2011 Ford Escape Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 320

Maintenance and Specifications 1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating temperature. 2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake. 3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage. 4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running. 5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If necessary, refer to Identifying components in the engine compartment in this chapter for the location of the dipstick. 6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube. 7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in the operating range for normal operating temperature. Low fluid level Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid level is at the bottom of the dipstick and the outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). DO NOT ADD ADD (CHECK HOT) Correct fluid level The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures 185°F-200°F (85°C-93°C) on a level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving. The transmission fluid should be in the zone, identified by the arrow in this figure, if at normal operating temperature 185°F-200°F (85°C-93°C). DO NOT ADD ADD (CHECK HOT) High fluid level Fluid levels above the zone, identified by the arrows in this figure, may result in transmission failure. An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage. 320 DO NOT ADD ADD (CHECK HOT) 2011 Escape (204) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)