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2012 Ford Escape Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 204

2012 Ford Escape Manual

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Tires, Wheels and Loading Trailer towing tips • Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles. • To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or neutral (manual transmissions). • After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts. • If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective. • Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels. Launching or retrieving a boat Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed from the water. When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval: • Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. • Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components: • Causing internal damage to the components. • Affecting driveability, emissions and reliability. Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or repair required. RECREATIONAL TOWING Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a truck). Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the Climate Controls chapter for more information. 204 2012 Escape (204) Owners Guide, 1st Printing USA (fus)

Section	Page
Table of Contents	1
Introduction	4
Congratulations	4
Safety and Environment Protection	4
Warning symbols in this guide	4
Warning symbols on your vehicle	5
Protecting the environment	5
Perchlorate material	5
Breaking-in your vehicle	5
Special Notices	6
New Vehicle Limited Warranty	6
Special instructions	6
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles	6
Using your vehicle with a snowplow	6
Using your vehicle as an ambulance	6
Data Recording	7
Service Data Recording	7
Event Data Recording	7
Cell phone use	9
Export unique (Non–United States/Canada) vehicle specific information	9
Instrument Cluster	12
Warning lights and chimes	12
Gauges	17
Message center (if equipped)	20
Info	20
System check and vehicle feature customization	21
System warnings	24
Entertainment Systems	28
Audio systems	28
AM/FM single CD/MP3 satellite compatible sound system	28
Setting the clock	28
AM/FM Radio	29
RDS Radio	30
CD/MP3 Player	30
Satellite Radio (if equipped)	32
Sound Adjustments	35
Extra Features	36
Auxiliary input jack (Line in)	37
USB port (if equipped)	39
General audio information	39
Satellite radio information (if equipped)	42
Navigation system (if equipped)	45
SYNC (if equipped)	45
Climate Controls	46
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)	46
Operating tips	47
Dual automatic temperature control (if equipped)	49
Operating tips	51
Rear window defroster	52
Lights	53
Headlamp Control	53
Autolamp control (if equipped)	53
Autolamp delay system (if equipped)	53
Fog lamp control (if equipped)	54
High beams	54
Flash-to-pass	54
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)	55
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL	55
Aiming the headlamps	56
Vertical aim adjustment	56
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL	57
Interior Lamps	57
Dome lamps and map lamps	57
Cargo and dome lamp	58
Ambient lighting (if equipped)	59
Bulb Replacement	59
Lamp assembly condensation	59
Using the right bulbs	60
Replacing headlamp bulbs	60
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs	61
Replacing front sidemarker bulbs	62
Replacing tail/stop/turn/backup lamp bulbs	62
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs	62
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs	63
Replacing fog lamp bulbs (if equipped)	64
Driver Controls	65
Multi-function lever	65
Windshield wiper rainlamp feature (if equipped with autolamp)	65
Rear window wiper/washer controls	66
Tilt Steering Wheel	66
Illuminated visor mirror (if equipped)	67
Overhead console (if equipped)	67
Storage compartment (if equipped)	67
Electronic compass (if equipped)	68
Compass zone adjustment	68
Compass calibration adjustment	69
Center console	69
Auxiliary power point (12V DC)	70
Power Windows	71
One-touch down	72
Window lock	72
Accessory delay	72
Interior mirror	72
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)	72
Exterior Mirrors	73
Power side view mirrors	73
Blind spot mirrors	73
Fold-away mirrors	73
Heated outside mirrors (if equipped)	74
Speed control (if equipped)	74
Using speed control	74
Setting speed control	74
Disengaging speed control	75
Resuming a set speed	75
Increasing speed while using speed control	75
Reducing speed while using speed control	75
Turning off speed control	76
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)	76
Radio control features	76
MOON ROOF (IF EQUIPPED)	78
Universal garage door opener (if equipped)	79
Car2U Home Automation System (if equipped)	79
Types of garage door openers (rolling code and fixed code)	80
Rolling code programming	81
Fixed code programming	83
Erasing the Car2U Home Automation System buttons	85
FCC and RSS-210 Industry Canada Compliance	85
Positive Retention Floor Mat	86
Liftgate	87
Cargo Area Features	88
Cargo shade (if equipped)	88
Cargo management system (if equipped)	88
Passenger side cargo compartment	89
Roof Rack System (if equipped)	89
	90
To adjust the cross-bar (if equipped) position:	90
To remove the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) from the roof rack side rails:	90
To reinstall the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) to the roof rack side rails:	91
Locks and Security	92
Keys	92
MyKey	93
Power door locks	98
Door key unlocking/locking	98
Unlocking the doors	98
Locking the doors	98
Autolock	98
Deactivating/activating autolock	98
Power door unlock/lock procedure	99
Keyless entry keypad procedure	99
Message center procedure (if equipped)	100
Autounlock	100
Deactivating/activating autounlock	100
Power door lock switch autounlock enable/disable procedure	100
Keyless entry keypad autounlock enable/disable procedure	101
Message center procedure (if equipped)	101
Smart unlocking feature	101
Childproof door locks	102
Remote entry system	102
Two step door unlocking	103
One step door unlocking	103
Switching from two step to one step door unlocking	104
Locking the doors	104
Opening the liftgate glass (if equipped)	104
Car finder	104
Sounding a panic alarm	104
Replacing the battery	105
Replacing lost Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs)	105
How to reprogram your Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs)	105
Illuminated entry	106
Illuminated exit	106
SecuriCode™ keyless entry system (if equipped)	106
Programming your own personal entry code	106
Erasing personal code	107
Anti-scan feature	107
Unlocking and locking the doors and liftgate using keyless entry	108
Securilock passive anti-theft system	108
Anti-theft indicator	109
Automatic arming	109
Automatic disarming	109
Replacement of integrated keyhead transmitters (IKT) and coded keys	110
Programming spare keys	110
Seating and Safety Restraints	112
Front Seats	112
Adjustable head restraints	112
Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)	115
Using the manual lumbar support (if equipped)	115
Adjusting the front power seat (if equipped)	116
Heated seats (if equipped)	117
Rear seats	118
Second row adjustable head restraints	118
Folding down second row seats	121
Returning the second row seats to upright position	123
To remove the second row cushion	124
To install the second row cushion	124
Personal Safety System™	124
How does the Personal Safety System™ work?	125
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints	125
Front crash severity sensor	125
Driver’s seat position sensor	125
Front passenger sensing system	126
Front safety belt usage sensors	126
Front safety belt pretensioners	127
Safety belt energy management retractors	127
Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational	127
Safety Belt System	128
Combination lap and shoulder belts	129
Restraint of pregnant women	130
Energy Management Feature	130
Safety belt locking modes	130
Safety belt height adjustment	132
Safety belt pretensioner	132
Safety belt extension assembly	133
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime	133
Conditions of operation	133
Belt-Minder	134
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature	136
AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)	138
Important SRS precautions	138
Children and airbags	140
How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?	140
Front passenger sensing system	142
Determining if the system is operational	146
Seat-mounted side airbag system	147
How does the side airbag system work?	148
Determining if the system is operational	149
Safety Canopy System	150
How does the Safety Canopy System work?	151
Determining if the system is operational	153
SOS Post-Crash Alert System™	153
Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles (including pretensioners)	153
Safety restraints for children	154
Important child restraint precautions	154
Recommendations for attaching child safety restraints for children	156
Transporting children	157
Safety seats for children	158
Infant and/or toddler seats	158
Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts	159
Attaching child safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) attachments	162
Use of inboard lower anchors from the outboard seating positions (center seating use)	164
Combining safety belt and LATCH lower anchors for attaching child safety seats	164
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps	165
Child booster seats	167
When children should use booster seats	168
Types of booster seats	169
The importance of shoulder belts	170
Child restraint and safety belt maintenance	171
Tires, Wheels and Loading	172
Notice to utility vehicle and truck owners	172
Vehicle characteristics	173
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles	173
Information about uniform tire quality grading	174
Treadwear	175
Traction AA A B C	175
Temperature A B C	175
Tires	176
Glossary of tire terminology	176
Inflating your tires	177
Tire care	179
Inspecting your tires and wheel valve stems	179
Tire wear	179
Damage	179
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)	180
Tire replacement requirements	180
Safety practices	182
Highway hazards	182
Tire and wheel alignment	183
Tire rotation	183
Information contained on the tire sidewall	184
Information on “P” type tires	184
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for “LT” type tires	187
Information on “T” type tires	188
Location of the tire label	188
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)	189
Changing tires with a TPMS	190
Understanding your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)	190
When your temporary spare tire is installed	190
When you believe your system is not operating properly	191
When inflating your tires	192
How temperature affects your tire pressure	192
Snow tires and cables	193
Vehicle loading – with and without a trailer	194
Special loading instructions for owners of pick-up trucks and utility-type vehicles	200
Trailer towing	201
Preparing to tow	202
Hitches	202
Safety chains	202
Trailer brakes	203
Trailer lamps	203
Driving while you tow	203
Trailer towing tips	204
Launching or retrieving a boat	204
Recreational towing	204
Driving	206
Starting	206
Positions of the ignition	206
Preparing to start your vehicle	206
Important safety precautions	207
Starting the engine	209
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)	209
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible fuel vehicles only)	210
Guarding against exhaust fumes	210
Important ventilating information	210
Engine block heater (if equipped)	210
Brakes	212
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)	213
Using ABS	213
ABS warning lamp	213
Brake over accelerator	213
Parking brake	214
AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) stability enhancement system	215
Steering	221
Preparing to drive	222
Brake-shift interlock	222
Automatic transmission operation (if equipped)	224
Automatic transmission adaptive learning	224
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic transmission	224
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow	226
Manual transmission operation (if equipped)	226
Using the clutch	226
Recommended shift speeds	227
Reverse	227
Parking your vehicle	228
Reverse sensing system (if equipped)	228
Rearview camera system (if equipped)	230
Active park assist (APA) (if equipped)	232
Blind spot mirrors	237
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) system (if equipped)	238
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles	238
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles	238
Basic operating principles	238
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement	239
If your vehicle gets stuck	239
Emergency maneuvers	240
Sand	240
Mud and water	241
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain	242
Driving on snow and ice	243
Maintenance and modifications	243
Driving through water	244
Roadside Emergencies	245
Roadside Assistance	245
Vehicles sold in the U.S. : Getting roadside assistance	245
Vehicles sold in the U.S. : Using roadside assistance	246
Vehicles sold in Canada : Getting roadside assistance	246
Vehicles sold in Canada : Using roadside assistance	246
Hazard Flasher Control	246
Fuel pump shut-off switch	247
Fuses and relays	247
Fuses	247
Standard fuse amperage rating and color	248
Passenger compartment fuse panel	248
Power distribution box	251
Changing the tires	254
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information	255
Stopping and securing the vehicle	257
Removing the jack and tools	257
Removing the spare tire or spare tire and tether (if equipped)	258
Tire change procedure	259
Stowing the jack and tools	262
Stowing the flat/spare tire	263
Wheel lug nut torque specifications	264
Running out of fuel	264
Jump starting	265
Preparing your vehicle	265
Connecting the jumper cables	266
Jump starting	267
Removing the jumper cables	267
Wrecker towing	268
Emergency towing	269
Customer Assistance	270
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED	270
Away from home	270
Additional assistance	271
In California (U.S. only)	272
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. only)	273
Utilizing The Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada only)	274
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA	274
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE	276
Obtaining a French Owner’s Guide	276
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)	277
Reporting safety defects (Canada only)	277
Cleaning	278
Washing the exterior	278
Waxing	278
Paint chips	279
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers	279
Engine	279
Plastic (non-painted) exterior parts	281
Windows and wiper blades	281
Instrument panel/Interior trim and cluster lens	282
Interior	283
Leather seats (if equipped)	283
Underbody	284
Ford and Lincoln car care products	284
Maintenance and Specifications	285
Service recommendations	285
Precautions when servicing your vehicle	285
Working with the engine off	285
Working with the engine on	285
Opening the hood	286
Identifying components in the engine compartment	287
Windshield washer fluid	289
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate	289
Changing the wiper blades	290
Changing rear window wiper blade	291
Engine oil	291
Checking the engine oil	291
Adding engine oil	293
Engine oil and filter recommendations	294
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil	294
Battery	295
Engine coolant	297
Checking engine coolant	297
Adding engine coolant	298
Recycled engine coolant	300
Coolant refill capacity	300
Severe climates	301
What you should know about fail-safe cooling	301
How fail-safe cooling works	301
When fail-safe mode is activated	302
Fuel Filter	303
What you should know about automotive fuels	303
Important safety precautions	303
Refueling	305
Easy Fuel “no cap” fuel system	306
Flex fuel vehicle (FFV) fuel fill inlet	307
Choosing the right fuel	307
Octane recommendations	307
FFV engine (if equipped)	307
Fuel quality	308
Cleaner air	308
Running out of fuel	308
Refilling with a portable fuel container	309
Essentials of good fuel economy	310
Measuring techniques	310
Filling the tank	310
Calculating fuel economy	311
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits	312
Habits	312
Maintenance	312
Conditions	313
Emission control system	313
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)	314
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing	315
Brake/clutch fluid	316
Transmission fluid	316
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)	316
Low fluid level	317
Correct fluid level	317
High fluid level	317
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels	318
Checking transmission fluid level for recreational flat tow operation	318
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)	319
Air filter	319
Vehicle storage	321
Motorcraft part numbers	323
Maintenance product specifications and capacities	324
Engine data	327
Engine drivebelt routing	327
Identifying your vehicle	328
Safety Compliance Certification Label	328
Vehicle identification number (VIN)	328
Transmission code designations	329
Accessories	330
Ford Custom Accessories for your vehicle	330
Exterior style	330
Interior style	330
Lifestyle	330
Peace of mind	331
Ford Extended Service Plan	332
Ford ESP Extended Service Plans (U.S. Only)	332
Ford ESP Extended Service Plans (Canada Only)	335
Scheduled Maintenance	336
General maintenance information	336
Why maintain your vehicle?	336
Protecting your investment	336
Oils, fluids and flushing	337
Genuine Ford parts and service	338
Convenience	338
Factory-trained technicians	338
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft replacement parts	338
Value shopping for your vehicle’s maintenance needs	338
Owner checks and services	339
Multi-point inspection	340
Normal scheduled maintenance and log	342
Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™	342
Maintenance schedule log	345
Special operating conditions	348
Special operating condition log	351
Exceptions	353
Engine coolant change record	354
Engine coolant change log	354

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Trailer towing tips

•

Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to

get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make

wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.

•

To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot

weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)

(automatic transmission) or neutral (manual transmissions).

•

After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your

hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.

•

If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do

not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become

less effective.

•

Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must

park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.

Launching or retrieving a boat

Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer

into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the

trailer is removed from the water.

When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:

•

Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of

the rear bumper.

•

Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the

bottom edge of the rear bumper.

Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:

•

Causing internal damage to the components.

•

Affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.

Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in

water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed

unless a leak is suspected or repair required.

RECREATIONAL TOWING

Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow

your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a

truck).

Note:

Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to

prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the

Climate

Controls

chapter for more information.

Tires, Wheels and Loading

204

2012 Escape

(204)

Owners Guide, 1st Printing

USA

(fus)