towing FORD ESCAPE 2015 3.G Owners Manual

Refueling..........................................................134
Fuel Consumption........................................135
Emission Control System..........................136
Transmission
Automatic Transmission............................139
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation.................................142
Using Four-Wheel Drive.............................142
Brakes
General Information
....................................147
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes...........................................................147
Parking Brake
.................................................148
Hill Start Assist..............................................148
Traction Control
Principle of Operation................................149
Using Traction Control...............................149
Stability Control
Principle of Operation................................150
Using Stability Control.................................151
Parking Aids
Parking Aid......................................................152
Active Park Assist
.........................................154
Rear View Camera
.......................................158
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................161
Using Cruise Control.....................................161
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Information System..............162
Eco Mode
........................................................166
Steering............................................................166 Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage.........................168
Luggage Covers
.............................................168
Roof Racks and Load Carriers.................169
Load Limit........................................................170
Towing
Towing a Trailer..............................................178
Trailer Sway Control.....................................179
Recommended Towing Weights
.............179
Essential Towing Checks
............................181
Towing Points
................................................183
Transporting the Vehicle...........................184
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......185
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.....................................................186
Economical Driving
......................................186
Driving Through Water................................187
Floor Mats........................................................187
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance..................................189
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........................190
Fuel Shutoff
...................................................190
Jump Starting the Vehicle..........................191
Post-Crash Alert System...........................193
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need...............194
In California (U.S. Only).............................195
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only)......................196
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)
........................196
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................197
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature.....................................................198
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents

Front Exterior Overview
See Locking and Unlocking (page 58). See Keyless Entry (page 65).
A
See
Changing the Wiper Blades (page 221).
B
See
Maintenance (page 210).
C
See
Towing Points (page 183).
D
See
Changing a Bulb (page 224).
E
Tire pressures. See
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 255).
F
See
Changing a Road Wheel (page 258).
G
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing At a GlanceE178121

Variations:
Note:
The low fuel warning and distance-to-empty warning can appear at different fuel
gauge positions depending on fuel economy conditions. This variation is normal. Distance-to-empty
Fuel gauge position
Driving type (fuel economy
conditions)
35 miles to 80 miles (56 kmto 129 km)
1/16th
Highway driving
35 miles (16 km to 56 km)
1/16th-1/4
Severe duty driving (trailer
towing, extended idle)
WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS
The following warning lamps and
indicators will alert you to a vehicle
condition that may become serious. Some
lamps will illuminate when you start your
vehicle to make sure they work. If any
lamps remain on after starting your vehicle,
refer to the respective system warning
lamp for further information.
Note: Some warning indicators appear in
the information display and function the
same as a warning lamp but do not display
when you start your vehicle.
Airbag - Front If it fails to illuminate when you
start your vehicle, continues to
flash or remains on, it indicates
a malfunction. Have the system checked
by your authorized dealer. Anti-Lock Braking System If it illuminates when you are
driving, this indicates a
malfunction. You will continue
to have the normal braking system
(without ABS) unless the brake system
warning lamp is also illuminated. Have the
system checked by your authorized dealer.
Battery If it illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction. Switch
off all unnecessary electrical
equipment and have the system checked
by your authorized dealer immediately.
Blind Spot Monitor (If Equipped) It will illuminate when you switch
this feature off or in conjunction
with a message. See Blind Spot
Information System
(page 162). See
Information Messages (page 93).
Brake System It will illuminate when you
engage the parking brake with
the ignition on.
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Instrument Cluster E124823 E138644

The system uses three types of guides to
help you see what is behind your vehicle:
•
Active guidelines: Show the intended
path of your vehicle when reversing.
• Fixed guidelines: Show the actual path
your vehicle is moving in while reversing
in a straight line. This can be helpful
when backing into a parking space or
aligning your vehicle with another
object behind you.
• Centerline: Helps align the center of
your vehicle with an object (for
example, a trailer).
Note: If the transmission is in reverse (R)
and the luggage compartment is ajar, no
rear view camera features will display.
Note: When towing, the camera only sees
what is towed behind your vehicle. This
might not provide adequate coverage as it
usually provides in normal operation and
some objects might not be seen. In some
vehicles, the guidelines may disappear once
the trailer tow connector is engaged.
Note: The camera may not operate
correctly under the following conditions:
• Nighttime or dark areas if one or both
reverse lamps are not operating.
• Mud, water or debris obstructs the
camera's view. Clean the lens with a
soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive
cleaner.
• The rear of your vehicle is hit or
damaged, causing the camera to
become misaligned.
To access any of the rear view camera
system settings, make the following
selections in the multifunctional display
when the transmission is not in reverse (R):
• With Touch Screen: Settings > Vehicle
> Camera Settings
• Without Touch Screen: Menu > Camera
Settings Camera Guidelines
Note:
Active guidelines are only available
when the transmission is in reverse (R). Active guidelines
A
Centerline
B
Fixed guideline: Green zone
C
Fixed guideline: Yellow zone
D
Fixed guideline: Red zone
E
Rear bumper
F
Active guidelines only show with fixed
guidelines. To use active guidelines, turn
the steering wheel to point the guidelines
toward an intended path. If the steering
wheel position changes while reversing,
your vehicle might deviate from the original
intended path.
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Parking AidsABCD
F
E
E142436

Reasons for messages displaying
Clean the fascia area in
front of the radar or remove the obstruction.
The radar
surface is dirty or
obstructed
Drive normally in traffic for
a few minutes to allow the radar to detect passing
vehicles so it can clear the blocked state.
The radar
surface is
not dirty or
obstructed
No action required. Thesystem automatically
resets to an unblocked
state once the rainfall or
snowfall rate decreases or stops. Do not use BLIS or
Cross Traffic Alert in these conditions.
Heavy rain-
fall or
snowfall
interferes with the radar
signals
System Limitations
The Blind Spot Information and Cross
Traffic Alert systems do have their
limitations; situations such as severe
weather conditions or debris build-up on
the sensor area may limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that may
limit the Blind Spot Information System:
• Certain maneuvering of vehicles
entering and exiting the blind zone.
• Vehicles passing through the blind zone
at very fast rates.
• When several vehicles forming a
convoy pass through the blind zone.
The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert system:
• Adjacently parked vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.
• Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h). •
Driving in reverse faster than
3 mph
(5 km/h).
• Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note: If your vehicle has a factory equipped
tow bar and it is towing a trailer, the sensors
detect the trailer and turn the Blind Spot
Information System off to avoid false alerts.
For non-factory equipped tow bars, you may
want to turn the Blind Spot Information
System off manually.
There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by either the Blind Spot
Information or the Cross Traffic Alert
systems that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.
System Errors
If either system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the Blind Spot
Information System telltale illuminates
and a message appears in the information
display. See
Information Messages
(page 93).
All other system faults display only with a
message in the information display.
Switching the Systems Off and On
You can temporarily switch off one or both
systems in the information display. See
(page 90). When you switch off the Blind
Spot Information System, you will not
receive alerts and the information display
will flash the yellow alert indicator twice.
The system switches back on whenever
you switch the ignition on.
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids

Cargo Weight - includes all
weight added to the Base Curb
Weight, including cargo and
optional equipment. When towing,
trailer tongue load or king pin
weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) -
is
the total weight placed on each
axle (front and rear) including
vehicle curb weight and all
payload. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) -
is the maximum
allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or
rear). These numbers are shown
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. The label shall
be affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver seating
position. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
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Note:
For trailer towing
information refer to the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at
an authorized dealer. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) -
is the Vehicle Curb Weight, plus
cargo, plus passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) - is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully
loaded vehicle (including all
options, equipment, passengers
and cargo). It is shown on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The label shall be affixed
to either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver seating position.
The Gross Vehicle Weight must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating.
Example only: 173
Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Load CarryingE143818GVW E142523

WARNING
Exceeding the Safety
Compliance Certification
Label vehicle weight rating limits
could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance,
engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of
control and personal injury. GCW (Gross Combined Weight)
- is the Gross Vehicle Weight plus
the weight of the fully loaded
trailer. GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating) - is the maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
and the loaded trailer, including
all cargo and passengers, that the
vehicle can handle without risking
damage. (Important: The towing
vehicle
’s braking system is rated
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Load CarryingE142524 E143819GCW
GVW

for operation at Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at Gross
Combined Weight Rating.)
Separate functional brakes should
be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the
Gross Combined Weight of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating of the towing vehicle.
The
Gross Combined Weight must
never exceed the Gross
Combined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight - is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with mandatory options,
driver and front passenger weight
(150 pounds [68 kilograms]
each), no cargo weight (internal
or external) and a tongue load of
10– 15% (conventional trailer) or
king pin weight of 15– 25% (fifth
wheel trailer). Consult an
authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at
an authorized dealer) for more
detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel
King Pin Weight -
refers to the
amount of the weight that a trailer
pushes down on a trailer hitch. Examples:
For a 5000 pound
(2268 kilogram) conventional
trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and
0.15 to obtain a proper tongue
load range of 500 to 750 pounds
(227 to 340 kilograms). For an
11500 pound (5216 kilogram) fifth
wheel trailer, multiply by 0.15 and
0.25 to obtain a proper king pin
load range of 1725 to 2875 pounds
(782 to 1304 kilograms). WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carrying
capacities than the original tires
because they may lower the
vehicle ’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original
tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations. Exceeding any vehicle weight
rating limitation could result
in serious damage to the vehicle
and/or personal injury. Steps for determining the
correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lb." on your
vehicle ’s placard.
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Load Carrying

2.
Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lb. and there will
be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lb.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few
examples on how to calculate the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity: *Suppose your vehicle has a
1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargo
and luggage capacity. You decide
to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, four of your
friends and all the golf bags? You
and four friends average 220
pounds (99 kilograms) each and
the golf bags weigh approximately
30 pounds (13.5 kilograms) each.
The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100
- 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your
vehicle to transport four friends
and your golf bags. In metric units,
the calculation would be: 635
kilograms - (5 x 99 kilograms) -
(5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 - 495 -
67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
*Suppose your vehicle has a
1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargo
and luggage capacity. You and
one of your friends decide to pick
up cement from the local home
improvement store to finish that
patio you have been planning for
the past two years. Measuring the
inside of the vehicle with the rear
seat folded down, you have room
for twelve 100-pound
(45-kilogram) bags of cement. Do
you have enough load capacity to
transport the cement to your
home? If you and your friend each
weigh 220 pounds (99 kilograms),
the calculation would be: 1400 -
(2 x 220) - (12 x 100) = 1400 - 440
- 1200 = - 240 pounds. No, you do
not have enough cargo capacity
to carry that much weight. In
metric units, the calculation would
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Escape (TM2), enUSA, First Printing Load Carrying