Ford Escape 2013 Owner's Manual page 397

Your vehicle is equipped with the
Intelligent Oil Life Monitor® system which
displays a message in the message center
at the proper oil change service interval.
This interval may be up to one year or
10000 miles (16000 kilometers).
When ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL
CHANGE REQUIRED appears in the
message center display, it is time for an oil
change. The oil change must be done
within two weeks or 500 miles (800
kilometers) of the ENGINE OIL CHANGE
DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
appearing. The Intelligent Oil Life Monitor®
must be reset after each oil change. See
Engine Oil Check (page 221).
If your message center is prematurely reset
or becomes inoperative, you should
perform the oil change interval at six
months or 5000 miles (8000 km) from
your last oil change. Never exceed one year
or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers)
between oil change intervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built
with multiple complex performance
systems. Every manufacturer develops
these systems using different
specifications and performance features.
That is why it is important to rely upon your
dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
We recommend maintenance intervals for
various parts and component systems
based upon engineering testing. We rely
upon this testing to determine the most
appropriate mileage for replacement of
oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at
the lowest overall cost to you and
recommend against maintenance
schedules that deviate from the scheduled
maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the using only
genuine Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford-authorized re-manufactured
replacement for parts because they are
engineered for your vehicle.
Scheduled Maintenance
Additives and Chemicals
Recommended additives and chemicals
are listed in this Owner's Manual and in the
Workshop Manual. Additional chemicals
or additives not approved by Ford Motor
Company are not recommended as part
of normal maintenance. Please consult
your Warranty Manual for complete
warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a
normal operating characteristic and, by
itself, does not necessarily indicate a
concern or that the fluid needs to be
changed. However, discolored fluids that
also show signs of overheating or foreign
material contamination should be
inspected immediately by a qualified
expert such as the factory-trained
technicians at your dealership.
Your vehicle's oils and fluids should be
changed at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a
viable way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are
flushed only with new fluid that is the same
as that required to fill and operate the
system or using a Ford-approved flushing
chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and
inspections should be performed every
month or at six months intervals.
Check Every Month
• Engine oil level.
• Function of all interior and exterior
lights.
• Tires for wear and proper pressure,
including the spare tire.
• Windshield washer fluid level.
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