2021 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

LOCATING THE BRAKE FLUID
RESERVOIR
See Under Hood Overview (page 335).
CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING:
Do not use any fluid
other than the recommended brake fluid
as this will reduce brake efficiency. Use
of incorrect fluid could result in the loss
of vehicle control, serious personal injury
or death. WARNING:
Only use brake fluid
from a sealed container. Contamination
with dirt, water, petroleum products or
other materials may result in brake
system damage or failure. Failure to
adhere to this warning could result in the
loss of vehicle control, serious personal
injury or death. WARNING:
Do not allow the fluid
to touch your skin or eyes. If this
happens, rinse the affected areas
immediately with plenty of water and
contact your physician. WARNING:
The brake system
could be affected if the brake fluid level
is below the MIN mark or above the MAX
mark on the brake fluid reservoir. 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: 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 407).
BRAKE FLUID SPECIFICATION
See Brake Fluid Specification (page 407).
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing BrakesE170684

BRAKES –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Brakes – Warning Lamps
If the ABS indicator illuminates
when you are driving, this
indicates a malfunction. Your
vehicle continues to have normal braking
without the anti-lock braking system
function. See an authorized dealer.
It also momentarily illuminates when you
switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp
is functional. If it does not illuminate when
you switch the ignition on, or begins to
flash at any time, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. The brake indicator momentarily
illuminates when you switch the
ignition on to confirm the lamp
is functional. It may also illuminate when
you apply the parking brake and the
ignition is on. If it illuminates when your
vehicle is moving, make sure the parking
brake is disengaged. If the parking brake
is disengaged, this indicates low brake fluid
level or a brake system fault. See an
authorized dealer.
Brakes – Frequently Asked
Questions
Is brake dust on the wheels normal?
Brake dust could 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 Wheels (page 353). Will wet driving conditions effect my
braking abilities?
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.
Is brake noise considered normal? 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.
When should you replace the brake
fluid? 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.
See
Normal Scheduled Maintenance
(page
490).
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Brakes E270480

WHAT IS THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake is used to hold
your vehicle on slopes and flat roads.
APPLYING THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift
into park (P). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake
system. WARNING:
The electric parking
brake does not operate if the vehicle
battery has run out of charge. The electronic parking brake
switch is on the center console.
1. Pull the switch up.
The red warning lamp flashes during
operation and illuminates when the parking
brake is applied.
Note: You can apply the electric parking
brake when the power is off.
Note: The electric parking brake could
apply when you shift into park (P).
See Park
(P) (page 210). APPLYING THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE IN AN
EMERGENCY
You can use the electric parking brake to
slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
1. Pull the switch up and hold it.
The electric parking brake continues to
slow your vehicle down unless you release
the switch.
The red warning lamp illuminates, a tone
sounds and the stoplamps turn on when
you use the electric parking brake in an
emergency.
Note:
Do not apply the electric parking
brake when your vehicle is moving, except
in an emergency.
MANUALLY RELEASING THE
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
1. Switch the ignition on.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push the switch down.
The red warning lamp turns off.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a
Trailer
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Pull the switch upward and hold it.
3. Shift into gear.
4. Press the accelerator pedal until engine
has developed sufficient torque to
prevent your vehicle from rolling down
the hill.
5. Release the switch and pull away in a normal manner.
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Electric Parking BrakeE267156

AUTOMATICALLY RELEASING
THE ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE
1. Close the driver door.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Press the accelerator pedal and pull
away in a normal manner.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
AUDIBLE WARNING
Sounds when the parking brake is on and
your vehicle is moving. If the warning tone
continues after you have released the
parking brake, this indicates a malfunction.
Have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
RELEASING THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE IF THE
VEHICLE BATTERY HAS RUN
OUT OF CHARGE
See Jump Starting the Vehicle (page
316). ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Electric Parking Brake – Warning
Lamps
Brake System It illuminates red when you apply
the parking brake and your
vehicle is on. If the lamp flashes
when the parking brake has been
released, this indicates the
parking brake system requires
service. Have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible.
Note: Lamps may vary depending on region.
Electric Parking Brake When the lamp illuminates
yellow, it indicates a malfunction
in the electric parking brake.
Have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
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Electric Parking Brake – Information Messages
Park Brake
Action
Message
The parking brake is set, if the vehicle is in gear and you driveyour vehicle more than 3 mph (5 km/h). If the warning stays
on after the parking brake is released, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Park Brake Engaged
The electric parking brake is set and a manual release isattempted without the brake pedal being pressed.
To Release: Press Brake
and Switch
The electric parking brake is set and an automatic release isattempted but cannot be performed. Perform a manual release.
Park Brake Use Switch
to Release
The electric parking brake is set and your vehicle speed
exceeds 3 mph (5 km/h). Release park brake before continued driving.
Release Park Brake
The electric parking brake is not fully applied.
Park Brake Not Applied
The electric parking brake is not fully released.
Park Brake Not Released
The electric parking brake system has been put into a special
mode that is used to allow service of the rear brakes. Contactan authorized dealer.
Park Brake Maintenance
Mode
The electric park brake system has detected a condition thatrequires service. Some functionality may still be available. Contact your authorized dealer.
Park Brake Limited
Function Service Required
The electric parking brake system has detected a conditionthat requires service. Contact your authorized dealer.
Park Brake Malfunction
Service Now
Numerous park brake applies have overheated the system.Wait 2 minutes before attempting to apply again.
Park Brake System
Overheated
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Electric Parking Brake

WHAT IS HILL START ASSIST
Hill Start Assist makes it easier for you to
pull away when your vehicle is on a slope
without using the parking brake.
HOW DOES HILL START
ASSIST WORK
When the system activates, your vehicle
remains stationary for a few seconds after
you release the brake pedal. This gives you
time to move your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator pedal. The brakes
release when the engine has developed
sufficient torque to prevent your vehicle
from rolling down the slope.
HILL START ASSIST
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system turns off if
there is a malfunction or if you
excessively rev the engine. HILL START ASSIST –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Hill Start Assist – Information
Messages Action
Message
Displays when
system is not avail- able. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Hill Start Assist Not
Available
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Hill Start Assist

HOW DOES AUTO HOLD WORK
Auto Hold applies the brakes to hold your
vehicle after you stop it and release the
brake pedal. This can help when waiting
on a hill or in traffic.
SWITCHING AUTO HOLD ON
AND OFF
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death.
You can switch the system on or off by
accessing the menu in the SYNC display
screen.
1. Press
Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press
Driver Assistance.
Note: You can only switch the system on
after you close the driver door, and fasten
your seatbelt.
Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: Make sure you switch the system off
before using an automatic car wash.
USING AUTO HOLD
1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop. The auto hold active indicator
illuminates in the information display. 2. Release the brake pedal. The system
holds your vehicle at a standstill. The
auto hold active indicator remains
illuminated in the information display.
3. Pull away in the normal manner. The system releases the brakes and the
auto hold active indicator switches off.
Note: The system only activates if you
apply enough brake pressure on the brake
pedal.
Note: Under certain conditions, the system
could apply the electric parking brake. The
brake system warning lamp illuminates. The
electric parking brake releases when you
press the accelerator pedal. See
Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake
(page 225).
Note: The system switches off if you shift
into reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
There could be actions that can cause the
auto hold system not to work when the
following occur:
• When you use active park assist.
• Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
• The driver door is open.
• You have not fastened your seatbelt.
• You shift into reverse (R) before the
system is active.
AUTO HOLD INDICATORS Illuminates when the system is
active.
Illuminates when the system is
on but cannot hold your vehicle
at a standstill at this particular
time.
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Escape (CTC) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 02-11-2020, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Auto HoldE323448 E323449

HOW DOES TRACTION
CONTROL WORK
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces power at the
same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces power in order to
increase traction.
SWITCHING TRACTION
CONTROL ON AND OFF
WARNING: The stability and
traction control light illuminates steadily
if the system detects a failure. Make sure
you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead
to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.
The traction control system turns on each
time you switch the power on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin. Note:
When you switch traction control off,
stability control remains fully active.
Your vehicle could have MyKey restrictions
regarding this feature. See
What Is
MyKey (page 64).
TRACTION CONTROL
INDICATOR TRACTION CONTROL –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Traction Control – Warning Lamps
System Messages
The traction control light
temporarily illuminates on
start-up and flashes:
• When a driving condition activates
The traction control off light temporarily
illuminates on start-up and stays on:
• When you switch the traction control
system off.
• When you select an alternative stability
control mode.
• If a problem occurs in the system.
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