2014 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

This system works with sensors that are
part of the front passenger’s seat and
safety belt to detect the presence of a
properly–seated occupant and determine
if the front passenger’s frontal airbag
should be enabled (may inflate) or not.
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The front passenger sensing system uses
a passenger airbag off indicator which will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you that
the front passenger frontal airbag is
disabled. The indicator lamp is located in
the center stack of the instrument panel.
Note:When the ignition is first turned on,
the passenger airbag off light will illuminate
for a short period of time to confirm it is
functional.
The front passenger sensing system is
designed to disable (will not inflate) the
front passenger’s frontal airbag when the
front passenger seat is unoccupied, or a
rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing
child restraint, or a booster seat is
detected. Even with this technology,
parents are STRONGLY encouraged to
always properly restrain children in the rear
seat. The sensor also turns off the
passenger front airbag and seat-mounted
side airbag when the passenger seat is
empty.• When the front passenger sensing
system disables (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag, the
passenger airbag status indicator will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you
that the front passenger frontal airbag
is disabled.
• If the child restraint has been installed
and the passenger airbag status
indicator does not illuminate, then turn
the vehicle off, remove the child
restraint from the vehicle and reinstall
the restraint following the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
The front passenger sensing system is
designed to enable (may inflate) the front
passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the
system senses that a person of adult size
is sitting properly in the front passenger
seat.
• When the front passenger sensing
system enables the front passenger
frontal airbag (may inflate), the
passenger airbag status indicator will
not illuminate.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front
passenger's seat, but the passenger airbag
status indicator lamp is lit, it is possible
that the person is not sitting properly in the
seat. If this happens:
• Turn the vehicle off and ask the person
to place the seatback in the full upright
position.
• Have the person sit upright in the seat,
centered on the seat cushion, with the
person's legs comfortably extended.
• Restart the vehicle and have the person
remain in this position for about two
minutes. This will allow the system to
detect that person and enable the
passenger’s frontal airbag.
• If the passenger airbag status indicator
lamp remains lit even after this, the
person should be advised to ride in the
rear seat.
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Supplementary Restraints System

Passenger airbag Passenger airbag status
indicator Occupant
Disabled Unlit Empty
Disabled Lit Child
Enabled Unlit Adult
Note:When the passenger airbag status
indicator lamp is illuminated, the passenger
side airbag (seat mounted) may be disabled
to avoid the risk of airbag deployment
injuries.
After all occupants have adjusted their
seats and put on safety belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
properly. A properly seated occupant sits
upright, leaning against the seatback, and
centered on the seat cushion, with their
feet comfortably extended on the floor.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance
of injury in a crash event. For example, if
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns
sideways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
If you think that the status of the passenger
airbag off indicator lamp is incorrect, check
for the following:
• Objects lodged underneath the seat
• Objects between the seat cushion and
the center console
• Objects hanging off the seatback
• Objects stowed in the seatback map
pocket
• Objects placed on the occupant's lap
• Cargo interference with the seat
• Other passengers pushing or pulling on
the seat
• Rear passenger feet and knees resting
or pushing on the seatThe conditions listed above may cause the
weight of a properly seated occupant to
be incorrectly interpreted by the passenger
sensing system. The person in the front
passenger seat may appear heavier or
lighter due to the conditions described in
the list above.
Make sure the front passenger
sensing system is operating
properly. See Crash Sensors
and Airbag Indicator (page 42).
If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do
the following:
The driver or adult passengers should
check for objects that lodged underneath
the front passenger seat, or cargo
interfering with the seat.
If there are lodged objects, or cargo is
interfering with the seat, take the following
steps to remove the obstruction:
• Pull the vehicle over.
• Turn the vehicle off.
• Driver or adult passengers should
check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat
or cargo interfering with the seat.
• Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
• Restart the vehicle.
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Supplementary Restraints System

• Wait at least two minutes and verify
that the airbag readiness lamp is no
longer illuminated.
• If the airbag readiness lamp remains
illuminated, this may or may not be a
problem due to the front passenger
sensing system.
Do not attempt to repair or service the
system; take your vehicle immediately to
an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced
front airbag system to accommodate a
person with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.
SIDE AIRBAGS
WARNINGS
Do not place objects or mount
equipment on or near the airbag
cover, on the side of the seatbacks
(of the front seats), or in front seat areas
that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a crash.
Do not use accessory seat covers.
The use of accessory seat covers
may prevent the deployment of the
side airbags and increase the risk of injury
in an accident.
Do not lean your head on the door.
The side airbag could injure you as it
deploys from the side of the
seatback.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the airbag, its fuses or the
seat cover on a seat containing an
airbag as you could be seriously injured or
killed. Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
WARNINGS
If the side airbag has deployed, the
airbag will not function again. The
side airbag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and serviced by
an authorized dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase
the risk of injury in a crash.
The side airbags are located on the
outboard side of the seatbacks of the front
seats. In certain sideways crashes, the
airbag on the side affected by the crash
will be inflated. The airbag was designed
to inflate between the door panel and
occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact crashes.
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The system consists of the following:
• A label or embossed side panel
indicating that side airbags are fitted
to your vehicle.
• Side airbags located inside the driver
and front passenger seatbacks.
• Front passenger sensing system.
·Crash sensors and monitoring
system with readiness indicator.
See Crash Sensors and Airbag
Indicator (page 42).
Note:The passenger sensing system will
deactivate the passenger seat-mounted
side airbag if it detects an empty passenger
seat.
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Supplementary Restraints System

The design and development of the side
airbag system included recommended
testing procedures that were developed
by a group of automotive safety experts
known as the Side Airbag Technical
Working Group. These recommended
testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side
airbags.
SAFETY CANOPY™
WARNINGS
Do not place objects or mount
equipment on or near the headliner
at the siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying curtain airbag.
Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a crash.
Do not lean your head on the door.
The curtain airbag could injure you
as it deploys from the headliner.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the curtain airbags, its fuses,
the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the
headliner on a vehicle containing curtain
airbags as you could be seriously injured
or killed. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
All occupants of your vehicle
including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when an
airbag supplemental restraint system and
curtain airbag is provided. Failure to
properly wear your safety belt could
seriously increase the risk of injury or death.
To reduce risk of injury, do not
obstruct or place objects in the
deployment path of the curtain
airbag.
WARNINGS
If the curtain airbags have deployed,
the curtain airbags will not function
again. The curtain airbags (including
the A, B and C pillar trim and headliner)
must be inspected and serviced by an
authorized dealer. If the curtain airbag is
not replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The Safety Canopy will deploy during
significant side crashes or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected
by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy
is mounted to the roof side-rail sheet
metal, behind the headliner, above each
row of seats. In certain sideways crashes
or rollover events, the Safety Canopy will
be activated, regardless of which seats are
occupied. The Safety Canopy is designed
to inflate between the side window area
and occupants to further enhance
protection provided in side impact crashes
and rollover events.
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The system consists of the following:
• Safety canopy curtain airbags located
above the trim panels over the front
and rear side windows identified by a
label or wording on the headliner or
roof-pillar trim.
• A flexible headliner which opens above
the side doors to allow air curtain
deployment
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Supplementary Restraints System

• The crash sensors and monitoring
system have a readiness indicator. See
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator
(page 42).
Children 12 years old and under should
always be properly restrained in the rear
seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere
with children restrained using a properly
installed child or booster seat because it
is designed to inflate downward from the
headliner above the doors along the side
window opening.
The design and development of the Safety
Canopy included recommended testing
procedures that were developed by a
group of automotive safety experts known
as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of injuries
related to the deployment of side airbags
(including the Safety Canopy).
CRASH SENSORS AND
AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING
Modifying or adding equipment to
the front end of your vehicle
(including frame, bumper, front end
body structure and tow hooks) may affect
the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify
the front end of your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash and
occupant sensors which provide
information to the restraints control
module which deploys (activates) the
front safety belt pretensioners, driver
airbag, passenger airbag, seat mounted
side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based
on the type of accident (frontal impact,
side impact or rollover) the restraints
control module will deploy the appropriate
safety devices.
The restraints control module also
monitors the readiness of the above safety
devices plus the crash and occupant
sensors. The readiness of the safety
system is indicated by a warning indicator
light in the instrument cluster or by a
backup tone if the warning light is not
working. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by
one or more of the following:
• The readiness light will not illuminate
immediately after the ignition is turned
on.
• The readiness light will either flash or
stay lit.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The
tone pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem, the light or both are
repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at an authorized
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the
event of a crash.
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Supplementary Restraints System

The safety belt pretensioners and the
airbag supplemental restraint system is
designed to activate when your vehicle
sustains frontal or sideways deceleration
sufficient to cause the restraints control
module to deploy a safety device or when
a certain likelihood of a rollover event is
detected by the rollover sensor.
The fact that the safety belt pretensioners
or airbags did not activate for both front
seat occupants in a crash does not mean
that something is wrong with the system.
Rather, it means the restraints control
module determined the accident
conditions (for example, crash severity,
belt usage) were not appropriate to
activate these safety devices.
• The design of the front airbags is to
activate only in frontal and near-frontal
crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or
rear impacts) unless the crash causes
sufficient frontal deceleration.
• The design of the safety belt
pretensioners is to activate in frontal,
near-frontal and side crashes, and in
rollovers.
• The design of the side airbags is to
inflate in certain side impact crashes.
Side airbags may activate in other
types of crashes if your vehicle
experiences sufficient sideways motion
or deformation.
• The design of the Safety Canopy is to
inflate in certain side impact crashes
or rollover events. The Safety Canopy
may activate in other types of crashes
if your vehicle experiences sufficient
sideways motion or deformation, or a
certain likelihood of rollover.
AIRBAG DISPOSAL
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Airbags must be disposed of by
qualified personnel.
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Supplementary Restraints System

GENERAL INFORMATION ON
RADIO FREQUENCIES
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and with Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) This device
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Note:Changes or modifications not
expressively approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the
user's authority to operate the equipment.
The term IC before the radio certification
number only signifies that Industry Canada
technical specifications were met.
The typical operating range for your
transmitter is approximately 33 feet (10
meters). Vehicles with the remote start
feature will have a greater range. One of
the following could cause a decrease in
operating range:
• weather conditions
• nearby radio towers
• structures around the vehicle
• other vehicles parked next to your
vehicle
The radio frequency used by your remote
control can also be used by other short
distance radio transmissions, for example
amateur radios, medical equipment,
wireless headphones, remote controls and
alarm systems. If the frequencies are
jammed, you will not be able to use your
remote control. You can lock and unlock
the doors with the key.
Note:Make sure to lock your vehicle before
leaving it unattended.
Note:If you are in range, the remote control
will operate if you press any button
unintentionally.
Intelligent Access (If Equipped)
The system uses a radio frequency signal
to communicate with your vehicle and
authorize your vehicle to unlock when one
of the following conditions are met:
• You touch the inside of the front
exterior door handle.
• You press the luggage compartment
button.
• You press a button on the transmitter.
If excessive radio frequency interference
is present in the area or if the transmitter
battery is low, you may need to
mechanically unlock your door. You can
use the mechanical key blade in your
intelligent access key to open the driver
door in this situation. See Remote
Control (page 44).
REMOTE CONTROL
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters
(If Equipped)
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Use the key blade to start your vehicle and
unlock or lock the driver door from outside
your vehicle. The transmitter portion
functions as the remote control.
44
Keys and Remote Controls

E138615
Note:Your vehicle’s keys came with a
security label that provides important
vehicle key cut information. Keep the label
in a safe place for future reference.
Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)
Note:A three-button remote control will
operate similarly.
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Your intelligent access keys operate the
power locks and the remote start system.
The key must be in your vehicle to activate
the push-button start system.
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The intelligent access key also contains a
removable mechanical key blade that you
can use to unlock the driver door. Slide the
release on the back of the transmitter to
release the key blade, then pull the blade
out.
E138618
Note:Your vehicle’s back-up keys came
with a security tag that provides important
vehicle key cut information. Keep the tag in
a safe place for future reference.
Replacing the Battery
Note:Refer to local regulations when
disposing of transmitter batteries.
Note:Do not wipe off any grease on the
battery terminals or on the back surface of
the circuit board.
Note:Replacing the battery will not delete
the transmitter from the vehicle. The
transmitter should operate normally.
The remote control uses one coin-type
three-volt lithium battery CR2032 or
equivalent.
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Keys and Remote Controls