The status bar will travel from left to right
as the calculated alertness level
decreases. As the rest icon is approached
the color turns from green to yellow to red.
The yellow position indicates the first
warning is active and the red position
indicates the second warning is active.
Note:
If you have recently received a
warning; you should consider resting, even
if the current assessment is within the
typical range.
Note: If the camera sensor cannot track the
road lane markings or if your vehicle speed
drops below approximately 40 mph
(64 km/h), the alertness level will change
to grey for a short time and the information
display will inform you that the system is
unavailable.
Resetting the System
You can reset the system by either:
• Switching the ignition off and on.
• Stopping the vehicle and then opening
and closing the driver ’s door.
LANE KEEPING SYSTEM
(If
Equipped) WARNING
The system is designed to aid the
driver. It is not intended to replace
the driver
’s attention and judgment.
The driver is still responsible to drive with
due care and attention. Note:
The system works above 40 mph (64
km/h).
Note: The system works as long as the
camera can detect one lane marking.
Note: The system may not function if the
camera is blocked or there is damage to the
windshield. Note:
When Aid mode is on and the system
detects no steering activity for a short
period, the system will alert you to put your
hands on the steering wheel. The system
may detect a light grip or touch on the
steering wheel as hands off driving.
The system detects unintentional drifting
toward the outside of the lane and alerts
or aids you to stay in the lane through the
steering system and instrument cluster
display. The system automatically detects
and tracks the road lane markings using a
camera mounted behind the interior rear
view mirror.
Switching the System On and Off
Note: The system on or off setting is stored
until it is manually changed, unless a
MyKey® is detected. If the system detects
a MyKey®, it defaults to on and the mode
is set to alert.
Note: If a MyKey® is detected, pressing the
button will not affect the on or off status of
the system. You can only change the mode
and intensity settings. Press the button located on the
left steering wheel stalk to
switch the system on or off.
System Settings
The system has two optional setting
menus available. To view or adjust them,
select Settings > Driver Assist > Lane
Keeping Sys in the information display
using the OK button on the steering wheel.
The system stores the last known selection
for each of these settings. You do not need
to readjust your settings each time you turn
on the system.
Mode:
This setting allows you to select
which of the system features to enable.
181
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE144813
Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can see the lane markings
on the road?
Staying too close to the lane marking
Driving at high speeds in curves
Previous feature activation happened within the last one second
Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)
Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa
Sudden offset in lane markings
ABS or AdvanceTrac activation
Camera blockage due to dirt, grime, fog, frost or water on the windshield
Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you
Transitioning between no lane markings to lane markings or vice versa
Standing water on the road
Faint lane markings (partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads)
Lane width too narrow or too wide
Camera not calibrated after a windshield replacement
Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads Why does the vehicle not come back into the middle of the lane always, as expected, in
the Aid or Aid + Alert mode?
High cross winds
Large road crown
Rough roads, grooves, shoulder drop-offs
Heavy uneven loading of the vehicle or improper tire inflation pressure
If the tires have been exchanged (including snow tires), or the suspension has been
modified
184
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM (If Equipped)
WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
Blind Spot Information System as a
replacement for using the interior
and exterior mirrors or looking over your
shoulder before changing lanes. The Blind
Spot Information System is not a
replacement for careful driving. The Blind Spot Information System is
designed to aid you in detecting vehicles
that may have entered the blind spot zone
(A). The detection area is on both sides of
your vehicle, extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately
13 ft
(4 m) beyond the bumper. The system is
designed to alert you if certain vehicles
enter the blind spot zone while driving.
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects; nor detect parked vehicles,
people, animals or infrastructure (fences,
guardrails, trees). It’ s only designed to alert
you to vehicles in the blind spot zones. Note:
When a vehicle passes quickly
through the blind spot zone, typically fewer
than two seconds, the system does not
trigger.
Using the System
The Blind Spot Information System turns
on when you start the engine and you drive
your vehicle forward above
5 mph
(8 km/h).
For automatic transmissions, the Blind
Spot Information System remains on while
the transmission is in drive (D). If shifted
into reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot
Information System turns off. Once shifted
back into drive (D), the Blind Spot
Information System turns back on when
you drive your vehicle above
5 mph
(8 km/h).
For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System is on for all gears
except the reverse (R).
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not function in reverse (R) or park (P).
System Lights and Messages 185
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsA
A
E124788 E142442
Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.
System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an
amber alert indicator in the outside mirror
on the side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones. See Rear
Parking Aid (page 161).
189
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142441 E142442
The system is designed to assist you by
warning you of the risk of a crash with the
vehicle in front of you. The system is
designed to alert you by warning chimes
and a visual warning in the information
display.
The brake support system assists the driver
in reducing the collision speed by charging
the brakes. If the risk of collision further
increases after the warning light
illuminates, the brake support prepares
the brake system for rapid braking. This
may be apparent to the driver. Brake
support may apply if the system
determines that a collision is imminent.
The system may help reduce impact
damage or avoid the crash completely.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING
The collision warning system
’s brake
support can only help reduce the
speed at which a collision occurs.
The brake pedal must be pressed just like
any typical braking situation. Distance Alert
If the distance to the lead vehicle
is small, the red warning lamp
will illuminate in the instrument
cluster.
Note: The warning lamp is small and below
the Distance Indication graphic. It does not
flash when Distance Alert is active.
Distance Indication
Distance Indication provides a graphical
indication of the time gap to other vehicles
traveling in the same direction. The
information display will show one of the
graphics below in color. Key: Left to right.
Outline - Stand by.
Grey, no object - No object detected or
object outside of Distance Indication range.
Grey, with object
- Object detected or
object within Distance Indication range.
Yellow, with object
- Early Distance
Indication warning threshold.
Red, with object
- Final Distance
Indication warning threshold.
Note: Distance Alert and Distance
Indication turns off when adaptive cruise
control is switched on. The Distance
Indication graphics do not display in the
information display unless adaptive cruise
control is switched off.
Adjusting Pre-Collision Assist Settings
If collision warnings are perceived as being
too frequent, the warning sensitivity can
be reduced, we recommend using the
highest sensitivity setting where possible.
Setting lower sensitivity would lead to
fewer and later system warnings.
You can adjust the Collision Warning and
Distance Alert sensitivity to one of three
possible settings by using the information
display control. You can also switch the
Distance Indication function off using the
information display controls. See General
Information
(page 89).
193
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE156130 E190004
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Note:
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. See
Recommended Towing Weights
(page
204).
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See
Fuses
(page 225).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
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 ball mount 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
198).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.
203
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Towing
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit (page 198).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)
when load.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
206
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing 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.
• Revving 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).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or 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.
209
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving Hints