display FORD ESCAPE 2021 Workshop Manual
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SHIFTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO
GEAR
Your vehicle has an electronic transmission
selector. The transmission selector is on
the center console. The gears are selected
by rotating the transmission selector to
PRNDL.
• Park (P)
• Reverse (R)
• Neutral (N)
• Drive (D)
• Low (L)
Putting your vehicle in gear:
1. Fully press down the brake pedal.
2. Rotate the transmission selector to the
position you want and release.
3. The transmission position you select illuminates.
4. Release the brake pedal and your transmission remains in the selected
gear.
Note: If you attempt to leave your vehicle
when it is in gear, your vehicle automatically
shifts into park (P).
 See How Does
Automatic Return to Park (P) Work (page
212
). AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POSITION INDICATORS
The instrument cluster displays the current
position.
Note:
The position could illuminate on the
transmission selector.
TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE
What Is Temporary Neutral Mode
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral
(N) when you switch your vehicle off. Use
this mode if you exit your vehicle or switch
your vehicle off at an automatic car wash.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note: Automatic return to park (P) is
delayed when your vehicle is in this mode.
See 
What Is Automatic Return to Park
(P) (page 212).
Temporary Neutral Mode
Limitations
Your vehicle could shift to park (P) after
30 minutes, or when the vehicle battery
charge level is low. Prolonged use of this
mode can cause the vehicle battery to run
out of charge.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Failure to follow these instructions could
result in vehicle damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
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2. Locate the manual park release cable
access cover on the lower instrument
panel dash to the bottom left hand
side of the steering column.
3. Using a tool, carefully open the access
cover.
Note: Do not pull the tether until you are in
the driver seat.
4. Switch the ignition on, but do not start
your vehicle.
5. Once in the driver seat, fully press the brake pedal and hold. Do not release.
Pull the orange tether towards the
driver seat until the tether gets locked
in the override position. Then leave the
tether.
6. If done correctly a message should display on the instrument cluster
screen.
Note: Your vehicle is now out of the park
(P) position and is free to roll.
7. With your foot still fully applied on the
brake pedal, disengage the parking
brake.  See What Is the Electric
Parking Brake (page 224).
8. Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
9. Switch off the ignition.
10. Once safe to do so, and there is no risk that your vehicle will roll,
disconnect the negative (black)
battery cable from the battery.
Note: If the vehicle detects wheel
movement before the battery is
disconnected, the electric parking brake
could apply. Returning Your Vehicle to Normal
Mode
1. Once it is safe to do so, reconnect the
negative (black) battery cable to the
battery.
2. Apply the parking brake.  See What Is
the Electric Parking Brake (page 224).
Note: If the vehicle battery is dead, for
example, no electrical power is available,
you could use an external power source to
apply the parking brake.
3. Fully apply the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Pull the orange tether
outward towards the driver seat to
release it from the override position.
4. The cable will release and retract back
to its original rest position.
5. Stow the manual park release cable tether back inside the instrument panel
dash hole, install the access cover by
pressing it back in position.
6. With your foot fully applied on the brake pedal, start your vehicle. Confirm
that your vehicle is in the park (P)
position and that the instrument
cluster indicates park (P).
7. If the instrument cluster is not displaying the park (P) position or a
message displays on the instrument
cluster screen, make sure you apply the
parking brake before exiting your
vehicle. Contact an authorized dealer
for service.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUDIBLE WARNINGS
Transmission Not In Park (P)
Audible Warning
Sounds if you open the driver door before
shifting into park (P).
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – TROUBLESHOOTING
Automatic Transmission – Information Messages - Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(HEV)/Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Action
Description
The electric parking brake is not fullyapplied.
Park Brake Not Applied
A reminder to shift into park. In addition,
this message is typical after reconnecting
or recharging the battery until you cycle the ignition to the on mode.
Transmission Not in Park
Displays when there is a system fault andthe park brake needs to be depressed
before exiting the vehicle. See your author- ized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT Apply Park Brake Before
Exiting the Vehicle
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Automatic Transmission –
Information Messages - Gasoline
Description
Message
The electric parkingbrake is not fully applied.
Park Brake Not
Applied
A reminder to shiftinto park. In addi-
tion, this message is typically afterreconnecting or recharging the
battery until you
cycle the ignition to the on mode.
Transmission Not in
Park
Displays when
there is a system
fault and the park
brake needs to be depressed before
exiting the vehicle.
See your authorized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT
Apply Park Brake
Before Exiting the Vehicle
The system has
detected a fault that requires
service.  Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Transmission
Malfunction Service Now
Displays when youshift into neutral (N).
Select L To Confirm
Stay In Neutral Mode
Displays to confirmthat your vehicle
has entered Stay in Neutral Mode.
Stay in Neutral
Mode Engaged
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Driving In Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Shift to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid excessive wheel slip. Do
not drive your vehicle in deep sand for an
extended period of time. This will cause
the system to overheat. A message
appears in the information display.  See
All-Wheel Drive – Information
Messages (page 220).
Note: If your vehicle gets stuck in sand, it
may be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Note:  Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature, as
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:  Do not rock your vehicle for more
than a minute, as damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
Driving Through Mud and Water
Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even all-wheel drive vehicles can lose
traction in mud. If your vehicle does slide,
steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of your vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Note: If your vehicle gets stuck in mud, it
may be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear. Note:
 Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature, as
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:  Do not rock your vehicle for more
than a minute, as damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
Water
If you must drive through deep water, drive
slowly. The water could limit traction or
brake capability. See Driving Through
Shallow Water (page 311).
When driving through water, determine the
depth and avoid water higher than the
center of the wheel.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes will not stop your vehicle as
quickly as dry brakes. Apply light pressure
to the brake pedal while slowly moving the
vehicle to dry the brakes.
Note: Driving through deep water could
cause damage to the transmission. If the
front or rear axle is submerged in water, the
axle lubricant and power transfer unit
lubricant should be checked and changed
if necessary.
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Although natural obstacles could make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should try to drive
straight up or straight down.
Note:  Avoid turning on steep slopes or
hills.  A danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possible vehicle roll over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine
beforehand the route you can use.  Do not
drive over the crest of a hill without seeing
what conditions are on the other side.  Do
not drive in reverse over a hill without the
aid of an observer.
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 (If Equipped) 
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WHAT IS HILL START ASSIST
Hill Start Assist makes it easier for you to
pull away when your vehicle is on a slope
without using the parking brake.
HOW DOES HILL START
ASSIST WORK
When the system activates, your vehicle
remains stationary for a few seconds after
you release the brake pedal.  This gives you
time to move your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator pedal.  The brakes
release when the engine has developed
sufficient torque to prevent your vehicle
from rolling down the slope.
HILL START ASSIST
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING: 
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING: 
The system turns off if
there is a malfunction or if you
excessively rev the engine. HILL START ASSIST –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Hill Start Assist – Information
Messages Action
Message
Displays when
system is not avail- able.  Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Hill Start Assist Not
Available
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HOW DOES AUTO HOLD WORK
Auto Hold applies the brakes to hold your
vehicle after you stop it and release the
brake pedal. This can help when waiting
on a hill or in traffic.
SWITCHING AUTO HOLD ON
AND OFF
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING: 
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death.
You can switch the system on or off by
accessing the menu in the SYNC display
screen.
1. Press 
Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press 
Driver Assistance.
Note: You can only switch the system on
after you close the driver door, and fasten
your seatbelt.
Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: Make sure you switch the system off
before using an automatic car wash.
USING AUTO HOLD
1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop. The auto hold active indicator
illuminates in the information display. 2. Release the brake pedal. The system
holds your vehicle at a standstill. The
auto hold active indicator remains
illuminated in the information display.
3. Pull away in the normal manner.  The system releases the brakes and the
auto hold active indicator switches off.
Note: The system only activates if you
apply enough brake pressure on the brake
pedal.
Note: Under certain conditions, the system
could apply the electric parking brake. The
brake system warning lamp illuminates. The
electric parking brake releases when you
press the accelerator pedal.  See
Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake
 (page 225).
Note: The system switches off if you shift
into reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
There could be actions that can cause the
auto hold system not to work when the
following occur:
• When you use active park assist.
• Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
• The driver door is open.
• You have not fastened your seatbelt.
• You shift into reverse (R) before the
system is active.
AUTO HOLD INDICATORS Illuminates when the system is
active.
Illuminates when the system is
on but cannot hold your vehicle
at a standstill at this particular
time.
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HOW DOES TRACTION
CONTROL WORK
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces power at the
same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces power in order to
increase traction.
SWITCHING TRACTION
CONTROL ON AND OFF
WARNING: The stability and
traction control light illuminates steadily
if the system detects a failure. Make sure
you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead
to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.
The traction control system turns on each
time you switch the power on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin. Note:
When you switch traction control off,
stability control remains fully active.
Your vehicle could have MyKey restrictions
regarding this feature.  See 
What Is
MyKey (page 64).
TRACTION CONTROL
INDICATOR TRACTION CONTROL –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Traction Control – Warning Lamps
System Messages
The traction control light
temporarily illuminates on
start-up and flashes:
• When a driving condition activates
The traction control off light temporarily
illuminates on start-up and stays on:
• When you switch the traction control
system off.
• When you select an alternative stability
control mode.
• If a problem occurs in the system.
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
Electric Power Steering
Precautions
WARNING: The electric power
steering system has diagnostic checks
that continuously monitor the system. If
a fault is detected, a message displays
in the information display. Stop your
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Switch the vehicle off. After at least 10
seconds, switch the vehicle on and
watch the information display for a
steering system warning message. If a
steering system warning message
returns, have the system checked as
soon as possible. WARNING: 
If the system detects
an error, you may not feel a difference in
the steering, however a serious condition
may exist. Have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. Failure to do so may
result in loss of steering control.
Adapt your speed and driving behavior
according to reduced steering assist.
Extreme continuous steering may increase
the effort to steer. This occurs to prevent
internal overheating and damage to the
steering system. If this occurs, you will not
lose the ability to steer your vehicle
manually nor will it cause damage to the
system. Normal steering and driving allows
the system to cool down and steering
assist returns to normal. Note:
There is no fluid reservoir to check or
fill.
Electric Power Steering Adaptive
Steering
Adaptive Learning
 (If Equipped)
Adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering. It communicates with the
brake system to help operate advanced
stability control and crash avoidance
systems.
Note: When the battery is disconnected or
a new battery is installed, you must drive
your vehicle a short distance before the
system relearns the strategy and reactivates
all systems.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• An improperly inflated tire.
• Uneven tire wear.
• Loose or worn suspension
components.
• Improper vehicle alignment.
Note: A high crown in the road or high
crosswinds could also make the steering
wander or pull.
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If the transmission is in reverse (R), the side
sensing system provides audible warnings.
When your vehicle is moving slowly,
obstacles are detected within 24 in
(60 cm) and are inside the driving path of
your vehicle. Once your vehicle reaches a
standstill condition, the audible warning
stops after a few seconds. Visual indication
is always present in reverse (R).
If your vehicle is in neutral (N), the side
sensing system provides visual indication
only when your vehicle is moving slowly
and there is a front or rear park aid
obstacle detected, and the side obstacle
is within 
24 in (60 cm) from the side of
your vehicle. Once your vehicle reaches a
stop, the visual indication stops after a few
seconds.
If the transmission is in drive (D) or any
other forward gear, the side sensing system
provides audible and visual warnings.
When your vehicle is moving slowly,
obstacles are detected within 
24 in
(60 cm) and are inside the driving path of
your vehicle. Once your vehicle reaches a
standstill condition, the audible warning
and visual indication stops after a few
seconds.
Locating the Side Parking Aid
Sensors The side parking sensors are in the front
and rear bumpers on both sides of the
vehicle.
Side Parking Aid Audible Warnings
When the side parking aid detects an
object within the coverage area and the
driving path of your vehicle, an audible
warning sounds. As your vehicle moves
closer to the object, the rate of the tone
increases.
PARKING AID INDICATORS
The system provides object distance
indication through the information and
entertainment display.
•
As the distance to the object
decreases, the indicator waves and the
lines move toward the vehicle icon.
• If there is no object detected, the
distance indicator lines are grey.
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