2017 FORD ESCAPE brakes

Unique Driving Character-
istics
Auto-Start-Stop............................................133
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions.......................................135
Fuel Quality.....................................................136
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................136
Running Out of Fuel
....................................136
Refueling..........................................................137
Fuel Consumption
.......................................140
Emission Control System...........................141
Transmission
Automatic Transmission...........................144
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation
................................148
Using Four-Wheel Drive.............................148
Brakes
General Information....................................153
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes...........................................................153
Electric Parking Brake.................................154
Hill Start Assist..............................................156
Traction Control
Principle of Operation
.................................158
Using Traction Control................................158
Stability Control
Principle of Operation.................................159
Using Stability Control...............................160
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation..................................161
Rear Parking Aid.............................................161
Front Parking Aid
..........................................162 Side Sensing System..................................163
Active Park Assist.........................................165
Rear View Camera.........................................171
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation.................................174
Using Cruise Control....................................174
Using Adaptive Cruise Control
.................175
Driving Aids
Driver Alert
......................................................180
Lane Keeping System..................................181
Blind Spot Information System..............185
Cross Traffic Alert.........................................187
Eco Mode
..........................................................191
Steering............................................................192
Collision Warning System.........................192
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage.........................196
Luggage Covers.............................................196
Roof Racks and Load Carriers..................197
Load Limit.......................................................198
Towing
Towing a Trailer
............................................203
Trailer Sway Control
...................................204
Recommended Towing Weights...........204
Essential Towing Checks..........................206
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......208
Driving Hints
Breaking-In....................................................209
Economical Driving
.....................................209
Driving Through Water................................210
Floor Mats
.......................................................210
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance
...................................212
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents

Pregnant women should always wear their
seatbelt. The lap belt portion of a
combination lap and shoulder belt should
be positioned low across the hips below
the belly and worn as tight as comfort will
allow. The shoulder belt should be
positioned to cross the middle of the
shoulder and the center of the chest.
Seatbelt Locking Modes
WARNINGS
After any vehicle crash, the seatbelt
system at all passenger seating
positions must be checked by an
authorized dealer to verify that the
automatic locking retractor feature for
child seats is still functioning properly. In
addition, all seatbelts should be checked
for proper function. THE BELT AND RETRACTOR
ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the seatbelt assembly automatic
locking retractor feature or any other
seatbelt function is not operating properly
when checked by an authorized dealer.
Failure to replace the belt and retractor
assembly could increase the risk of injury
in crashes. All safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The
driver seatbelt has the first type of locking
mode, and the front outboard passenger
and rear seat seatbelts have both types of
locking modes described as follows: Vehicle Sensitive Mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which
allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and
locking in response to vehicle movement.
For example, if the driver brakes suddenly
or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle
receives an impact of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the combination
seatbelts will lock to help reduce forward
movement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the retractor is designed to lock
if the webbing is pulled out too quickly. If
this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and
pull webbing out again in a slow and
controlled manner.
Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically pre-locked. The belt will still
retract to remove any slack in the shoulder
belt. The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver seatbelt.
When to Use the Automatic Locking
Mode
This mode should be used any time a child
safety seat, except a booster, is installed
in passenger front or rear seating positions.
Children 12 years old and under should be
properly restrained in a rear seating
position whenever possible. See
Child
Safety (page 15).
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Seatbelts

Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Stationary
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. Shift into park (P).
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the key to the off position.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Shift into park (P).
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Press the push button ignition switch.
Note:
The ignition, all electrical circuits and
all warning lamps and indicators will be
turned off.
Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Moving WARNING
Switching off the engine when the
vehicle is still moving will result in a
loss of brake and steering assistance.
The steering will not lock, but higher effort
will be required. When the ignition is
switched off, some electrical circuits,
including air bags, warning lamps and
indicators may also be off. If the ignition
was turned off accidentally, you can shift
into neutral (N) and re-start the engine. Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1.
Shift into neutral and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift into park (P) and switch the ignition
off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Shift into neutral and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop. 2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift
into park (P).
3. Press and hold the push button ignition
switch, or press it three times within
two seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside
your vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer
immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if
you smell exhaust fumes. Carbon
monoxide is present in exhaust fumes.
Take precautions to avoid its dangerous
effects. Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and then leave the
engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the
following:
•
Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (If
Equipped) WARNINGS
Failure to follow engine block heater
instructions could result in property
damage or serious personal injury.
Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk
of electrical shock.
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Starting and Stopping the Engine

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully
and make sure you shift the
transmission selector to park (P).
Switch your vehicle off 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. Transmission Selector Positions
ParkP
Reverse
R
Neutral
N
Drive
D
Sport
S
Putting your vehicle in gear: WARNING
Apply the brakes before shifting the
transmission selector to a forward
or reverse gear. Keep the brakes
applied until you are ready to move. Press the button on the front of the
transmission selector to shift to each
position. The transmission selector position
will be shown in the instrument cluster.
Park (P)
In this position, power is not transmitted
to the driven wheels and the transmission
is locked. You can start the engine with the
transmission selector in this position.
Reverse (R)
Shift the gearshift lever to reverse (R) to
allow your vehicle to move backward.
Neutral (N)
In this position, power is not transmitted
to the driven wheels but the transmission
is not locked. You can start the engine with
the gearshift lever in this position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for
the best fuel economy and smoothness.
Shift the gearshift lever to drive (D) to
allow your vehicle to move forward and
shift automatically through the forward
gears.
The transmission will shift to the
appropriate gear for optimum performance
based on ambient temperature, road
gradient, vehicle load and your input.
Sport (S)
Switch on sport mode by shifting the
gearshift lever to sport (S). In Sport mode
the transmission will select the optimum
gear for best performance. This gear
selection is typically lower than that of
drive (D) and the shifts are faster.
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing TransmissionE142629

Upshifts when accelerating (recom-
mended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:15 mph (24 km/h)
1 - 2
25 mph (40 km/h)
2 - 3
40 mph (64 km/h)
3 - 4
45 mph (72 km/h)
4 - 5
50 mph (80 km/h)
5 - 6
The instrument cluster displays your
currently selected gear. If a gear is
requested but not available due to vehicle
conditions (low speed, too high engine
speed for requested gear selection), the
current gear will flash three times.
Note: At full accelerator pedal travel the
transmission will auto downshift to ensure
maximum performance.
Note: In low traction conditions, you can
pull away in second gear using SelectShift.
To perform this operation select drive (D)
or sport (S) mode and press the + toggle (if
equipped) or pull the + paddle (if equipped)
until 2 is displayed on the cluster. Your
vehicle is now ready to move in 2nd gear.
Brake-Shift Interlock Override WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until you
verify that the brake lamps are
working.
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking the vehicle out of park
which means the vehicle can roll
freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always fully set the parking
brake prior to doing this procedure. Use
wheel chocks if appropriate. WARNINGS
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized
dealer. Use the brake shift interlock lever to move
the gearshift lever from the park position
in the event of an electrical malfunction or
if your vehicle has a dead battery.
Apply the parking brake and turn your
vehicle off before performing this
procedure.
1. Remove the shifter boot using a
suitable tool
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing TransmissionE223576

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.
Water
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. 150
Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)E143949

Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral. Disengage
overdrive or move the transmission
selector lever to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid sudden hard
braking as you could lose control. The front
wheels have to be turning in order to steer
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump the
brake pedal.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING
If you are driving in slippery
conditions that require tire chains or
cables, then it is critical that you drive
cautiously. Keep speeds down, allow for
longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances
of a loss of vehicle control which can lead
to serious injury or death. If the rear end of
your vehicle slides while cornering, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain
control of your vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
transmission damage.
Four-wheel drive vehicles have advantages
over two-wheel drive vehicles in snow and
ice but can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop. Avoid sudden braking. Although a
four-wheel drive vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in
snow and ice, it will not stop any faster as
braking occurs at all four wheels. Do not
become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. As your vehicle has a four
wheel anti-lock brake system, do not pump
the brake pedal. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 153).
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,
it may be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature,
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more
than a minute, damage to the transmission
and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty. For this reason,
we strongly recommend that you do not
make modifications such as adding or
removing parts (i.e. lift kits or stabilizer
bars) or by using replacement parts not
equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out and an
authorized dealer should check them. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, an
authorized dealer should check your vehicle.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 265). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 85).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Switch the engine off, move the
transmission to park (P) and apply the
parking brake. Inspect the accelerator
pedal and the area around it for any items
or debris that may be obstructing its
movement. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer. Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you
brake heavily by measuring the rate at
which you press the brake pedal. It
provides maximum braking efficiency as
long as you press the pedal. Emergency
brake assist can reduce stopping distances
in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking.
This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you switch the
ignition on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the anti-lock braking system may
be disabled. Have the system checked by
an authorized dealer. If the anti-lock brake
system is disabled, normal braking is still
effective. If the brake warning lamp
illuminates with the parking
brake released, have your brake
system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal may pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
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Escape/Kuga (TM2), enUSA, First Printing BrakesE138644 E138644