Off and On
One or both systems can be switched off
temporarily by using the information
display control. See General Information
(page 84). When the BLIS is switched off,
you will not receive alerts and a telltale
illuminates in the information display. The
system switches back on whenever the
ignition is switched on.
174
Driving Aids

STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNINGS
The electric power steering system
has diagnostic checks that
continuously monitor the system to
ensure proper operation. When a system
error is detected a steering message will
appear in the information display.
The electric power steering system
has diagnostic checks that
continuously monitor the system to
ensure proper operation of the electronic
system. When an electronic error is
detected, a message will be displayed in
the information display. If this happens,
stop the vehicle in a safe place, and turn
off the engine. After at least 10 seconds,
reset the system by restarting the engine,
and watch the information display for a
steering message. If a steering message
returns, or returns while driving, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it checked.
Obtain immediate service if a system
error is detected. You may not notice
any difference in the feel of your
steering, but a serious condition may exist.
Failure to do so may result in loss of
steering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric
power-assisted steering system. There is
no fluid reservoir to check or fill. If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving (or if the ignition is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually,
but it takes more effort. Extreme
continuous steering may increase the effort
it takes for you to steer. This occurs to
prevent internal overheating and
permanent damage to your steering
system. If this should occur, you will neither
lose the ability to steer the vehicle
manually nor will it cause permanent
damage. Typical steering and driving
maneuvers will allow the system to cool
and steering assist will return to normal.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•
an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper vehicle alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds
may also make the steering seem to
wander or pull.
176
Driving Aids

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

TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE
If you need to have your vehicle towed,
contact a professional towing service or,
if you are a member of a roadside
assistance program, your roadside
assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or
flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a
slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing
manual for all authorized tow truck
operators. Have your tow truck operator
refer to this manual for proper hook-up
and towing procedures for your vehicle.Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be
towed from the front if proper wheel lift
equipment is used to raise the front wheels
off the ground. The rear wheels can be left
on the ground when towed in this fashion.
FWD vehicles can also be towed from the
rear using wheel lift equipment; however,
it is required that the front wheels be
placed on a dolly to prevent damage to
the transmission.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles must be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or
flatbed equipment, with all the wheels off
the ground, to prevent damage to the
transmission, 4WD system or vehicle. If the
vehicle is towed by other means or
incorrectly, vehicle damage may occur.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheels
on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration)
under the following conditions:
•
The vehicle is facing forward so that it
is towed in a forward direction.
• The transmission gear shift lever is
placed in position N. If The
transmission is gear shift lever cannot
be moved to position N, it may need to
be overridden. See Transmission
(page 147).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80
kilometers).
192
Towing
E143886

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Vehicles Sold In The U.S.: Getting
Roadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a
vehicle concern Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. The service is available:
•24-hours, seven days a week.
• for the coverage period listed on the
Roadside Assistance Card included in
your Owner's Manual portfolio.
Roadside assistance will cover:
• a flat tire change with a good spare
(except vehicles that have been
supplied with a tire inflation kit).
• battery jump start.
• lock-out assistance (key replacement
cost is the customer's responsibility).
• fuel delivery — Independent Service
Contractors, if not prohibited by state,
local or municipal law shall deliver up
to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of gasoline or 5.0
gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a
disabled vehicle. Fuel delivery service
is limited to two no-charge occurrences
within a 12-month period.
• winch out — available within 100 feet
(30.5 meters) of a paved or county
maintained road, no recoveries.
• towing — Ford and Lincoln eligible
vehicles towed to an authorized dealer
within 35 miles (56 km) of the
disablement location or to the nearest
authorized dealer. If a member
requests to be towed to an authorized
dealer more than 35 miles (56 km)
from the disablement location, the
member shall be responsible for any
mileage costs in excess of 35 miles (56
km). Trailers shall be covered up to $200 if the
disabled eligible vehicle requires service at
the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer
is disabled, but the towing vehicle is
operational, the trailer does not qualify for
any roadside services.
Vehicles Sold In The U.S. : Using
Roadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. This card is
found in the owner's information portfolio
in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford vehicle customers who require
Roadside Assistance, call 1-800-241-3673.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance
for yourself, Ford Motor Company will
reimburse a reasonable amount for towing
to the nearest dealership within 35 miles
(56 km). To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford vehicle customers
call 1-800-241-3673. Customers will be
asked to submit their original receipts.
Vehicles Sold In Canada : Getting
Roadside Assistance
Canadian customers who require roadside
assistance, call 1-800-665-2006.
Vehicles Sold In Canada : Using
Roadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In Canada, the
card is found in the Warranty Guide in the
glove box.
Canadian Roadside coverage and benefits
may differ from the U.S. coverage. Please
refer to your Warranty Guide or visit our
website at www.ford.ca for information on
Canadian services and benefits.
197
Roadside Emergencies

GETTING THE SERVICES YOU
NEED
Warranty repairs to your vehicle must be
performed by an authorized dealer. While
any authorized dealer handling your vehicle
line will provide warranty service, we
recommend you return to your selling
authorized dealer who wants to ensure
your continued satisfaction.
Please note that certain warranty repairs
require special training and equipment, so
not all authorized dealers are authorized
to perform all warranty repairs. This means
that, depending on the warranty repair
needed, you may have to take your vehicle
to another authorized dealer.
A reasonable time must be allowed to
perform a repair after taking your vehicle
to the authorized dealer. Repairs will be
made using Ford or Motorcraft® parts, or
remanufactured or other parts that are
authorized by Ford.
Away From Home
If you are away from home when your
vehicle needs service, contact the Ford
Customer Relationship Center or use the
online resources listed below to find the
nearest authorized dealer.
In the United States:
Mailing address
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48121
Telephone
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)
(TDD for the hearing impaired:
1-800-232-5952)
Online
Additional information and resources are
available online at www.fordowner.comThese are some of the items that can be
found online:
•
U.S. dealer locator by Dealer Name,
City/State, or Zip Code
• Owner Manuals
• Maintenance Schedules
• Recalls
• Ford Extended Service Plans
• Ford Genuine Accessories
• Service specials and promotions.
In Canada:
Mailing address
Customer Relationship Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
Telephone
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
Online
www.ford.ca
Additional Assistance
If you have questions or concerns, or are
unsatisfied with the service you are
receiving, follow these steps:
1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your selling/servicing
authorized dealer.
2. If your inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the Sales Manager,
Service Manager or Customer Relations
Manager.
3. If you require assistance or clarification
on Ford Motor Company policies,
please contact the Ford Customer
Relationship Center.
201
Customer Assistance

In order to help you serve you better,
please have the following information
available when contacting a Customer
Relationship Center:
•Vehicle Identification Number.
• Your telephone number (home and
business).
• The name of the authorized dealer and
city where located.
• The vehicle ’s current odometer reading.
In some states, you must directly notify
Ford in writing before pursuing remedies
under your state ’s warranty laws. Ford is
also allowed a final repair attempt in some
states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute
must be submitted to the BBB AUTO LINE
before taking action under the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or to the
extent allowed by state law, before
pursuing replacement or repurchase
remedies provided by certain state laws.
This dispute handling procedure is not
required prior to enforcing state created
rights or other rights which are independent
of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or
state replacement or repurchase laws.
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d)
requires that, if a manufacturer or its
representative is unable to repair a motor
vehicle to conform to the vehicle ’s
applicable express warranty after a
reasonable number of attempts, the
manufacturer shall be required to either
replace the vehicle with one substantially
identical or repurchase the vehicle and
reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to
the actual price paid or payable by the
consumer (less a reasonable allowance
for consumer use). The consumer has the
right to choose whether to receive a refund
or replacement vehicle. California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b)
presumes that the manufacturer has had
a reasonable number of attempts to
conform the vehicle to its applicable
express warranties if, within the first 18
months of ownership of a new vehicle or
the first 18000 miles (29 000 km),
whichever occurs first:
1.
Two or more repair attempts are made
on the same non-conformity likely to
cause death or serious bodily injury OR
2. Four or more repair attempts are made
on the same nonconformity (a defect
or condition that substantially impairs
the use, value or safety of the vehicle)
OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of nonconformities for a total of more
than 30 calendar days (not necessarily
all at one time).
In the case of 1 or 2 above, the consumer
must also notify the manufacturer of the
need for the repair of the nonconformity
at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Mail Drop 3NE-B
Dearborn, MI 48126
You are required to submit your warranty
dispute to BBB AUTO LINE before asserting
in court any rights or remedies conferred
by California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b).
You are also required to use BBB AUTO
LINE before exercising rights or seeking
remedies created by the Federal
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C.
sec. 2301 et seq. If you choose to seek
redress by pursuing rights and remedies
not created by California Civil Code Section
1793.22(b) or the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, resort to BBB AUTO LINE is
not required by those statutes.
202
Customer Assistance

THE BETTER BUSINESS
BUREAU (BBB) AUTO LINE
PROGRAM (U.S. ONLY)
Your satisfaction is important to Ford
Motor Company and to your dealer. If a
warranty concern has not been resolved
using the three-step procedure outlined
earlier in this chapter in the Getting the
Services you need section, you may be
eligible to participate in the BBB AUTO
LINE program.
The BBB AUTO LINE program consists of
two parts – mediation and arbitration.
During mediation, a representative of the
BBB will contact both you and Ford Motor
Company to explore options for settlement
of the claim. If an agreement is not reached
during mediation or you do not want to
participate in mediation, and if your claim
is eligible, you may participate in the
arbitration process. An arbitration hearing
will be scheduled so that you can present
your case in an informal setting before an
impartial person. The arbitrator will
consider the testimony provided and make
a decision after the hearing.
Disputes submitted to the BBB AUTO LINE
program are usually decided within forty
days after you file your claim with the BBB.
You are not bound by the decision, and
may reject the decision and proceed to
court where all findings of the BBB Auto
Line dispute, and decision, are admissible
in the court action. Should you choose to
accept the BBB AUTO LINE decision, Ford
is then bound by the decision, and must
comply with the decision within 30 days
of receipt of your acceptance letter.BBB AUTO LINE Application: Using the
information provided below, please call or
write to request a program application.
You will be asked for your name and
address, general information about your
new vehicle, information about your
warranty concerns, and any steps you have
already taken to try to resolve them. A
Customer Claim Form will be mailed that
will need to be completed, signed and
returned to the BBB along with proof of
ownership. Upon receipt, the BBB will
review the claim for eligibility under the
Program Summary Guidelines.
You can get more information by
calling BBB AUTO LINE at
1-800-955-5100, or writing to:
BBB AUTO LINE
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1833
BBB AUTO LINE applications can also be
requested by calling the Ford Motor
Company Customer Relationship Center
at 1-800-392-3673.
Note:
Ford Motor Company reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations, modify
procedures, or to discontinue this process
at any time without notice and without
obligation.
UTILIZING THE
MEDIATION/ARBITRATION
PROGRAM (CANADA ONLY)
For vehicles delivered to authorized
Canadian dealers. In those cases where
you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford
of Canada and the authorized dealer to
resolve a factory-related vehicle service
concern have been unsatisfactory, Ford of
Canada participates in an impartial third
party mediation/arbitration program
administered by the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
203
Customer Assistance