2014 FORD ESCAPE trailer

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

Alarm
Action Message
Indicator Message
Displays when the alarm has been triggered
due to unauthorized entry. See Anti-Theft
Alarm (page 65). Amber Alarm activated Check
Vehicle
Displays when the system requires service due
to a malfunction. Contact your authorized
dealer. - Alarm fault Service
required
Battery and Charging System
Action Message
Indicator Message
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so
and switch off the ignition. Contact your
authorized dealer. Red Electrical system over-
voltage Stop safely
Displays to warn of a low battery condition.
Turn off all unneeded electrical accessories.
Contact your authorized dealer. Amber Battery low See manual
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System
Action Message
Indicator Message
Displayed when the blind spot information
system and cross traffic alert system sensors
are blocked. See Blind Spot Monitor (page
160). Amber BLIS Low visibility See
manual
Displayed when a fault with the system has
occurred. Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible. Amber BLIS: X sensor fault
Service required
Displayed when the system is not available due
to trailer use. See Blind Spot Monitor (page
160). Amber BLIS not available Trailer
attached
Displayed when the system detects a vehicle.
See Blind Spot Monitor (page 160). Amber Cross Traffic Vehicle
coming from X
92
Information Displays

Action Message
Indicator Message
Displayed when the blind spot information
system and cross traffic alert system sensors
are blocked. See Blind Spot Monitor (page
160). Amber Cross Traffic Sensor
blocked See manual
Displays when the system requires service due
to a malfunction. Contact your authorized
dealer. Amber Cross Traffic fault
Service required
Displayed when the system is not available due
to trailer use. See Blind Spot Monitor (page
160). - Cross Traffic disabled
Trailer attached
Doors
Action Message
Indicator Message
Displays when the door(s) listed is not
completely closed and the vehicle is moving. Red X door open
Displays when the door(s) listed is not
completely closed. -
Displays when the luggage compartment is not
completely closed and the vehicle is moving. Red Liftgate ajar
Displays when the luggage compartment is not
completely closed. -
Displays when the hood is not completely
closed and the vehicle is moving. Red Hood open
Displays when the hood is not completely
closed. -
93
Information Displays

FUEL QUALITY
Note:Use of any fuel other than those
recommended may cause vehicle damage,
a loss of vehicle performance and repairs
may not be covered under warranty.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED
fuel blended with a maximum of 15%
ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85),
diesel fuel, fuel-methanol, leaded fuel or
any other fuel because it could damage or
impair the emission control system.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel
or fuel additives with metallic compounds,
including manganese-based additives. The
use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law.
Octane Recommendations
2.5L engine
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some fuel stations offer
fuels posted as regular with an octane
rating below 87, particularly in high altitude
areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87
are not recommended.
1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost® engines
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels
posted as "Regular" with an octane rating
below 87, particularly in high altitude areas.
Fuels with octane levels below 87 are not
recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is
recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it
knocks heavily while you are using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, see your
authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
• You may need to cycle the ignition from
off to on several times after refueling
to allow the fuel system to pump the
fuel from the tank to the engine. On
restarting, cranking time will take a few
seconds longer than normal. With
keyless ignition, just start the engine.
Crank time will be longer than usual.
• Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of
fuel is enough to restart the engine. If
the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep
grade, more than 1 gallon (3.8 liters)
may be required.
• The service engine soon indicator may
come on. For more information on the
service engine soon indicator, See
Warning Lamps and Indicators
(page 84).
Refilling With a Portable Fuel
Container
WARNINGS
Do not insert the nozzle of portable
fuel containers or aftermarket
funnels into the capless fuel system.
This could damage the fuel system and its
seal, and may cause fuel to run onto the
ground instead of filling the tank, which
could result in serious personal injury.
129
Fuel and Refueling

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.
150
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
E142733
152
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.
E142435
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).
156
Parking Aids

Note:If the transmission is in R (Reverse)
and the luggage compartment is ajar, no
rear view camera features are displayed.
Note:If the image comes on while the
transmission is not in R (Reverse), have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer.
Note:When towing, the camera only sees
what is being towed behind your vehicle.
This might not provide adequate coverage
as it usually provides in normal operation
and some objects might not be seen. In
some vehicles, the guidelines may disappear
once the trailer tow connector is engaged.
Note:The camera may not operate
correctly under the following conditions:
• Nighttime or dark areas if one or both
reverse lamps are not operating.
• The camera's view is obstructed by
mud, water or debris. Clean the lens
with a soft, lint-free cloth and
non-abrasive cleaner.
• The rear of the vehicle is hit or
damaged, causing the camera to
become misaligned.
To access any of the rear view camera
system settings, make the following
selections in the touch screen when the
transmission is not in R (Reverse):
• Menu > Vehicle > Rear View Camera
After changing a system setting, the touch
screen shows a preview of the selected
features.
Guidelines and the Centerline
Note:Active guidelines and fixed guidelines
are only available when the transmission is
in R (Reverse).
Note:The centerline is only available if
Active or Fixed guidelines are on.
ABCD
F
E
E142436
Active guidelines A
Centerline B
Fixed guideline: Green zone C
Fixed guideline: Yellow zone D
Fixed guideline: Red zone E
Rear bumper F
Active guidelines are only shown with fixed
guidelines. To use active guidelines, turn
the steering wheel to point the guidelines
toward an intended path. If the steering
wheel position is changed while reversing,
the vehicle might deviate from the original
intended path.
The fixed and active guidelines fade in and
out depending on the steering wheel
position. The active guidelines are not
shown when the steering wheel position
is straight.
157
Parking Aids