2020 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

1. Park your vehicle on a level surface.
2. Look at the brake fluid reservoir to see
where the brake fluid level is relative
to the MIN and the MAX marks on the
reservoir.
Note: If the brake fluid level is between the
MIN
and the MAX marks on the reservoir, it
is acceptable.
Note: If the brake fluid level is below the
MIN
mark or above the MAX mark, have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: To avoid fluid contamination, the
reservoir cap must remain in place and fully
tight, unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets our
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 376).
Brake Fluid Service Interval
Brake fluid absorbs water over time which
degrades the effectiveness of the brake
fluid. Change the brake fluid at the
specified intervals to prevent degraded
braking performance. For detailed interval information, see
Scheduled Maintenance in your Owner's
Manual or your local maintenance guide.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering (EPS) system. There is no
fluid reservoir to check or fill.
CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY
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:
When lifting a
plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure
on the end walls could cause acid to flow
through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a
battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners. 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.
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WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash your hands
after handling
. WARNING:
For vehicles with
Auto-Start-Stop the battery requirement
is different. You must replace the battery
with one of exactly the same
specification.
The battery is in the engine compartment.
See
Under Hood Overview (page 315).
Your vehicle has a maintenance-free
battery. It does not require additional
water during service.
If the vehicle battery has a cover, make
sure you correctly install it after cleaning
or replacing the battery.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the
top of the battery clean and dry and the
battery cables tightly fastened to the
battery terminals. If any corrosion is
present on the battery or terminals, remove
the cables from the terminals and clean
with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and
water.
We recommend that you disconnect the
negative battery cable terminal from the
battery if you plan to store your vehicle for
an extended period.
Note: If you only disconnect the negative
battery cable terminal, make sure it is
isolated or placed away from the battery
terminal to avoid unintended connection or
arcing. To maintain correct operation of the
battery management system, if you add
any electrical devices to your vehicle, do
not connect the ground connection directly
to the negative battery terminal. A
connection at the negative battery terminal
can cause inaccurate measurements of
the battery condition and potential
incorrect system operation.
Note:
If you add electrical accessories or
components to your vehicle this may
adversely affect battery performance,
durability and the performance of other
electrical systems on your vehicle.
If you replace the battery make sure it
matches the electrical requirements of
your vehicle.
If you disconnect or replace the battery
and your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, it must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Because of this, the transmission
may shift firmly when first driven. This is
normal operation while the transmission
fully updates its operation to optimum
shift feel.
Remove and Reinstall the Battery
To disconnect or remove the battery, do
the following:
1. Apply the parking brake and switch the
ignition off.
2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for
example lights and radio.
3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before
disconnecting the battery.
Note: The engine management system has
a power hold function and remains powered
for a period of time after you switch the
ignition off. This is to allow diagnostic and
adaptive tables to be stored. Disconnecting
the battery without waiting can cause
damage not covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
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4. Disconnect the negative battery cable
terminal.
5. Disconnect the positive battery cable terminal.
6. Remove the battery securing clamp.
7. Remove the battery.
8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Note: Before reconnecting the battery,
make sure the ignition remains switched off.
Note: Make sure the battery cable terminals
are fully tightened.
If you disconnect or replace the vehicle
battery, you must reset the following
features:
• Window bounce-back. See Windows
and Mirrors (page 93).
• Clock Settings.
• Pre-set radio stations.
• Steering Angle Sensor.
Note: To calibrate the steering angle
sensor, drive the vehicle above
30 mph
(50 km/h) for a minimum of 1.2 mi (2 km).
Make sure to drive straight ahead for a
minimum of 30 seconds. Several vehicle
functions are disabled and a warning light
could appear until the sensor is calibrated.
Note: For flexible fuel vehicles, if you are
operating on E85, you could experience poor
starts or an inability to start the engine, and
driveability problems until the fuel trim and
ethanol content have been relearned. Drive
the vehicle at least
10 mi (16 km) to
completely relearn the idle trim and fuel
trim strategy.
Battery Disposal Make sure that you dispose of
old batteries in an
environmentally friendly way.
Seek advice from your local authority
about recycling old batteries. ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
Vertical Aim Adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle are
properly aimed at the assembly plant. If
your vehicle has been in an accident, the
alignment of your headlamps should be
checked by your authorized dealer.
8 feet (2.4 meters)
A
Center height of lamp to ground
B
25 feet (7.6 meters)
C
Horizontal reference line
D
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately
25 ft (7.6 m) away.
2. Measure the height of the headlamp bulb center from the ground and mark
an
8 ft (2.4 m) horizontal reference line
on the vertical wall or screen at this
height.
Note: To see a clearer light pattern for
adjusting, you may want to block the light
from one headlamp when adjusting the
other.
3. Switch on the low beam headlamps to
illuminate the wall or screen and open
the hood.
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4. On the wall or screen you will observe
a flat zone of high intensity light
located at the top of the right hand
portion of the beam pattern. If the top
edge of the high intensity light zone is
not at the horizontal reference line, the
headlamp does need to be adjusted. 5. Locate the vertical adjuster on each
headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise or counterclockwise in order
to aim the headlamp. The horizontal
edge of the brighter light should touch
the horizontal reference line.
6. Close the hood and switch off the lamps.
Horizontal Aim Adjustment
Horizontal aim is not required for this
vehicle and is non-adjustable. WASHER FLUID CHECK WARNING: If you operate your
vehicle in temperatures below 41.0°F
(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold
weather could result in impaired
windshield vision and increase the risk
of injury or accident.
Note: The front and rear washer systems
are supplied from the same reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is
low. Only use a washer fluid that meets
our specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 376).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use
of methanol, a common windshield washer
antifreeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle ’s paint finish, wiper blades or
washer system.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime
fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel
tank. Regular maintenance or replacement
is not needed.
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CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES
Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade to check for roughness.
Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid
or water applied with a soft sponge or
cloth.
CHANGING THE WIPER
BLADES
Clean the wiper blades and the windshield
to improve wiper performance.
Note:
Do not move the wiper arm when the
ignition is on as it may cause damage to the
wiper motor.
Replace the wiper blades at least annually
for optimum performance.
Front Wiper Blades 1. Lift the wiper arm and then press the
wiper blade locking buttons together.
Note: Do not hold the wiper blade when
lifting the wiper arm.
Note: Make sure that the wiper arm does
not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.
2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Install in the reverse order.
Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place.
Rear Window Wiper Blade 1. Lift the wiper arm.
Note:
Do not hold the wiper blade when
lifting the wiper arm.
Note: Make sure that the wiper arm does
not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.
2. Remove the wiper blade.
Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place.
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CHANGING A BULB
Replacing Headlamp Bulbs
WARNING: Make sure the bulbs
have cooled down before removing
them. Failure to follow this warning could
result in serious personal injury.
Note: Handle a halogen headlamp bulb
carefully and keep out of children ’s reach.
Grasp the bulb by only its plastic base and
do not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the next
time you operate the headlamps.
Note: If you accidentally touch the bulb,
clean it with rubbing alcohol before using it.
Headlamp Park/Turn lamp
A
High beam headlamp
B
Low beam headlamp
C High beam headlamp
1. Remove service cap.
2. Remove the bulb from the headlamp
assembly by turning it
counterclockwise, then pull it straight
out.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Low beam headlamp 1. Remove service cap.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
3. Remove the bulb from the headlamp
assembly by turning it
counterclockwise, then pull it straight
out.
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4. To install, reverse the removal
procedure.
Park/Turn lamp 1. Remove service cap, if applicable.
2. Remove bulb from the headlamp
assembly by turning it
counterclockwise, then pull it straight
out.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
LED Bulbs (If Equipped)
LED lamps are not serviceable items. See
an authorized dealer if they fail.
Replacing Fog Lamp Bulbs
1. If you are replacing the driver side bulb,
turn the steering wheel all the way to
the right. If you are replacing the
passenger side bulb, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the left. 2. Remove the six lower splash shield
push pins and pull the splash shield
back. 3. Disconnect the bulb electrical
connector.
4. To remove the bulb from the headlamp
assembly, turn it counterclockwise,
then pull it straight out.
5. To install, perform these steps in reverse order.
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Replacing Direction Indicator
Bulbs
Direction Indicator
A
Side marker
B 1. Make sure the headlamp control is in
the off position and open the liftgate.
2. Remove the bolt cover using a standard flat tip screwdriver.
3. Remove the bolt from the lamp assembly.
4. Gently pull the lamp assembly away from the vehicle in an outboard
direction.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector. 6.
Remove the direction indicator bulb by
turning the lower bulb socket
counterclockwise. Gently pull the bulb
straight out of the socket.
7. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Replacing Reverse Lamp Assembly
Bulbs 1. Remove the screws with a flathead
screwdriver and pull the lamp
assembly away from the vehicle.
2. Remove the bulb by turning the lower bulb socket counterclockwise. Gently
pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
3. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Replacing License Plate Lamp
Bulbs
License plate lamps are LED and are not
serviceable. See an authorized dealer if
they fail.
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