ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
• 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 206).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector
(If Equipped) When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.
Note:
Install the water proof protection cap
back onto the trailer towing connector
whenever it is not in use. This helps to
prevent water damage and trailer towing
connector malfunction.
Note: You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment. Function
Color
Left direction indicatorand stop lamp
Yellow
Ground (-)
White
Right direction indicatorand stop lamp
Green
Running lights
Brown
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 trailer ’s 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.
214
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing TowingE168683
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 lb (680 kg) when loaded.
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. Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than
70 mph
(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi
(800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (P) to aid engine
and transmission cooling and to help
A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
215
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Towing
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km)
. Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first
1,000 mi
(1,600 km).
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
5–10 mi
(12 –16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
218
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Driving Hints
•
Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING: Do not drive through
flowing or deep water as you may lose
control of your vehicle.
Note: Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so: •
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNING:
Use a floor mat
designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal
area. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Pedals that cannot
move freely can cause loss of vehicle
control and increase the risk of serious
personal injury. WARNING:
Secure the floor mat
to both retention devices so that it
cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Do not place
additional floor mats or any other
covering on top of the original floor mats.
This could result in the floor mat
interfering with the operation of the
pedals. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death.
219
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Driving HintsE266447
4. You can attempt to start the vehicle
by pressing the brake pedal and
START/STOP, or press START/STOP
without pressing the brake pedal.
5. If the vehicle does not start, repeat steps 1 through 4.
JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE WARNING:
Keep batteries out of
reach of children. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect
against possible splashing of acid
solution. In case of acid contact with skin
or eyes, flush immediately with water for
a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed,
call a physician immediately. WARNING:
Batteries normally
produce explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Therefore, do not
allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery.
When working near the battery, always
shield your face and protect your eyes.
Always provide correct ventilation. WARNING:
Use only the specified
jacking points. If you use other positions,
you may damage the body, steering,
suspension, engine, braking system or
the fuel lines. WARNING:
Use only adequately
sized cables with insulated clamps.
Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle's electrical system. To Connect the Booster Cables
Flat battery vehicle.
A
Booster battery vehicle.
B
Positive connection cable.
C
Negative connection cable.
D WARNING:
Make sure that the
cables are clear of any moving parts and
fuel delivery system parts.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood
of the disabled vehicle, making sure the
two vehicles do not touch.
1. Switch off the engine and any electrical
equipment.
223
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Roadside EmergenciesA
B
CD
E102925
Circuits protected
Fuse Rating
Fuse
Anti-lock brake system and electronic
stability program pump.
50A 1
F7
Electronic stability program valve.
30A 1
F8
Cooling fan (600 Watt)
40A 1
F9
Cooling fan (390 Watt).
50A 1
Heater blower motor.
40A 1
F10
Body control module power feed.
30A 1
F11
Voltage quality module.
Powertrain control module relay.
30A 1
F12
Starter relay.
30A 1
F13
Cooling fan (600 Watt).
25A 1
F14
Front cigar lighter or power outlet.
20A 1
F15
Front power window (without door control
unit).
25A 1
F16
Cooling fan (600 Watt).
40A 1
F17
Center power outlet.
20A 1
F18
Anti-lock brake system and electronic
stability program 15 feed.
5A 2
F19
Horn.
15A 2
F20
Stop light switch.
5A 2
F21
Battery monitor system.
15A 2
F22
Relay coils.
5A 2
F23
Light switch module.
5A 2
F24
Occupant classification system.
10A 2
F25
234
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Fuses
Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel
The fuse panel is on the right side below
the glove box. Circuits protected
Fuse Rating
Fuse
Fuel pump supply.
20A
F56
Not used.
—
F57
Interior lights relay.
5A
F58
Passive anti-theft transceiver.
5A
F59
Interior light.
10A
F60
Driver door switch pack.
Glove box light.
Overhead console switch bank.
Cigar lighter.
20A
F61
Power point.
Rain sensor module.
5A
F62
Light sensor module.
Front sensing module.
10A
F63
Forward looking radar.
237
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing FusesE129926
Circuits protected
Fuse Rating
Fuse
Not used.
—
F64
Liftgate release.
10A
F65
Driver door unlock.
20A
F66
SYNC.
7.5A
F67
Multifunction display.
Global positioning system module.
Not used (spare).
15A
F68
Instrument cluster.
5A
F69
Central lock and unlock supply.
20A
F70
Heating control head (manual air condi-
tioner).
7.5A
F71
Dual electronic automatic temperature
control.
Data link connector.
7.5A
F72
Steering wheel module.
7.5A
F73
Headlamp supply.
15A
F74
Fog lamp.
15A
F75
Reversing lamp.
10A
F76
Washer pump.
20A
F77
Ignition switch.
5A
F78
Start button.
Keyless vehicle module.
Radio.
15A
F79
Electronic finish panel.
Hazard light switch.
Door lock switch.
Moonroof supply.
20A
F80
Radio frequency receiver supply.
5A
F81
Panorama roof power/open.
Washer pump.
20A
F82
Central locking.
20A
F83
238
Escape (TM2) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Fuses