check engine FORD ESCAPE 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire pressure
warning
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
11

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately by your authorized dealer.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

Check fuel cap:Illuminates when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
Without message center
With message center
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your authorized dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer.
Anti-lock brake system:
Illuminates indicating an ABS fault.
If the lamp stays on for more than a
few seconds, then an ABS fault is
indicated, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional
unless the brake warning light also is illuminated.
!
BRAKE
ABS
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

Liftgate ajar Warning returns after the
ignition key is turned from
OFF to ON. Service emission sys
Check fuel cap
Low brake fluid
Service brake system
Check left headlamp
Check right headlamp
Check left high beam
Check right high beam
Check left turn lamps
Check right turn lamps
Engine change oil soon
Engine oil change now
Low fuel
Service 4WD
Turn signal on
4WD locked temporarily (if equipped) Temporary alert
4WD disabled temporarily (if equipped)
4WD auto restored (if equipped)
HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger door is not
completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the rear right door is not
completely closed.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
67

LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate or liftgate glass is not
completely closed. Press SET to reset display.
PARK BRAKE ON.Displayed when the park brake is on. If the warning
stays on after the park brake is off, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
SERVICE EMISSION SYS.Displayed when the engine has defaulted to
a ’limp-home’ operation. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK LEFT OR RIGHT HEADLAMPS.Displayed when the
headlamps are activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer to
Replacing headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
CHECK LEFT OR RIGHT HIGH BEAMS.Displayed when the
headlamps are activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer to
Replacing headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
CHECK LEFT OR RIGHT TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn
signals are activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as
soon as safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
LOW FUEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
SERVICE 4WD.Displayed when the 4X4 is not operating properly. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL ON.Displayed when the turn signal is activated and the
vehicle is driven more that 0.8 km (1/2 mile).
4WD LOCKED TEMPORARILY (if equipped).Displayed when the
4X4 is temporarily locked. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
4WD DISABLED TEMPORARILY (if equipped).Displayed when the
4X4 is temporarily disabled. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
4WD AUTO RESTORED (if equipped).Displayed when the 4X4 is
restored to normal operations.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON/ENGINE OIL CHANGE NOW.
Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is 5% or less. When oil life
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
68

left is between 5% and 0%, the ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON message
will be displayed. When oil life left reaches 0%, the ENGINE OIL
CHANGE NOW message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 12 months] perform the
following:
1. Press the SET control to access
the system check function.
2. Press and release the SET control
to display “OIL CHNG XXX% HOLD
SET NEW”.
3. Press and hold the SET control
for 2 seconds to display “OIL
CHANGE SET TO 100%”.
INFO UNAVAIL.These messages indicate improper operation of the
vehicle network communication systems for the following vehicle
modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Door sensor
•Brakes
•Exterior lamps
•Emissions system
•4WD info
Contact your Ford Dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on
a regular basis.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
69

•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transmissionin theDriving chapter.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance
Informationfor more information.
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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•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.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•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 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
167

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
P
R
N
D
2
1
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
170

Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician as soon as possible.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your dealer.
!
BRAKE
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
174

•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the
steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
2006 Escape(204)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
175