2014 FORD ESCAPE Front

Recirculated air: Press to turn air recirculation in cabin on or off. Recirculated
air may reduce the amount of time to cool down the interior of the vehicle and
may help reduce undesired odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle.
Recirculated air engages automatically when you select MAX A/C, or manually
in any airflow mode except defrost. Recirculated air may turn off automatically
in all airflow modes except MAX A/C to reduce fog potential. F
Defrost: Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and demister
vents. The system automatically provides outside air to reduce window fogging.
Press again to turn off defrost mode. G
Instrument panel: Press to distribute air through the instrument panel vents.
Press again to turn off panel mode. H
Floor: Distributes air through the demister vents and front and rear seat floor
vents. Press again to turn off floor mode. I
A/C: Press to turn air conditioning on or off. Use with recirculated air to improve
cooling performance and efficiency. Air conditioning also engages automatically
in some modes. J
Temperature Control
E133115
You can set the temperature between
60°F (15.5°C) and 85°F (29.5°C) in steps
of 1°F (0.5°C). In position LO, 59°F (15°C),
the system switches to permanent cooling.
In position HI, 86°F (30°C), the system
switches to permanent heating.Single Zone Temperature Control
In this mode, the climate control system
links the temperature settings for both the
driver's side and passenger's side. If you
adjust the setting using the rotary control
on the driver’s side, the system adjusts the
temperature to the same setting on the
passenger’s side.
Dual Zone Temperature Control
Select a temperature for the passenger’s
side using the rotary control on the
passenger’s side. Single zone temperature
control automatically switches off. The
temperature on the driver’s side remains
unchanged. You can now adjust the
driver's side and passenger's side
temperatures independently. The display
shows the temperature settings for each
side.
Switching Back to Single Zone
Temperature Control
Press and hold AUTO for 2-4 seconds. The
passenger’s side temperature switches to
the driver’s side temperature setting.
103
Climate Control

HINTS ON CONTROLLING THE
INTERIOR CLIMATE
General Hints
Note:Prolonged use of recirculated air may
cause the windows to fog up.
Note:You may feel a small amount of air
from the floor air vents regardless of the air
distribution setting.
Note:To reduce humidity build-up inside
your vehicle, do not drive with the system
switched off or with recirculated air always
switched on.
Note:Do not place objects under the front
seats as this may interfere with the airflow
to the rear seats.
Note:Remove any snow, ice or leaves from
the air intake area at the base of the
windshield.Manual Climate Control
Note:To reduce fogging of the windshield
during humid weather, adjust the air
distribution control to the windshield air
vents position. Increase the temperature
and fan speed to improve clearing, if
required.
Automatic Climate Control
Note:Adjusting the settings when your
vehicle interior is extremely hot or cold is
not necessary. The system automatically
adjusts to heat or cool the cabin to your
selected temperature as quickly as possible.
For the system to function efficiently, the
instrument panel and side air vents should
be fully open.
Note:At low ambient temperatures with
AUTO selected, the system directs airflow
to the windshield and side window vents
and fan may run at a slow speed until the
engine warms up.
Heating the Interior Quickly
Vehicle with automatic climate control Vehicle with manual climate control
Press the high fan speed button. Adjust the fan speed to the highest
speed setting. 1
Adjust the temperature control to the
highest setting. Adjust the temperature control to the
highest setting. 2
Press the floor button to distribute air to
the floor air vents. Adjust the air distribution control to the
floor air vents position. 3
104
Climate Control

WARNINGS
Install the head restraint properly to
help minimize the risk of neck injury
in the event of a crash.
Note:Adjust the seatback to an upright
driving position before adjusting the head
restraint. Adjust the head restraint so that
the top of it is level with the top of your head
and as far forward as possible. Make sure
that you remain comfortable. If you are
extremely tall, adjust the head restraint to
its highest position.
Front seat head restraint
E138642
Rear seat outboard head restraints
E138643
Rear center head restraint
E138645
The head restraints consist of:
an energy absorbing head
restraint A
two steel stems B
guide sleeve adjust and unlock
button C
guide sleeve unlock and remove
button D
fold button E
Adjusting the Head Restraint
Raising the Head Restraint
Pull the head restraint up.
Lowering the Head Restraint
1. Press and hold button C.
2. Push the head restraint down.
Removing the Head Restraint
1. Pull the head restraint up until it
reaches its highest position.
2. Press and hold buttons C and D.
3. Pull the head restraint up.
110
Seats

Installing the Head Restraint
Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves
and push the head restraint down until it
locks.
Folding the Head Restraint
1. Press and hold button E.
2. Pull it back up to reset.
Tilting Head Restraints
The front head restraints have a tilting
feature for extra comfort. To tilt the head
restraint, do the following:
E144727
1. Adjust the seatback to an upright
driving or riding position.
2. Pivot the head restraint forward toward
your head to the desired position.
After the head restraint reaches the
forward-most tilt position, pivot it forward
again to release it to the rearward, un-tilted
position.
MANUAL SEATS
WARNING
Do not adjust the driver's seat or seat
back when your vehicle is moving.
Moving the Seat Backward and
Forward
E163870
WARNING
Rock the seat backward and forward
after releasing the lever to make sure
that it is fully engaged.
Adjusting the Height of the
Driver's Seat
E163871
111
Seats

Use the following guidelines to avoid
electrostatic charge build-up when filling
an ungrounded fuel container:
• Place approved fuel container on the
ground.
• Do not fill a fuel container while it is in
the vehicle (including the cargo area).
• Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact
with the fuel container while filling.
• Do not use a device that would hold
the fuel pump handle in the fill position.
Easy Fuel™ Capless 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. Put the vehicle in P (Park) and turn the
ignition off.
2. Open the fuel filler door.
E156032
3. Slowly insert the fuel filler nozzle fully
into the fuel system, and leave the
nozzle fully inserted to open both doors
until you are done pumping. Hold
handle higher during insertion for easier
access.
E154765
4. After you are done pumping fuel, slowly
remove the fuel filler nozzle—allow
about 5 to 10 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.
At the next opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Put the vehicle in P (Park) and turn the
ignition off.
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 allow the inlet to close
properly. This will dislodge any debris
preventing the inlet from sealing.
131
Fuel and Refueling

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully
and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition
to the off position and remove the key
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Do not apply the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal simultaneously.
Applying both pedals simultaneously
for more than three seconds will limit
engine rpm, which may result in difficulty
maintaining speed in traffic and could lead
to serious injury.
Understanding the Positions of
Your Automatic Transmission
Putting your vehicle in gear:
1. Fully press down the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the button on the front
of the gearshift lever.
3. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
4. Release the button and your
transmission will remain in the selected
gear.
E133124
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and
prevents the front wheels from turning.
Come to a complete stop before putting
your vehicle into and out of P (Park)
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the
vehicle will move backward. Always come
to a complete stop before shifting into and
out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the
vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for the best
fuel economy. Transmission operates in
gears one through six.
S (Sport)
Moving the gearshift lever to S (Sport):
• Provides additional grade (engine)
braking and extends lower gear
operation to enhance performance for
uphill climbs, hilly terrain or
mountainous areas. This will increase
engine RPM during engine braking.
• Provides additional lower gear
operation through the automatic
transmission shift strategy.
• Gears are selected more quickly and
at higher engine speeds.
SelectShift Automatic®
Transmission (If Equipped)
Your SelectShift automatic transmission
gives you the ability to manually change
gears.
136
Transmission

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the rear wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously making
adjustments to the torque distribution, in
an attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.
All components of the system are sealed
and do not require maintenance.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
Note:When a system malfunction is
present, a warning message will be
displayed in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 91). This
means the system is not functioning
correctly and has defaulted to front-wheel
drive only. Have your vehicle checked by an
authorized dealer.
Note:A message will be displayed in the
information display when the system
overheats and switches to front-wheel drive.
This condition may occur if you operate your
vehicle in extreme high load conditions or
with excessive wheel slip, (i.e. deep sand).
To resume four-wheel drive function as soon
as possible, stop your vehicle in a safe
location and switch the ignition off. After
the system cools and normal four-wheel
drive functionality resumes, a message will
be displayed for approximately five seconds.
Note:If a warning message appears in the
information display when using the spare
tire, it should turn off after reinstalling the
repaired or replaced road tire and you switch
the ignition on.Note:It is recommended that you reinstall
the repaired tire or replace the tire as soon
as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes
between the front and rear axles could
cause system damage or default the system
to front-wheel drive.
The 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 and heat
which could result in system damage. This
will not be covered by your vehicle
warranty.
E142669
A graphic will be displayed in the
information display to advise you of the
power distribution between the front and
rear wheels. The more the area is filled the
more power is being distributed to that
wheel.
Driving in Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel Drive
Four-wheel drive vehicles are suitable for
driving on sand, snow, mud and rough
roads and have operating characteristics
that are somewhat different from
conventional vehicles, both on and off the
freeway.
Note:It may be useful to switch Traction
control off. This allows for more wheel spin
and engine torque in certain off road
conditions or if your vehicle becomes stuck.
140
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this
causes vehicle momentum to work against
you and your vehicle could become stuck
to the point that assistance may be
required from another vehicle. Remember,
you may be able to back out the way you
came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can
lose traction in slick mud. If your vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of your vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Wa t e r
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth and avoid water higher than the
bottom of the wheel rims. If the ignition
system gets wet, your vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by applying light pressure to the
brake pedal while moving slowly.
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.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:Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills.
A danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possible vehicle roll 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 your vehicle stalls, do not try to turn
around because this could cause vehicle
roll over. It is better to reverse back 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.
E143949
142
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)