2014 FORD ESCAPE park assist

PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving in reverse on a flat surface at
parking speeds. Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, and external
motors and fans may also affect the
function of the sensing system; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation.
To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in R (Reverse) and
when using the sensing system.
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging the vehicle. The system may not
detect smaller objects, particularly those
close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps.
Note:Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms.Note:If your vehicle is equipped with
MyKey®, it is possible to prevent turning the
sensing system off. See MyKey™ (page
49).
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of the
bumper area. The system turns on
automatically whenever the ignition is
switched on.
When receiving a detection warning, the
radio volume is reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning
goes away, the radio volume returns to the
previous level.
Rear Sensing System
The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in R (Reverse). As the
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is fewer than 12 inches
(30 centimeters) away, the warning
sounds continuously. If a stationary or
receding object is detected farther than 12
inches (30 centimeters) from the side of
the vehicle, the tone sounds for only three
seconds. Once the system detects an
object approaching, the warning sounds
again.
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Parking Aids

For specific information on the reverse
sensing portion of the system, refer to that
section.
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Press the button to switch the system off.
It will remain off for the entire ignition
cycle. The system can also be switched off
through the information display.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF
EQUIPPED)
WARNING
This system is designed to be a
supplementary park aid. It may not
work in all conditions and is not
intended to replace the driver’s attention
and judgment. The driver is responsible for
avoiding hazards and maintaining a safe
distance and speed, even when the system
is in use.
Note:The driver is always responsible for
controlling the vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening if required.
The system detects an available parallel
parking space and automatically steers
the vehicle into the space (hands-free)
while you control the accelerator, gearshift
and brakes. The system visually and
audibly instructs you to park the vehicle.The system may not function correctly if
something passes between the front
bumper and the parking space (i.e. a
pedestrian or cyclist) or if the edge of the
neighboring parked vehicle is high from the
ground (i.e. a bus, tow truck or flatbed
truck).
Note:The sensors may not detect objects
in heavy rain or other conditions that cause
disruptive reflections.
Note:The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Note:After a tire change the system will go
through a relearning procedure. During this
time the system performance may
deteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
• a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer)
is attached to the front or rear of the
vehicle or at another location close to
the sensors.
• an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard)
is attached to the roof.
• the front bumper or side sensors are
damaged (i.e. in a collision) or
obstructed by a foreign object (i.e. front
bumper cover).
• a mini-spare tire is in use.
Using Active Park Assist
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Parking Aids

Press the button. The touch screen
displays a message and a corresponding
graphic to indicate it's searching for a
parking space. Use the turn signal to
indicate which side of the vehicle you wantthe system to search on.
Note:If the turn signal is not on, the system
automatically searches on the vehicle's
passenger side.
A
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When a suitable space is found, the touch
screen displays a message and a chime
sounds. Slow down and stop at
approximately position (A), then follow
the instructions on the touch screen.
Note:You must observe that the selected
space remains clear of obstructions at all
times in the maneuver.
Note:Vehicles with overhanging loads (e.g.
a bus or a truck), street furniture and other
items may not be detected by active park
assist. You must make sure the selected
space is suitable for parking.
Note:The vehicle should be driven as
parallel to other vehicles as possible while
passing a parking space.
Note:The system always offers the last
detected parking space (i.e. if the vehicle
detects multiple spaces while you are
driving, it offers the last one).
Note:If driven above approximately 20
mph (35 km/h), the touch screen shows a
message to alert you to reduce vehicle
speed.Automatic Steering into Parking
Space
Note:If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph (10
km/h), the system switches off and you
need to take full control of the vehicle.
Note:If a maneuver is interrupted before
completion, the system switches off. The
steering wheel position will not indicate the
actual position of the steering and you have
to full take control of the vehicle.
With your hands off the wheel (and
nothing obstructing its movement) and
the transmission in R (Reverse), the vehicle
steers itself as instructions to safely move
the vehicle back and forward in the space
are displayed in the touch screen. While
reversing, the touch screen displays a
message instructing you to check your
surroundings (for safety reasons) and to
back-up slowly, accompanied by a
corresponding graphic.
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Parking Aids

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When you think the vehicle has enough
space in front and behind it, or you hear a
solid tone from the parking aid, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop.
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When automatic steering is finished, the
touch screen displays a message indicating
that the active park assist process is done.
The driver is responsible for checking the
parking job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the transmission
in P (Park).
Deactivating the Park Assist
Feature
The system can be deactivated manually
by:
• pressing the active park assist button
• grabbing the steering wheel• driving above approximately 20 mph
(35 km/h) for 30 seconds during an
active park search
• driving above 6 mph (10 km/h) during
automatic steering
• turning off the traction control system.
Certain vehicle conditions can also
deactivate the system, such as:
• Traction control has activated on a
slippery or loose surface.
• There is an anti-lock brake system
activation or failure.
• Any door (except the driver’s) opens.
• Something touches the steering wheel.
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Parking Aids

The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the space
A parked vehicle has a high attachment (i.e. salt sprayer, snowplow, moving truck bed,
etc.)
The parking space length or position of parked objects changed after your vehicle passed
The temperature around your vehicle changes quickly (i.e. driving from a heated garage
into the cold, or after leaving a car wash)
REAR VIEW CAMERA (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNINGS
The rear view camera system is a
reverse aid supplement device that
still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the interior and exterior
mirrors for maximum coverage.
Objects that are close to either
corner of the bumper or under the
bumper, might not be seen on the
screen due to the limited coverage of the
camera system.
Back up as slow as possible since
higher speeds might limit your
reaction time to stop the vehicle.
Use caution when using the rear
video camera and the liftgate is ajar.
If the liftgate is ajar, the camera will
be out of position and the video image may
be incorrect. All guidelines (if enabled)
have been removed when the liftgate is
ajar.
Use caution when turning camera
features on or off while in R
(Reverse). Make sure the vehicle is
not moving.
The rear view camera system provides a
video image of the area behind the vehicle.
During operation, lines appear in the
display which represent your vehicle’s path
and proximity to objects behind the vehicle.
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The camera is located on the liftgate.
Using the Rear View Camera
System
The rear view camera system displays
what is behind your vehicle when you place
the transmission in R (Reverse).
The system uses three types of guides to
help you see what is behind your vehicle:
• Active guidelines: Show the intended
path of your vehicle when reversing.
This feature is only available on
vehicles with active park assist.
• Fixed guidelines: Show the actual path
your vehicle is moving in while reversing
in a straight line. This can be helpful
when backing into a parking space or
aligning your vehicle with another
object behind you.
• Centerline: Helps align the center of
your vehicle with an object (for
example, a trailer).
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Parking Aids

BLIND SPOT MONITOR
Blind Spot Information System
(BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (If
Equipped)
WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
BLIS as a replacement for using the
interior and exterior mirrors and
looking over your shoulder before changing
lanes. BLIS is not a replacement for careful
driving and only an assist.
A
A
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BLIS aids you in detecting vehicles that
may have entered the blind spot zone (A).
The detection area is on both sides of the
vehicle, extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately 10 feet
(3 meters) beyond the bumper. The
system is designed to alert you if certain
vehicles enter the blind spot zone while
driving.
Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in R (Reverse).Note:BLIS is not designed to prevent
contact with other vehicles or objects; or to
detect parked vehicles, people, animals or
infrastructure (fences, guardrails, trees,
etc.). It is designed to alert the driver to
vehicles in the blind zones.
Note:When a vehicle passes quickly
through the blind zone, typically fewer than
two seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the Systems
BLIS turns on when the engine is started
and the vehicle is driven forward above 3
mph (5 km/h); it remains on while the
transmission is in D (Drive) and N
(Neutral). If shifted out of D (Drive) or N
(Neutral), the system enters cross traffic
alert mode. Once shifted back into D
(Drive), BLIS turns back on when the
vehicle is driven above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:BLIS does not function in R (Reverse)
or P (Park) or provide any additional
warning when a turn signal is on.
Cross Traffic Alert is designed to detect
approaching vehicles from up to 45 feet (14
meters) away though coverage decreases
when the sensors are blocked. Reversing
slowly helps increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, NEVER
use the cross traffic alert system as
a replacement for using the interior
and exterior mirrors and looking over your
shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. Cross traffic alert is not a
replacement for careful driving and only
an assist.
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Driving Aids

System Lights and Messages
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The BLIS and Cross Traffic Alert systems
illuminate a yellow alert indicator in the
outside mirror on the side of the vehicle
the approaching vehicle is coming from.
Note:The alert indicator dims when
nighttime darkness is detected.
Cross Traffic Alert also sounds a series of
tones and a message appears in the
information display indicating a vehicle is
coming from the right or left. Cross Traffic
Alert works with the reverse sensing
system which sounds its own series of
tones. See Parking Aid (page 150).
System Sensors
WARNING
Just prior to the system recognizing
a blocked condition and alerting the
driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER
use the BLIS as a replacement for using
the side and rear view mirrors and looking
over your shoulder before changing lanes.
BLIS is not a replacement for careful
driving and only an assist.
Note:It is possible to get a blockage
warning with no blockage present; this is
rare and known as a false blockage warning.
A false blocked condition either
self-corrects or clears after a key cycle.
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The system uses radar sensors which are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow these
areas to become obstructed by mud, snow
or bumper stickers, as this can cause
degraded system performance.
If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor or a message warning
of low visibility will appear in the
information display along with a warning
indicator. The information display warning
can be cleared but the warning indicator
will remain illuminated.
When the blockage is removed, the system
can be reset in two ways:
• when at least two objects are detected
while driving, or
• turn the ignition from on to off, then
back on.
If the blockage is still present after the key
cycle, the system senses again that it is
blocked after driving in traffic.
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Driving Aids

Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
• Turn the steering wheel to point
your vehicle tires away from traffic
flow.
• Set your vehicle parking brake.
• Place the automatic transmission
in position P.
• Place wheel chocks in front and
back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks
not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after the trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher
than 6 inches (15 centimeters) above
the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions, and
reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime
the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Water may have contaminated the rear
axle lubricant, which is not normally
checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or other axle repair is required.
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Towing