2012 Ford Escape Owner's Manual
Year:
2012
Make:
Ford
Model:
Escape
Rating:
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1
Introduction
4
Congratulations
4
Safety and Environment Protection
4
Warning symbols in this guide
4
Warning symbols on your vehicle
5
Protecting the environment
5
Perchlorate material
5
Breaking-in your vehicle
5
Special Notices
6
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
6
Special instructions
6
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
6
Using your vehicle with a snowplow
6
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
6
Data Recording
7
Service Data Recording
7
Event Data Recording
7
Cell phone use
9
Export unique (Non–United States/Canada) vehicle specific information
9
Instrument Cluster
12
Warning lights and chimes
12
Gauges
17
Message center (if equipped)
20
Info
20
System check and vehicle feature customization
21
System warnings
24
Entertainment Systems
28
Audio systems
28
AM/FM single CD/MP3 satellite compatible sound system
28
Setting the clock
28
AM/FM Radio
29
RDS Radio
30
CD/MP3 Player
30
Satellite Radio (if equipped)
32
Sound Adjustments
35
Extra Features
36
Auxiliary input jack (Line in)
37
USB port (if equipped)
39
General audio information
39
Satellite radio information (if equipped)
42
Navigation system (if equipped)
45
SYNC (if equipped)
45
Climate Controls
46
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
46
Operating tips
47
Dual automatic temperature control (if equipped)
49
Operating tips
51
Rear window defroster
52
Lights
53
Headlamp Control
53
Autolamp control (if equipped)
53
Autolamp delay system (if equipped)
53
Fog lamp control (if equipped)
54
High beams
54
Flash-to-pass
54
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
55
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
55
Aiming the headlamps
56
Vertical aim adjustment
56
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
57
Interior Lamps
57
Dome lamps and map lamps
57
Cargo and dome lamp
58
Ambient lighting (if equipped)
59
Bulb Replacement
59
Lamp assembly condensation
59
Using the right bulbs
60
Replacing headlamp bulbs
60
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
61
Replacing front sidemarker bulbs
62
Replacing tail/stop/turn/backup lamp bulbs
62
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
62
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
63
Replacing fog lamp bulbs (if equipped)
64
Driver Controls
65
Multi-function lever
65
Windshield wiper rainlamp feature (if equipped with autolamp)
65
Rear window wiper/washer controls
66
Tilt Steering Wheel
66
Illuminated visor mirror (if equipped)
67
Overhead console (if equipped)
67
Storage compartment (if equipped)
67
Electronic compass (if equipped)
68
Compass zone adjustment
68
Compass calibration adjustment
69
Center console
69
Auxiliary power point (12V DC)
70
Power Windows
71
One-touch down
72
Window lock
72
Accessory delay
72
Interior mirror
72
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)
72
Exterior Mirrors
73
Power side view mirrors
73
Blind spot mirrors
73
Fold-away mirrors
73
Heated outside mirrors (if equipped)
74
Speed control (if equipped)
74
Using speed control
74
Setting speed control
74
Disengaging speed control
75
Resuming a set speed
75
Increasing speed while using speed control
75
Reducing speed while using speed control
75
Turning off speed control
76
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)
76
Radio control features
76
MOON ROOF (IF EQUIPPED)
78
Universal garage door opener (if equipped)
79
Car2U Home Automation System (if equipped)
79
Types of garage door openers (rolling code and fixed code)
80
Rolling code programming
81
Fixed code programming
83
Erasing the Car2U Home Automation System buttons
85
FCC and RSS-210 Industry Canada Compliance
85
Positive Retention Floor Mat
86
Liftgate
87
Cargo Area Features
88
Cargo shade (if equipped)
88
Cargo management system (if equipped)
88
Passenger side cargo compartment
89
Roof Rack System (if equipped)
89
90
To adjust the cross-bar (if equipped) position:
90
To remove the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) from the roof rack side rails:
90
To reinstall the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) to the roof rack side rails:
91
Locks and Security
92
Keys
92
MyKey
93
Power door locks
98
Door key unlocking/locking
98
Unlocking the doors
98
Locking the doors
98
Autolock
98
Deactivating/activating autolock
98
Power door unlock/lock procedure
99
Keyless entry keypad procedure
99
Message center procedure (if equipped)
100
Autounlock
100
Deactivating/activating autounlock
100
Power door lock switch autounlock enable/disable procedure
100
Keyless entry keypad autounlock enable/disable procedure
101
Message center procedure (if equipped)
101
Smart unlocking feature
101
Childproof door locks
102
Remote entry system
102
Two step door unlocking
103
One step door unlocking
103
Switching from two step to one step door unlocking
104
Locking the doors
104
Opening the liftgate glass (if equipped)
104
Car finder
104
Sounding a panic alarm
104
Replacing the battery
105
Replacing lost Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs)
105
How to reprogram your Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs)
105
Illuminated entry
106
Illuminated exit
106
SecuriCode™ keyless entry system (if equipped)
106
Programming your own personal entry code
106
Erasing personal code
107
Anti-scan feature
107
Unlocking and locking the doors and liftgate using keyless entry
108
Securilock passive anti-theft system
108
Anti-theft indicator
109
Automatic arming
109
Automatic disarming
109
Replacement of integrated keyhead transmitters (IKT) and coded keys
110
Programming spare keys
110
Seating and Safety Restraints
112
Front Seats
112
Adjustable head restraints
112
Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)
115
Using the manual lumbar support (if equipped)
115
Adjusting the front power seat (if equipped)
116
Heated seats (if equipped)
117
Rear seats
118
Second row adjustable head restraints
118
Folding down second row seats
121
Returning the second row seats to upright position
123
To remove the second row cushion
124
To install the second row cushion
124
Personal Safety System™
124
How does the Personal Safety System™ work?
125
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
125
Front crash severity sensor
125
Driver’s seat position sensor
125
Front passenger sensing system
126
Front safety belt usage sensors
126
Front safety belt pretensioners
127
Safety belt energy management retractors
127
Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational
127
Safety Belt System
128
Combination lap and shoulder belts
129
Restraint of pregnant women
130
Energy Management Feature
130
Safety belt locking modes
130
Safety belt height adjustment
132
Safety belt pretensioner
132
Safety belt extension assembly
133
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
133
Conditions of operation
133
Belt-Minder
134
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature
136
AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
138
Important SRS precautions
138
Children and airbags
140
How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?
140
Front passenger sensing system
142
Determining if the system is operational
146
Seat-mounted side airbag system
147
How does the side airbag system work?
148
Determining if the system is operational
149
Safety Canopy System
150
How does the Safety Canopy System work?
151
Determining if the system is operational
153
SOS Post-Crash Alert System™
153
Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles (including pretensioners)
153
Safety restraints for children
154
Important child restraint precautions
154
Recommendations for attaching child safety restraints for children
156
Transporting children
157
Safety seats for children
158
Infant and/or toddler seats
158
Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts
159
Attaching child safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) attachments
162
Use of inboard lower anchors from the outboard seating positions (center seating use)
164
Combining safety belt and LATCH lower anchors for attaching child safety seats
164
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
165
Child booster seats
167
When children should use booster seats
168
Types of booster seats
169
The importance of shoulder belts
170
Child restraint and safety belt maintenance
171
Tires, Wheels and Loading
172
Notice to utility vehicle and truck owners
172
Vehicle characteristics
173
4WD system (if equipped)
173
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
173
Information about uniform tire quality grading
174
Treadwear
175
Traction AA A B C
175
Temperature A B C
175
Tires
176
Glossary of tire terminology
176
Inflating your tires
177
Tire care
179
Inspecting your tires and wheel valve stems
179
Tire wear
179
Damage
179
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
180
Tire replacement requirements
180
Safety practices
182
Highway hazards
182
Tire and wheel alignment
183
Tire rotation
183
Information contained on the tire sidewall
184
Information on “P” type tires
184
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for “LT” type tires
187
Information on “T” type tires
188
Location of the tire label
188
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
189
Changing tires with a TPMS
190
Understanding your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
190
When your temporary spare tire is installed
190
When you believe your system is not operating properly
191
When inflating your tires
192
How temperature affects your tire pressure
192
Snow tires and cables
193
Vehicle loading – with and without a trailer
194
Special loading instructions for owners of pick-up trucks and utility-type vehicles
200
Trailer towing
201
Preparing to tow
202
Hitches
202
Safety chains
202
Trailer brakes
203
Trailer lamps
203
Driving while you tow
203
Trailer towing tips
204
Launching or retrieving a boat
204
Recreational towing
204
Driving
206
Starting
206
Positions of the ignition
206
Preparing to start your vehicle
206
Important safety precautions
207
Starting the engine
209
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
209
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible fuel vehicles only)
210
Guarding against exhaust fumes
210
Important ventilating information
210
Engine block heater (if equipped)
210
Brakes
212
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
213
Using ABS
213
ABS warning lamp
213
Brake over accelerator
213
Parking brake
214
AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) stability enhancement system
215
Steering
221
Preparing to drive
222
Brake-shift interlock
222
Automatic transmission operation (if equipped)
224
Automatic transmission adaptive learning
224
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic transmission
224
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
226
Manual transmission operation (if equipped)
226
Using the clutch
226
Recommended shift speeds
227
Reverse
227
Parking your vehicle
228
Reverse sensing system (if equipped)
228
Rearview camera system (if equipped)
230
Active park assist (APA) (if equipped)
232
Blind spot mirrors
237
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) system (if equipped)
238
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
238
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
238
Basic operating principles
238
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
239
If your vehicle gets stuck
239
Emergency maneuvers
240
Sand
240
Mud and water
241
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
242
Driving on snow and ice
243
Maintenance and modifications
243
Driving through water
244
Roadside Emergencies
245
Roadside Assistance
245
Vehicles sold in the U.S. : Getting roadside assistance
245
Vehicles sold in the U.S. : Using roadside assistance
246
Vehicles sold in Canada : Getting roadside assistance
246
Vehicles sold in Canada : Using roadside assistance
246
Hazard Flasher Control
246
Fuel pump shut-off switch
247
Fuses and relays
247
Fuses
247
Standard fuse amperage rating and color
248
Passenger compartment fuse panel
248
Power distribution box
251
Changing the tires
254
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
255
Stopping and securing the vehicle
257
Removing the jack and tools
257
Removing the spare tire or spare tire and tether (if equipped)
258
Tire change procedure
259
Stowing the jack and tools
262
Stowing the flat/spare tire
263
Wheel lug nut torque specifications
264
Running out of fuel
264
Jump starting
265
Preparing your vehicle
265
Connecting the jumper cables
266
Jump starting
267
Removing the jumper cables
267
Wrecker towing
268
Emergency towing
269
Customer Assistance
270
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
270
Away from home
270
Additional assistance
271
In California (U.S. only)
272
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. only)
273
Utilizing The Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada only)
274
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
274
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE
276
Obtaining a French Owner’s Guide
276
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)
277
Reporting safety defects (Canada only)
277
Cleaning
278
Washing the exterior
278
Waxing
278
Paint chips
279
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers
279
Engine
279
2.5L I4 Engine
280
3.0L V6 Engine
280
Plastic (non-painted) exterior parts
281
Windows and wiper blades
281
Instrument panel/Interior trim and cluster lens
282
Interior
283
Leather seats (if equipped)
283
Underbody
284
Ford and Lincoln car care products
284
Maintenance and Specifications
285
Service recommendations
285
Precautions when servicing your vehicle
285
Working with the engine off
285
Working with the engine on
285
Opening the hood
286
Identifying components in the engine compartment
287
2.5L I4 engine
287
3.0L V6 engine
288
Windshield washer fluid
289
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
289
Changing the wiper blades
290
Changing rear window wiper blade
291
Engine oil
291
Checking the engine oil
291
Adding engine oil
293
Engine oil and filter recommendations
294
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
294
Battery
295
Engine coolant
297
Checking engine coolant
297
Adding engine coolant
298
Recycled engine coolant
300
Coolant refill capacity
300
Severe climates
301
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
301
How fail-safe cooling works
301
When fail-safe mode is activated
302
Fuel Filter
303
What you should know about automotive fuels
303
Important safety precautions
303
Refueling
305
Easy Fuel “no cap” fuel system
306
Flex fuel vehicle (FFV) fuel fill inlet
307
Choosing the right fuel
307
Octane recommendations
307
FFV engine (if equipped)
307
Fuel quality
308
Cleaner air
308
Running out of fuel
308
Refilling with a portable fuel container
309
Essentials of good fuel economy
310
Measuring techniques
310
Filling the tank
310
Calculating fuel economy
311
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
312
Habits
312
Maintenance
312
Conditions
313
Emission control system
313
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)
314
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
315
Brake/clutch fluid
316
Transmission fluid
316
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
316
Low fluid level
317
Correct fluid level
317
High fluid level
317
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
318
Checking transmission fluid level for recreational flat tow operation
318
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
319
Air filter
319
Vehicle storage
321
Motorcraft part numbers
323
Maintenance product specifications and capacities
324
Engine data
327
Engine drivebelt routing
327
Identifying your vehicle
328
Safety Compliance Certification Label
328
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
328
Transmission code designations
329
Accessories
330
Ford Custom Accessories for your vehicle
330
Exterior style
330
Interior style
330
Lifestyle
330
Peace of mind
331
Ford Extended Service Plan
332
Ford ESP Extended Service Plans (U.S. Only)
332
Ford ESP Extended Service Plans (Canada Only)
335
Scheduled Maintenance
336
General maintenance information
336
Why maintain your vehicle?
336
Protecting your investment
336
Oils, fluids and flushing
337
Genuine Ford parts and service
338
Convenience
338
Factory-trained technicians
338
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft replacement parts
338
Value shopping for your vehicle’s maintenance needs
338
Owner checks and services
339
Multi-point inspection
340
Normal scheduled maintenance and log
342
Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™
342
Maintenance schedule log
345
Special operating conditions
348
Special operating condition log
351
Exceptions
353
Engine coolant change record
354
Engine coolant change log
354
Index
355
2012 Ford Escape Overview
Introduction
The 2012 Ford Escape epitomizes the stylish and versatile compact SUV segment, ideal for those who seek a mix of functionality and comfort. With its rugged exterior, the Escape appeals to those with an adventurous spirit, while offering a spacious interior and a plethora of cutting-edge features that enhance the driving experience. The 2012 model stands out for its efficiency and practicality, making it a smart choice for families and city dwellers alike.
Powertrains
The 2012 Ford Escape offers a range of capable powertrains that cater to different driving needs. Standardly equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 171 horsepower, it strikes a balance between power and fuel efficiency. For those seeking a performance boost, an available 3.0-liter V6 engine delivers a robust 240 horsepower, ensuring lively acceleration. Both engines come with a choice of a five-speed automatic or manual transmission, while the hybrid variant combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, providing an impressive estimated 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Trims
The Ford Escape 2012 is available in three trim levels: XLS, XLT, and Limited. The base XLS includes essential features like keyless entry and a four-speaker stereo, while the mid-level XLT adds conveniences such as a roof rack and alloy wheels. The range-topping Limited trim enhances luxury with leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and advanced technology options, offering both style and sophistication.
Features
The 2012 Escape is equipped with an array of modern features designed for convenience and safety. Standard features include full power accessories, a trip computer, and a four-speaker sound system with an auxiliary input. Higher trims offer additional luxuries like a touchscreen navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and advanced safety features including traction control and multiple airbags, ensuring peace of mind during every drive.
Owners Manual
The owner's manual for the 2012 Ford Escape provides invaluable information and guidance on maintaining the vehicle's performance and longevity. It includes detailed instructions on routine maintenance, safety precautions, and troubleshooting tips, making it an essential companion for every Escape owner. From understanding the vehicle's features to following the recommended service intervals, the manual helps ensure that your Escape continues to deliver a reliable and enjoyable driving experience.
User manual download
The Ford Escape owner manual for the 2012 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2012 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.
Posted by, John Mana
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