Ford Escape Hybrid (2012 year). Manual — part 77

4. After you are done pumping fuel, slowly remove the fuel filler
nozzle—allow about five seconds after pumping fuel before removing the
fuel filler nozzle. This allows residual fuel to drain back into the fuel tank
and not spill onto the vehicle.

Note: A fuel spillage concern may occur if overfilling the fuel tank. Do
not overfill the tank to the point that the fuel is able to bypass the fuel
filler nozzle. The overfilled fuel may run down the drain located below
and in front of the fuel filler door.

If the check fuel fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message
comes on, the fuel fill inlet may not have properly closed. The inlet may
have stuck open or debris may be preventing the inlet from fully closing.
At the next opportunity, safely pull off the road, turn off the engine,
open the fuel filler door and remove any visible debris from the fuel fill
opening. Insert either the fuel fill nozzle or the fuel fill funnel (see
Refilling with a portable fuel container for funnel location) provided
with the vehicle several times to dislodge any debris and/or allow the
inlet to close properly. If this action corrects the problem, the check fuel
fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message may not reset
immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the check fuel fill inlet
lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message to turn off. A driving cycle
consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine
off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the check
fuel fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message on may cause
the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well.

WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If you hear
a hissing sound near the fuel filler door (Easy Fuel

威 “no cap”

fuel system), do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious personal injury.

Choosing the right fuel

Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel, methanol, leaded
fuel or any other fuel. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and
could damage your vehicle.

Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.

Note: Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and repairs may not
be covered under warranty.

Maintenance and Specifications

310

Octane recommendations

“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer
fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly
in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87 are not
recommended.

Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.

Fuel quality

If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular” unleaded
gasoline.

Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.

Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.

Cleaner air

Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in the Choosing the right
fuel section.

87

(R+M)/2 METHOD

Maintenance and Specifications

311

Running out of fuel

Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.

If you have run out of fuel:
• You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after

refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.

• Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the

engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8L) may be required.

• The service engine soon

indicator may come on. For more

information on the service engine soon indicator, refer to Warning
lights and chimes in the Instrument Cluster chapter.

Refilling with a portable fuel container

With the Easy Fuel

威 “no cap” fuel system, use the following directions

when filling from a portable fuel container:

WARNING: Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the Easy Fuel

威 system. This could

damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto
the ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious
personal injury.

WARNING: Do not try to pry open or push open the Easy Fuel

威

system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system

and its seal and cause injury to you or others.

Maintenance and Specifications

312

When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
funnel included with the vehicle.

1. Locate the white plastic funnel. It
is attached to the inside of the rear
passenger side cargo compartment
access door.

2. Slowly insert the funnel into the
Easy Fuel

威 system.

3. Fill the vehicle with fuel from the portable fuel container.

4. When done, clean the funnel or properly dispose of it. Extra funnels
can be purchased from your authorized dealer if you choose to dispose
of the funnel. Do not use aftermarket funnels; they will not work with
the Easy Fuel

威 system and can damage it. The included funnel has been

specially designed to work safely with your vehicle.

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY

Measuring techniques

Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).

Maintenance and Specifications

313