display FORD ESCAPE 2021 Owners Manual
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TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
PRECAUTIONS
Use the following guidelines when towing
your vehicle. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in vehicle damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Note:
Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Note: If you are unsure of the vehicle ’s
configuration, contact an authorized dealer.
RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - GASOLINE,
AWD
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. You must recreational tow your
vehicle with all four wheels off the ground,
such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow
your vehicle.
RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - GASOLINE,
FWD
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. Place the front wheels on a
two-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a tow
dolly, follow the instructions specified by
the equipment provider.
Note: Release the parking brake before
towing your vehicle.  See Manually
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake
(page 
224). RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - HYBRID
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)/
PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC
VEHICLE (PHEV)
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing. An example of
recreational towing is towing your vehicle
behind a motorhome. These guidelines
ensure that you do not damage the
transmission.
Note:
 Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.  See
Climate Control
 (page 137).
You can tow your vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground under the following
conditions:
• You switch 
Neutral Tow on.
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• You release the parking brake.
• You do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
Switching 
Neutral Tow On
1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory mode.
2. Press the menu button on the steering
wheel to enter the information display
main menu.
3. Select 
Settings.
4. Select 
Neutral Tow.
5. Follow the instructions on the information display.
6. Fully press the brake pedal.
7. Shift into neutral (N).
8. Switch the ignition off.
Note: Switching neutral tow on requires
battery power.
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Note:
If the parking brake is applied, a
message appears in the information display.
Note: If your vehicle has an ignition key, you
cannot remove the key from the ignition
when the transmission is in neutral (N) and
your vehicle is off.
Note: Start the engine and allow it to run
for a few minutes at the beginning of each
day, and every six hours or fewer. With the
engine running and your foot on the brake,
shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R)
before shifting back into neutral (N). Before
continuing to tow, switch neutral tow on.
EMERGENCY TOWING -
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
(HEV)/PLUG-IN HYBRID
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies or a vehicle
transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain and transmission configuration,
under the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• You shift the transmission into neutral
(N). If you cannot shift the transmission
into neutral (N), you may need to
override the shifter.  See Entering
Temporary Neutral Mode (page 212).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 
50 mi (80 km). Note:
Failure to follow these instructions
could result in damage to the transmission.
EMERGENCY TOWING - 8-
SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION – 8F24
If you need to tow your vehicle, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a
member of a roadside assistance program,
your roadside assistance service provider.
EMERGENCY TOWING - 8-
SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION – 8F35
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies or a vehicle
transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain and transmission configuration,
under the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• Use the manual park release
procedure.  See 
Using Manual Park
Release (page 213).  Failure to do so
may result in damage to the
transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 
50 mi (80 km).
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TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – TROUBLESHOOTING
Towing Your Vehicle – Information Messages - Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(HEV)/Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Description
Message
Reminder to switch off the ignition when in neutral tow.
Neutral Tow Engaged
Turn Ignition Off for Towing
Displays when neutral tow is active and you want to exit neutral tow.
Neutral tow engaged
Depress Brake and Select Park to Exit Neutral Tow
Reminder to remove park brake when in neutral tow.
Neutral Tow Remove
Park Brake for Towing
Displays when the neutral tow is off.
Neutral Tow Disengaged
Displays when neutral tow is on.
Neutral Tow Enabled
Leave Transmission in Neutral
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Protected Component
Fuse Rating
Fuse Location
Ignition switch.
10 A
4
Lock.
20 A
5
Unlock.
Moonroof.
10 A
6
DC inverter.
Passenger door module.
30 A
7
Parking assist control
module.
5 A
8
Electrochromatic mirror.
5 A
9
Image processing module A.
Extended power module.
10 A
10
Power liftgate.
5 A
11
Hands-free liftgate actu-
ation module.
Telematics control unit
module.
Head up display module.
5 A
12
Keyless keypad switch.
Driver door lock.
15 A
13
Driver door module.
30 A
14
Extended power module.
15 A
15
Not used (spare).
15 A
16
SYNC.
15 A
17
Receiver transceiver
module.
Integrated control panel.
Wireless accessory charging
module.
7.5 A
18
Headlamp switch pack.
7.5 A
19
Not used (spare).
10 A
20
Climate control.
7.5 A
21
E-shifter module.
Instrument cluster.
7.5 A
22
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ENGINE OIL
Engine Oil Dipstick Overview
Minimum.
A
Maximum.
B
Checking the Engine Oil Level
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Check the oil level before starting the engine, or switch the engine off after
warming up and wait 10 minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
4. Reinstall the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
5. Remove the dipstick again to check the
oil level.
Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.
6. If the oil level is at the minimum mark, immediately add oil.
7. Reinstall the dipstick. Make sure it is fully seated.
Note: The oil consumption of new engines
reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km). Adding Engine Oil WARNING: Do not remove the filler
cap when the engine is running. WARNING: 
Do not add engine oil
when the engine is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that the
vehicle warranty may not cover.
1. Clean the area surrounding the engine oil filler cap before you remove it.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap.
3. Add engine oil that meets our specifications.  See 
Capacities and
Specifications (page 396).
4. Reinstall the engine oil filler cap.  Turn it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
Note:  Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark.  Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note: Immediately soak up any oil spillage
with an absorbent cloth.
Resetting the Engine Oil Change
Reminder
Use the information display controls on
the steering wheel to reset the oil change
reminder.
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From the main menu scroll to:
Action and description
Message
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.
Settings
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.
Conveni-
ence
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.
Oil Life
Reset
Press and hold the OK
button until the instrument
cluster displays the
following message.
Hold OK to
Reset
Reset Successful
When the oil change
reminder resets the instru-
ment cluster displays 100%.
Remaining Life
{00}%
If the instrument cluster
displays one of the following
messages, repeat the
process.
Not Reset
Reset Cancelled
Engine Oil Capacity and
Specification
For filling information, please refer to the
Capacities and Specifications section of
your owner's manual.  See 
Engine Oil
Capacity and Specification (page 396). CHECKING THE COOLANT
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information.  See Scheduled
Maintenance
 (page 487).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the minimum and maximum marks
on the coolant reservoir.
Note:  Coolant expands when it is hot.  The
level may extend beyond the 
MAX mark.
If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between 
-29°F (-34°C) and -35°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.
Adding Coolant WARNING: 
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING: 
Do not add engine
coolant when the engine is on or the
cooling system is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury. WARNING: 
Do not add coolant
further than the MAX mark.
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Note:
Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion protection
characteristics of the coolant and could
cause engine damage.
Coolant Change
Change the coolant at specific mileage
intervals. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance information.  See Normal
Scheduled Maintenance (page 490).
Note: Dispose of used coolant in the
appropriate manner.
Follow your community's regulations and
standards for recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works If the engine begins to overheat,
the coolant temperature gauge
moves toward the red zone:
A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating
cylinder operation.  Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
• Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off. Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down.  Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNING: 
Fail-safe mode is for
use during emergencies only. Operate
your vehicle in fail-safe mode only as
long as necessary to bring your vehicle
to rest in a safe location and seek
immediate repairs. When in fail-safe
mode, your vehicle will have limited
power, will not be able to maintain
high-speed operation, and may
completely shut down without warning,
potentially losing engine power, power
steering assist, and power brake assist,
which may increase the possibility of a
crash resulting in serious injury. WARNING: 
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury.
Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine could operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage.  In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and switch the engine off.
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2. If you are a member of a roadside
assistance program, we recommend
that you contact your roadside
assistance service provider.
3. If this is not possible, wait for a short period of time for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.
5. When the engine temperature cools, you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.
Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Management (If Equipped) WARNING: 
To reduce the risk of
crash and injury, be prepared that the
vehicle speed may reduce and the
vehicle may not be able to accelerate
with full power until the coolant
temperature reduces.
If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, the
engine may temporarily reach a higher
temperature during severe operating
conditions, for example ascending a long
or steep grade in high ambient
temperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display. You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power in
order to manage the engine coolant
temperature.  Your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place.  The
amount of speed reduction depends on
vehicle loading, grade and ambient
temperature.  If this occurs, there is no
need to stop your vehicle.  You can
continue to drive.
The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:
1. Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Fully apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P) or neutral (N).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position.  If the
temperature does not drop after
several minutes, follow the remaining
steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to
cool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart the engine and continue.
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Note:
The engine management system has
a power hold function and remains powered
for a period of time after you switch the
ignition off. This is to allow diagnostic and
adaptive tables to be stored. Disconnecting
the battery without waiting can cause
damage not covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
4. Disconnect the negative battery cable terminal.
5. Disconnect the positive battery cable terminal.
6. Remove the battery securing clamp.
7. Remove the battery.
8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Note: Before reconnecting the battery,
make sure the ignition remains switched off.
Note: Make sure the battery cable terminals
are fully tightened.
Note: After cleaning or replacing the
battery, make sure you reinstall the battery
cover or shield.
If you disconnect or replace the vehicle
battery, you must reset the following
features:
• Window bounce-back.  See Windows
(page 105).
• Clock Settings.
• Pre-set radio stations.
• Steering Angle Sensor.
Note: To calibrate the steering angle
sensor, drive the vehicle above 
30 mph
(50 km/h) for a minimum of 1.2 mi (2 km).
Make sure to drive straight ahead for a
minimum of 30 seconds. Several vehicle
functions are disabled and a warning light
could appear until the sensor is calibrated. Battery Management System
The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system temporarily
disables some of the following features:
•
Heated rear window.
• Heated seats.
• Climate control.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Audio unit.
• Navigation system.
A message may appear in the information
display to alert you that battery protection
actions are active.
After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with an
external charger, the battery management
system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep
time to relearn the battery state of charge.
During this time your vehicle must remain
fully locked with the ignition off.
Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect battery performance and durability.
This may also affect the performance of
other electrical systems in the vehicle.
Battery Disposal Make sure that you dispose of
old batteries in an
environmentally friendly way.
Seek advice from your local authority
about recycling old batteries.
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Cleaning Stripes or Graphics
It is recommended to wash your vehicle by
hand however, pressure washing may be
used under the following conditions:
•
Use a spray with a 40° wide spray
angle pattern.
• Keep the nozzle at a 
12 in (305 mm)
distance and 90° angle to your
vehicle's surface.
• Do not use water pressure higher than
2,000 psi (14,000 kPa)
.
• Do not use water hotter than 
179°F
(82°C).
Note: Holding the pressure washer nozzle
at an angle to the vehicle's surface may
damage graphics and cause the edges to
peel away from the vehicle's surface.
Cleaning Camera Lenses and
Sensors
We recommend that you only use
lukewarm or cold water and a soft cloth
to clean the camera lens and sensors.
Note: Do not pressure wash camera lens
and sensors.
Cleaning the Underbody
Flush the complete underside of your
vehicle frequently. Keep body and door
drain holes free from packed dirt.
Rear suspension components may require
regular cleaning with a power washer or a
thorough rinse with a strong stream of
water if the vehicle is operated in dusty or
muddy environments. Rear leaf springs or
other suspension components may emit
squeaking or popping noises while
operating the vehicle if particles, such as
dirt, rocks, or other debris, are present in
the components. CLEANING THE INTERIOR
Cleaning the Instrument Panel WARNING: 
Do not use chemical
solvents or strong detergents when
cleaning the steering wheel or
instrument panel to avoid contamination
of the airbag system.
We recommend that you only clean the
instrument panel and cluster lens with a
damp soft cloth. Dry the area with a clean,
soft cloth.
For additional information and assistance,
we recommend that you contact an
authorized dealer.
Note: Avoid cleaners or polishes that
increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this
area helps protect you from undesirable
windshield reflection.
Cleaning Plastic
We recommend that you only use a mild
soap and water solution on a soft cloth.
Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
Cleaning Displays and Screens
We recommend that you only use a
microfiber cloth in a circular motion to
clean off the fingerprint or dust.
If dirt or fingerprints are still on the screen,
apply a small amount of alcohol to the
cloth and try to clean it again.
Note: Do not pour or spray alcohol onto the
touchscreen.
Note:  Do not use detergent or any type of
solvent to clean the touchscreen.
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