2014 FORD ESCAPE tow bar

Reasons for messages being displayed
Clean 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. The
system 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 and
Cross Traffic Alert 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
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 88). 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.
One or both systems can also be switched
off permanently at your authorized dealer.
Once switched off, switching it back on
must also be done at your authorized
dealer.
163
Driving Aids

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury.
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See the Fuses
chapter.
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation.Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See Load Limit (page
168). You can also find the
information in the RV & Trailer
Towing Guide, available at an
authorized dealer.
176
Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480
kilometers). During this time, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000
miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
• Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Rev the engine before turning it off.
• Idle for periods longer than one minute.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.
• Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a
trailer.
• Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).
• Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.=13q
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards,
ski/luggage racks) may reduce fuel
economy.
• To maximize the fuel economy, drive
with the tonneau cover installed (if
equipped).
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 8–10
miles (12–16 kilometers) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
183
Driving Hints

Traffic Preferences
Avoid Traffic Problems
Choose how you want the system to
handle traffic problems along your route.
•Automatic: Have the system reroute
you to avoid traffic incidents that
develop and impact the current route.
The system does not provide a traffic
alert notification.
•Manual: Have the system always
provide a traffic alert notification for
traffic incidents along the planned
route. You have a choice to accept or
ignore the notification before making
the route deviation.
Traffic Alert Notification
Have the system display traffic alert
notifications.
Other traffic alert features allows you to
turn on certain, or all, traffic icons on the
map such as road work, incident, accidents
and closed roads. Scroll down to view all
the different types of alerts. Turn these
features ON or OFF.
Avoid Areas
Choose areas which you want the system
to avoid when calculating a route for you.
Press Add to program an entry. Once you
make a selection, the system tries to avoid
the area(s) if possible for all routes. To
delete a selection, choose the listing on
the screen. When the screen changes to
Avoid Areas Edit, you can press Delete
at the bottom right of the screen.
Map Mode
Press the green bar in the upper right area
of the touchscreen to view map mode. Map
mode shows advanced viewing comprised
of both 2D city maps as well as 3D
landmarks (when available).2D city maps show detailed outlines of
buildings, visible land use and land
elements and detailed railway
infrastructure for the most essential cities
around the globe. These maps also contain
features, such as town blocks, building
footprints, and railways.
3D landmarks appear as clear, visible
objects that are typically recognizable and
have a certain tourist value. The 3D
landmarks appear in 3D map mode only.
Coverage varies, and improves with
updated map releases.
E162051
Change the appearance of the map display
by repeatedly pressing the arrow button in
the upper left corner of the screen. It
toggles between three different map
modes: Heading up, North up, and 3D.
E142642
Heading up (2D map) always
shows the direction of forward
travel to be upward on the screen.
This view is available for map
scales up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). The
system remembers this setting for larger
map scales, but shows the map in North
up only. If the scale returns below this level,
the system restores Heading up.
E142643
North up (2D map) always shows
the northern direction to be
upward on the screen.
375
MyFord Touch™ (If Equipped)

Phone...............................................................353Making Calls........................................................355
Pairing Subsequent Phones..........................355
Pairing Your Phone for the First Time........354
Phone Menu Options.......................................355
Phone Settings....................................................357
Phone Voice Commands................................358
Receiving Calls....................................................355
Text Messaging...................................................356
Power Door LocksSee: Locking and Unlocking.............................55Power Liftgate.................................................59Obstacle Detection.............................................62
Opening and Closing the Liftgate..................60
Setting the Liftgate Open Height....................61
Power Seats.....................................................112Power Lumbar.......................................................113Power Steering Fluid Check......................215
Power Windows..............................................78
Accessory Delay....................................................79
Bounce-Back.........................................................78
One-Touch Down.................................................78
One-Touch Up.......................................................78
Window Lock.........................................................78
R
Rear Seat Armrest.........................................115
Rear Seats........................................................114
Folding the Seatback.........................................114
Recline Adjustment............................................114
Unfolding the Seatback....................................114
Rear Under Floor Storage.........................166Adjustable Load Floor......................................166
Cargo Management System..........................166
Passenger Compartment Floor....................166
Rear View Camera.......................................156Using the Rear View Camera System.........156Rear View CameraSee: Rear View Camera....................................156Rear Window Wiper and Washers............71Rear Window Washer..........................................72
Rear Window Wiper..............................................71
Recommended Towing Weights.............177
Refueling..........................................................130
Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System.................131
Remote Control..............................................44Car Finder................................................................46
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters .................44
Intelligent Access Key.........................................45
Remote Start .........................................................47
Replacing the Battery.........................................45
Sounding a Panic Alarm....................................47
Remote Start..................................................107Automatic Settings...........................................108
Heated and Cooled Devices...........................108
Last Settings........................................................108
Removing a Headlamp..............................222
Repairing Minor Paint Damage..............228
Replacement Parts
Recommendation.........................................11
Collision Repairs.....................................................11
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical
Repairs...................................................................11
Warranty on Replacement Parts.....................12
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote
Control............................................................48
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada
Only)...............................................................195
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.
Only)..............................................................194
Roadside Assistance..................................186
Vehicles Sold In Canada : Getting Roadside
Assistance........................................................186
Vehicles Sold In Canada : Using Roadside
Assistance........................................................186
Vehicles Sold In The U.S.: Getting Roadside
Assistance........................................................186
Vehicles Sold In The U.S. : Using Roadside
Assistance........................................................186
Roadside Emergencies..............................186
Roof Racks and Load Carriers..................167
Adjusting the Crossbar.....................................167Running-InSee: Breaking-In..................................................183Running Out of Fuel.....................................129Refilling With a Portable Fuel
Container..........................................................129
S
Safety Belt Height Adjustment................30
Safety Belt Minder..........................................31
Belt-Minder®..........................................................31
421
Index