Ford 2006 Escape Hybrid Quick Reference Manual page 2

Hybrid Operation >
without compromise, to provide breakthrough performance and efficiency. It requires no special fuels and never has to be plugged in.
Familiarizing yourself with these unique characteristics will ensure optimal performance from your new vehicle.
Normal Vehicle Operation
THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID is 100% SUV and Starting: Turn the ignition key to the ON position
while the vehicle is in Park (P). The gas engine
100% Hybrid. It requires no special fuels and never
will turn on, but may shut off shortly after
has to be plugged in. All you have to do is get in
starting, depending on temperature and battery
and drive.
state of charge. This is a natural part of the
Escape Hybrid's fuel-saving features. You do not
need to restart the vehicle. NOTE: If the vehicle
With all the confidence of an authentic Ford SUV
is left inoperative for over 31 days — it may
combined with the benefits of a full hybrid system,
(but probably won't) be necessary to jump-start
every Ford Escape Hybrid is equipped to help you go the vehicle. Your Escape Hybrid is equipped
with a high voltage battery jump-start feature in
anywhere and do anything — now more efficiently than
addition to the traditional 12V system. Consult
ever and in an environmentally conscious manner.
your Owner's Guide for jump-start instructions.
In order to help you fully appreciate the
features of your new vehicle and its unique
Driving: The gas engine automatically starts
characteristics, we invite you to explore this
and stops to provide power when it's needed
easy-to-use Quick Reference Guide. and to save fuel when it's not. While coasting
at low speeds, idling, or coming to a stop,
the gas engine typically shuts down to
This vehicle has unique driving characteristics to
conserve fuel and the vehicle operates in
maximize its hybrid operation. Drive with care and wear
electric-only mode. The gas engine will kick
a seatbelt at all times. Ford urges you to read the
in upon acceleration. Conditions that cause
Owner's Guide and the Driving Your SUV or Truck
the engine to start up include:
Supplement for further information on safe driving
High voltage battery recharge required
precautions and instructions.
Driver acceleration demands
additional power
Overly hot or cold outside temperature,
or if the battery is overly hot or cold, the
engine may engage sooner than usual
Ascending a hill, accelerating quickly,
or when driving conditions require
additional power
The gasoline engine will not shut off if
the climate control is set to MAX A/C,
defrost mode or defrost / floor mode
The Ford Escape Hybrid is a whole new kind of SUV that combines electric and gasoline propulsion
Stopping: The gas engine may shut off as you Unique Hybrid Operating Characteristics Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy
come to a stop to conserve fuel. Restarting
Battery: The Ford Escape Hybrid is equipped As with any vehicle, fuel economy can be
the vehicle is not required. Simply step on with a high voltage battery temperature significantly impacted by your driving habits
the accelerator when you are ready to drive. management system in the rear of the and accessory usage. To maximize fuel
vehicle. This system cools the battery in order economy, try to extend the length of
to ensure battery life and optimize high time you run in electric mode by lightly
Transmission Operation: Due to the
voltage battery performance. You may hear a accelerating the vehicle. The longer you keep
technologically advanced, electronically-
slight tap sound as the vent door operates. In the engine from starting, the better the fuel
controlled Continuously Variable Transaxle
addition, you may hear a fan noise in the rear economy you will achieve.
(eCVT) you will not feel shift changes like
of the vehicle. This is the temperature
those of a traditional vehicle. The Escape
management fan. These noises are a
Hybrid's transmission is designed to do Please be aware of the following
customary part of hybrid operation and do not
vehicle functions which reduce fuel
its work seamlessly.
require service. The hybrid high voltage
economy performance:
Neutral: It is not recommended to idle the battery may go through a self–reconditioning
vehicle in (N) Neutral for extended periods process from time-to-time, to optimize high
Tire Inflation: Keep tires properly inflated and
of time because this will discharge your high voltage battery performance. You may notice
voltage battery. slight changes in drivability during the use only recommended size.
reconditioning process. This is an important part
Low Gear: Slowing down in (L) Low gear may
of the Escape Hybrid's high voltage battery
cause a sensation of engine braking during Climate Control: With the climate control system
optimizing features.
deceleration. Response during acceleration set to MAX A/C, defrost and defrost/floor mode
should be the same as in (D) Drive position. (the orange graphics on your climate control),
Engine: The engine speed in a hybrid is not
the gas engine will run continuously, reducing
Reverse: (R) Reverse gear vehicle speed is
directly tied to the vehicle speed. Under
fuel economy. The A/C mode is more
limited to 22 mph (35 km/h) until shifted to
certain conditions the engine speed, as
fuel-efficient than the MAX A/C mode.
a non-reverse gear. In most cases, the vehicle
indicated on the tachometer while driving,
will operate in electric-only mode while
may appear much higher than that of a
Driver Habits: Rapid starts (jackrabbit starts),
in (R) Reverse. conventional automobile. This is caused by
towing, and heavy loads all impact the
engine speed optimization to maximize fuel
amount of energy required to move the
economy. In prolonged mountainous driving,
vehicle. In general, better fuel economy is
you may also see the engine tachometer
achieved during moderate acceleration and
slowly moving up and down. This is done to
deceleration, as opposed to aggressive
maintain the battery. You may also hear a
acceleration and deceleration. This is true
slight whine or whistle when operating your
regardless of the mode in which you're operating.
vehicle. This is the normal operation of the
electric generator in the hybrid system. Do not carry extra loads
Do not decrease aerodynamics
If your 12V battery should become
Use speed control
disconnected, you may experience engine
Observe posted speed limits
spin for 3-5 seconds after the key is turned
Keep engine tuned
to the OFF position, for the next key cycle
only. The computer is relearning the start up
characteristics of your vehicle.
Instrument Panel Features >
1 Fog Lamp Control: Press the control to
activate the fog lamps during headlamp
operation. Press the control again to deactivate
the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not operate
INSTRUMENT PANEL
when the high beams are activated.
2 Power Side View Mirrors: Rotate clockwise to
adjust the right mirror or counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror. Then, move the control in
10 11
the direction you wish to tilt the mirror. Return
15
the control to the center position to lock the
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 12 13 14 16 17
mirror in place. To adjust the power side view
mirrors, ignition must be in the RUN position.
3 Speed Control: To operate, the speed control
must be ON and the vehicle's speed must be
over 30 mph (48 km/h). To set a speed, press
SET ACC. To set a higher speed, press SET
ACC again. To set a lower speed, press CST.
Pressing RSM will return to the previously set
speed. To disengage the speed control, press the
CAN button or depress the brake pedal. To turn
off the speed control, press the OFF button.
4 ABS Warning Lamp:
Illuminates briefly when ignition is turned
to the RUN position. If the light remains
on for more than a few seconds, an ABS
fault is indicated. Normal braking is still
functional unless the brake warning light
is also illuminated.
5 Battery Gauge: The battery gauge provides
information about your vehicle's energy usage.
When the pointer is directed at ASSIST, this
means the battery is providing extra power to
boost the vehicle's acceleration. When it's
pointing to CHARGE, extra energy is being
stored in the battery while idling, coasting or
slowing down. When you press the brake pedal,
the pointer swings counterclockwise into the 9 Ready Indicator: 14 Auxiliary Power Point (12V): The 12V power
CHARGE zone to report that regenerative Illuminates after the vehicle has successfully point outlet, located to the left of the 110
braking is underway. If the needle does not started. The vehicle is ready to drive even if VAC outlet, is designed for accessory plugs
move when braking, the battery is fully charged. you don't hear the engine running. only. Do not insert any other object; damage
will occur and blow the fuse. This power
outlet will require an adapter in order to plug
10 Service Soon:
6 Tachometer: Engine RPMs are indicated by
in an electric device.
Illuminates when the vehicle has detected
the tachometer. When the vehicle operates in
a malfunction. Report the fault to your Hybrid
pure electric mode, the tachometer pointer
certified dealer at the earliest opportunity. 15 Rear Window Defroster Control: Push to
drops below the zero mark where it points
clear the rear window of thin ice and frost.
at a special symbol labeled EV for electric
The rear window defroster turns off
vehicle. Driving with your tachometer pointer 11 Master Vehicle Electrical Hazard Warning Lamp:
automatically after 15 minutes or when the
continuously at the top of the scale may Indicates a major hybrid component failure
ignition is turned off. To manually turn off the
damage the engine. or other major vehicle failure that will cause
defroster, push the control.
the vehicle to shut down or fail to start.
Please see your Owner's Guide for
7 Message Center: When the ignition is in the
additional information. 16 Power Point - 110 VAC (if equipped): This
RUN position, the message center in your
outlet, located on the floor console in front of
vehicle's instrument cluster will display
12 Service Engine Soon Lamp: the gearshift, is used for powering electrical
information on your vehicle's operating
Illuminates briefly when ignition is turned to devices that require up to 150W. Exceeding
functions, as well as warning messages. There
the RUN position. Solid illumination after start this limit will cause the power point to cut off
are two selectable features, located on the
the power temporarily to provide overload
indicates the on board diagnostics system has
center console, for your message center: SET
protection. The green indicator light will
detected a malfunction. Have your vehicle
and INFO. SET is used to select and reset
illuminate when the power point is ready to
serviced immediately at a Hybrid certified dealer.
various functions shown in the INFO menu.
supply power, will blink when it is in fault
INFO displays a menu which consists of
mode, and will turn off when the power supply
average fuel economy (if equipped), distance 13 Front and Rear Wiper / Washer Control:
is off (ignition is not in the RUN position).
to empty, instantaneous fuel economy Front: Move the control down one position for
This outlet does not require an adapter in
(if equipped), high voltage battery status, units intermittent operation. Rotate the speed control
order to plug in an electrical device.
(english/metric), language, system check and up for fast intervals and down for slow intervals.
INFO display on/off. Move the control down two positions from OFF for
17 Passenger Airbag Off: The passenger airbag
normal or low-speed wiper operation. Move the
off indicator, located just below the radio,
control down three positions from OFF for high-
8 Tilt Steering Wheel Lever: Push the tilt
will illuminate when the passenger's frontal
speed wiper operation. Pull the control toward you
steering wheel lever downward to unlock the
airbag is off. Please see your Owner's Guide
to activate the windshield washer. Release the
steering wheel. Then move the steering wheel
for additional information.
control to stop washer fluid spray. Move the
up or down. Pull the lever up into the
control up and release for one wipe with mist.
original position to lock the steering wheel.
Rear: Rotate the end of the control upward to
Never adjust the steering wheel while the
the position for intermittent operation. Adjust
vehicle is moving.
the speed control for fast or slow intervals. Rotate
the control upward to ON for normal-speed
operation. Rotate the control down to the
position and release to activate the rear washer.