wheels FORD ESCAPE 2022 User Guide

All-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles
require that all wheels be off the ground
using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment. This prevents damage to the
transmission and drive system.315
Crash and Breakdown Information

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 220).
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.
316
Towing Your Vehicle

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 switch Neutral Tow on.
• You release the parking brake.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (55 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
Switching Neutral Tow On
1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory mode.
2. Press the menu button on the steering wheel to enter the instrument cluster
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:
Failure to follow these instructions
could result in damage to the transmission.
Note: Switching neutral tow on requires
battery power.
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle. See
Climate Control (page 137).
Switching Neutral Tow Off
1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory
mode.
2. Fully press the brake pedal.
3. Shift into park (P).
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.
317
Towing Your Vehicle

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).
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
318
Towing Your Vehicle

MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Service your vehicle regularly to help
maintain its roadworthiness and resale
value. There is a large network of
authorized dealers that are there to help
you with their professional servicing
expertise. We believe that their specially
trained technicians are best qualified to
service your vehicle properly and expertly.
They are supported by a wide range of
highly specialized tools developed
specifically for servicing your vehicle.
If your vehicle requires professional service,
an authorized dealer can provide the
necessary parts and service. Check your
warranty information to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,
fluids and service parts conforming to
specifications.
• Do not work on a hot engine.
• Make sure that nothing gets caught inmoving parts.
• Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed space,
unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
• Keep all open flames and other burning material, such as cigarettes, away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Set the parking brake, shift the transmission to park (P) and block the
wheels.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood
E263274
1. Open the left-hand front door.
2. Fully pull the hood release lever andlet it completely retract.
Note: This action releases the hood latch.
3. Fully pull the hood release lever for a second time.
Note: This action fully releases the hood.
4. Open the hood.
Note: There is no secondary hood release
under the hood.
328
Maintenance

Do not wipe lamps when they are dry.
CLEANING WINDOWS AND WIPER
BLADES
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
• Clean the windshield with anon-abrasive glass cleaner.
Note: When cleaning the interior of the
windshield, avoid getting any glass cleaner
on the instrument panel or door panels.
Wipe any glass cleaner off these surfaces
immediately.
• Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid or water applied with a soft
sponge or cloth.
Note: Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
This can cause damage not covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
CLEANING CHROME, ALUMINIUM
OR STAINLESS STEEL
We recommend that you only use a car
shampoo, a soft cloth and water on
bumpers and other chrome, aluminium or
stainless steel parts.
Note: For additional information and
assistance, we recommend that you contact
an authorized dealer.
Note: Rinse the area well after cleaning.
Note: Do not use abrasive materials, for
example steel wool or plastic pads, as they
can scratch these surfaces.
Note: Do not use chrome cleaner, metal
cleaner or polish on wheels or wheel covers.
CLEANING WHEELS
Only use a recommended wheel and tire
cleaner to clean the wheels weekly. For
additional information and assistance, we
recommend that you contact an
authorized dealer.
1. Use a sponge to remove heavy deposits of dirt and brake dust.
2. Rinse well after cleaning.
Note: Do not apply a cleaning chemical to
warm or hot wheel rims and covers.
If you intend on parking your vehicle for an
extended period after cleaning the wheels
with a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle for
a few minutes before parking your vehicle.
This reduces the risk of corrosion of the
brake discs, brake pads and linings.
Do not clean the wheels when they are hot.
Note: Some car washes could damage
wheel rims and covers.
Note: Using non-recommended cleaners,
harsh cleaning products, chrome wheel
cleaners or abrasive materials could
damage wheel rims and covers.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris
from the screen area below windshield.
Note: If you are not familiar with the parts
around the engine do not wash the engine
compartment. Avoid frequent engine
washes.
When washing the engine compartment:
• Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running.
• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well.
• Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage.
350
Vehicle Care

Note:If you intend on parking your vehicle
for an extended period after cleaning the
wheels with a wheel cleaner, drive your
vehicle for a few minutes before doing so to
reduce the risk of increased corrosion of the
brake discs, brake pads and linings.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure.
Note: If you intend on parking your vehicle
for an extended period after cleaning the
wheels with a wheel cleaner, drive your
vehicle for a few minutes before doing so.
This reduces the risk of corrosion of the
brake discs, brake pads and linings.
REMOVING YOUR VEHICLE
FROM STORAGE
When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
• We recommend that you change the engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
• Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.
• Check the exhaust for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive your vehicle 15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up. • Check fluid levels (including coolant,
oil and gas) to make sure there are no
leaks, and fluids are at recommended
levels.
• If you remove the battery, clean the battery cable ends and check for
damage.
Contact an authorized dealer if you have
any concerns or issues.
356
Storing Your Vehicle

*Tread area of the tire: Area of
the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted
on the vehicle.
* Rim: The metal support (wheel)
for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
TIRE REPLACEMENT
REQUIREMENTS
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
designed to provide a safe ride
and handling capability.
WARNING: Only use
replacement tires and wheels
that are the same size, load
index, speed rating and type
(such as P-metric versus
LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally
provided by Ford. The
recommended tire and wheel
size may be found on either the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or
the door edge that meets the
door-latch post, next to the
driver's seating position), or the
Tire Label which is located on
the B-Pillar or edge of the
driver's door. If this information
is not found on these labels, then
you should contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Use of any tire or wheel
not recommended by Ford can
affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle,
which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING: To reduce the
risk of serious injury, when
mounting replacement tires and
wheels, you should not exceed
the maximum pressure indicated
on the sidewall of the tire to set
the beads without additional
precautions listed below. If the
beads do not seat at the
maximum pressure indicated,
re-lubricate and try again.
WARNING: For a mounting
pressure more than 20 psi
(1.38 bar) greater than the
maximum pressure, a Ford
dealer or other tire service
professional should do the
mounting.
WARNING: Always inflate
steel carcass tires with a remote
air fill with the person inflating
standing at a minimum of 12 ft
(3.66 m) away from the wheel
and tire assembly.
364
Wheel and Tire Information

WARNING: When inflating
the tire for mounting pressures
up to 20 psi (1.38 bar) greater
than the maximum pressure on
the tire sidewall, the following
precautions must be taken to
protect the person mounting the
tire:
WARNING: Use only the
specified jacking points. If you
use other locations, you could
damage the body, steering,
suspension, engine, braking
system or the fuel lines.
• Make sure that you have the correct tire and wheel size.
• Lubricate the tire bead and wheel bead seat area again.
• Stand at a minimum of 12 ft (3.66 m) away from the wheel
and tire assembly.
• Use both eye and ear protection.
Important: Remember to replace
the wheel valve stems when the
road tires are replaced on your
vehicle.
It is recommended that the two
front tires or two rear tires
generally be replaced as a pair if
the worn tires still have usable
depth. To avoid potential All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) malfunction or (AWD)
system damage, it is
recommended to replace all four
tires rather than mixing
significantly worn tires with new
tires.
The tire pressure sensors mounted
in the wheels (originally installed
on your vehicle) are not designed
to be used in aftermarket wheels.
The use of wheels or tires not
recommended may affect the
operation of your tire pressure
monitoring system.
If the tire pressure monitoring
system indicator is flashing, your
system is malfunctioning. Your
replacement tire might be
incompatible with your tire
pressure monitoring system, or
some component of the system
may be damaged.
Age
WARNING: Tires degrade
over time depending on many
factors such as weather, storage
conditions, and conditions of use
(load, speed, inflation pressure)
the tires experience throughout
their lives.
365
Wheel and Tire Information

WARNING: Remember that even
advanced technology cannot defy the
laws of physics. It's always possible to
lose control of a vehicle due to
inappropriate driver input for the
conditions. Aggressive driving on any
road condition can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk
of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the electronic stability
control system is an indication that at
least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator's ability to control
the vehicle potentially resulting in a loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
WARNING: Wheels and tires must
be the same size, load index and speed
rating as those originally fitted on the
vehicle. Use of any other tire or wheel
can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels can
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case or power transfer unit failure.
Follow the recommended tire inflation
pressures found on the Safety
Compliance Certification label, or the
Tire Label on the B-Pillar or the edge of
the driver door. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, or personal injury
or death.
The tires on your vehicle could have
all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. In some climates you will
need to use snow tires and chains on your
vehicle in emergency situations or if
required by law.
Note: The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.
Do not remove these components from your
vehicle when using snow tires and chains. Note:
Driving too fast for road conditions
creates the possibility of loss of vehicle
control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in
damage to vehicle components.
Follow these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
• Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
• Use ultra low profile cables, 10 mm or less in dimension as measured on the
sidewall of your tire, only with
225/60R18 all season tires.
• Do not use snow chains or cables with 225/55R19, or 245/45R20.
• Not all S-class snow chains or cables meet these restrictions. Chains of this
size restriction will include a tensioning
device.
• Purchase chains or cables from a manufacturer that clearly labels body
to tire dimension restrictions. The snow
chains or cables must be mounted in
pairs on the rear tires only.
• When driving with snow chains do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) or the
maximum speed recommended by the
chain manufacturer, whichever is less.
• Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any wiring or
brake lines.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If this does not
work, remove the cables to prevent
vehicle damage.
• Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use tire
chains on dry roads.
If you have any questions regarding snow
chains or cables, please contact your
authorized dealer.
367
Wheel and Tire Information