2014 FORD ESCAPE traction control

Transmission
Automatic Transmission............................136
Hill Start Assist..............................................138
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation................................140
Using Four-Wheel Drive............................140
Brakes
General Information....................................145
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes...........................................................145
Parking Brake.................................................146
Hill Start Assist..............................................146
Traction Control
Principle of Operation.................................147
Using Traction Control................................147
Stability Control
Principle of Operation................................148
Using Stability Control...............................149
Parking Aids
Parking Aid......................................................150
Active Park Assist.........................................152
Rear View Camera.......................................156
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation.................................159
Using Cruise Control....................................159
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Monitor......................................160
Eco Mode.........................................................164
Steering............................................................164
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage.........................166Luggage Covers.............................................166
Roof Racks and Load Carriers..................167
Load Limit.......................................................168
Towing
Towing a Trailer..............................................176
Trailer Sway Control.....................................177
Recommended Towing Weights.............177
Essential Towing Checks...........................179
Towing Points.................................................181
Transporting the Vehicle.............................181
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......182
Driving Hints
Breaking-In......................................................183
Economical Driving......................................183
Driving Through Water...............................184
Floor Mats.......................................................184
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance..................................186
Hazard Warning Flashers...........................187
Fuel Shutoff....................................................187
Jump-Starting the Vehicle........................187
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need...............190
In California (U.S. Only)..............................191
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto
Line Program (U.S. Only)......................192
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration
Program (Canada Only)........................192
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and
Canada.........................................................193
Ordering Additional Owner's
Literature.....................................................194
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.
Only).............................................................194
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada
Only).............................................................195
3
Table of Contents

Traction and Stability Control
It will flash when the system is
active. If it remains illuminated
or does not illuminate when you
switch the ignition on, this indicates a
malfunction. During a malfunction the
system will switch off. Have the system
checked by your authorized dealer
immediately.
Traction and Stability Control Off
It will illuminate when you switch
the system off. It will go out
when you switch the system
back on or when you switch the ignition
off.
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND
INDICATORS
Key in Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when you open the driver's door
and you have left the key in the ignition
with it in the off or accessory position.
Engine On Warning Chime
A warning chime will sound when any door
is opened if the vehicle exceeds a relatively
low speed.
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds the horn twice when you exit the
vehicle and the keyless vehicle is in RUN,
indicating the vehicle is still on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when you remove the key from the
ignition and open the driver's door and you
have left the headlamps or parking lamps
on.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking
brake on and drive your vehicle. If the
warning chime remains on after you have
released the parking brake, have the
system checked by your authorized dealer
immediately.
Automatic Transmission Warning
Chime
Sounds when you have not moved the
transmission selector lever to position P.
A message will be shown in the display.
87
Instrument Cluster

Settings
Choose your applicable setting Temperature
On or Off Park Slot Chimes
On or Off Display Compass Convenience
Heater – A/C / Auto or
Last Settings Climate Control Remote Start
Front Defrost / Automatic
or Off
Rear Defrost / Automatic
or Off
(5, 10 or 15 minutes) Duration
On/Off Quiet Start
Restore Default
Enable or Disable System
Hold OK to Create MyKey Create MyKey MyKey
Always On or User Selectable Traction Ctrl
80 MPH (130 km/h) or Off Max Speed
45 mph (75 km/h), 55 mph (90 km/h), 65 mph
(105 km/h) or Off Speed Warning
On or Off Volume Limiter
Hold OK to Clear All MyKeys Clear MyKeys
System Check
All active warnings will display first if
applicable. The system check menu may
appear different based upon equipment
options and current vehicle status. Use the
up/down arrow buttons to scroll through
the list.
TRIP COMPUTER
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold OK on the current screen
to reset the respective trip, distance, time
and average fuel information.
90
Information Displays

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Action Message
Indicator Message
Displays when one or more tires on your vehicle
have low tire pressure. See Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (page 251). Amber Low Tire Pressure
Displays when the tire pressure monitoring
system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer. See Tire Pressure Monit-
oring System (page 251). Amber Tire Pressure Monitor
Fault
Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates
under these conditions, see See Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (page 251). If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Amber Tire Pressure Sensor
Fault
Traction Control
Action Message
Indicator Message
Displays when the traction control system has
been switched off. See Using Traction
Control (page 147). - Traction control off
100
Information Displays

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)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations (for example, stuck in
snow or mud), turning the traction control
off may be beneficial as this allows the
wheels to spin with full engine power. Turn
off the traction control system through the
information display. See General
Information (page 88).
System Indicator Lights and
Messages
WARNING
If a failure has been detected within
the AdvanceTrac system, the
stability control light will illuminate
steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac
system was not manually disabled through
the information display. If the stability
control light still illuminates steadily, have
the system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle
with AdvanceTrac disabled could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
E138639
The stability control light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and flashes
when a driving condition activates the
stability system.
The stability control off light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and stays on
when you turn the traction control system
off.
When you turn the traction control system
off or on, a message appears in the
information display showing system status.
147
Traction Control

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involving
braking system, aftermarket roof
racks, suspension, steering system,
tire construction and wheel and tire size
may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle and may adversely affect
the performance of the AdvanceTrac
system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and
adversely affect the AdvanceTrac system.
Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker
as far as possible from the front center
console, the tunnel, and the front seats in
order to minimize the risk of interfering with
the AdvanceTrac sensors. Reducing the
effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac system
could lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Remember that even advanced
technology cannot defy the laws of
physics. It’s always possible to lose
control of a vehicle due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle
increasing the risk of personal injury or
property damage. Activation of the
AdvanceTrac system is an indication that
at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator’s ability to control the
vehicle potentially resulting in a loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. If your AdvanceTrac
system activates, SLOW DOWN.
The AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability
Control system helps you keep control of
your vehicle when on a slippery surface.
The electronic stability control portion of
the system helps avoid skids and lateral
slides and roll stability control helps avoid
a vehicle rollover. The traction control
system helps avoid drive wheel spin and
loss of traction. See Using Traction
Control (page 147).
E72903
A
AA B
BB B
Vehicle without AdvanceTrac
with RSC skidding off its
intended route. A
Vehicle with AdvanceTrac with
RSC maintaining control on a
slippery surface. B
148
Stability Control