Ford Escape (2018 year). Manual — part 39

PARKING BRAKE

WARNING

Always fully apply the parking brake
and make sure you shift into park (P).
Switch the ignition off and remove

the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

To apply the parking brake:

1.

Firmly press the brake pedal.

2. Pull the parking brake lever upward to

its fullest extent.

Note: Do not press the release button when
pulling the parking brake lever upward.

Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing uphill, shift into park (P) and turn the
steering wheel away from the curb.

Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing downhill, shift into park (P) and turn
the steering wheel toward the curb.

To release the parking brake:

1.

Firmly press the brake pedal.

2. Slightly pull the parking brake lever

upward.

3. Press the release button and push the

parking brake lever downward.

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE

The electric parking brake replaces the
conventional handbrake. The operating
switch is on the center console.

WARNING

Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission in park (P).

Note: When you apply the electric parking
brake in certain conditions, for example, on
a steep hill, the electric parking brake may
reapply the brakes within three to ten
minutes.

Note: You may notice various noises when
you apply and release the electric parking
brake. This is normal and no cause for
concern.

Applying the Electric Parking
brake

WARNINGS

The brake system warning lamp will
flash when applying the electric
parking brake. If the brake system

warning lamp continues to flash there
could be a problem with your electric
parking brake. Have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible.

Applying the electric parking brake
while moving will result in the
engagement of the anti-lock braking

system. Do not use the electric parking
brake system when the vehicle is moving
unless the normal brake system is unable
to stop the vehicle.

With the exception of emergency
conditions (for example, the brake
pedal is broken or is blocked), do not

apply the electric parking brake while the
vehicle is moving. On bends, or poor road
surfaces or weather conditions, emergency
braking can cause the vehicle to skid out
of control or off the road.

Note: The brake system warning lamp
illuminates for ten seconds if you switch the
ignition off after you apply the electric
parking brake, or you apply the electric
parking brake after you switch the ignition
off.

Note: The electric parking brake will not
automatically apply. You must apply the
electric parking brake using the electric
parking brake switch.

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Pull the switch up to apply the electric
parking brake.

The brake system warning lamp flashes
for about two seconds and then
illuminates to confirm that you have
applied the electric parking brake. See
Information Displays (page 92).

If you apply the electric parking brake when
your vehicle is moving, the brake system
warning lamp illuminates and a warning
tone sounds. See Information Displays
(page 92).

If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph
(6 km/h), the braking force is applied as
long as you pull the switch. Releasing or
pressing the switch or pressing the
accelerator pedal stops the braking force.

Releasing the Electric Parking
Brake

You can release the electric parking brake
either manually by pressing the switch or
automatically.

Manual release

WARNING

If the brake system warning light
remains illuminated or flashes for
more than four seconds after you

have released the parking brake, there
could be a problem with your braking
system. Have your vehicle checked as soon
as possible.

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You can manually release the electric
parking brake by:

1.

Switching the ignition on.

2. Pressing the brake pedal.

3. Pressing the electric parking brake

switch.

When the electric parking brake is released,
the brake system warning lamp turns off.

Automatic release - drive away release

Your vehicle automatically releases the
parking brake if all of the following
conditions exist:
•

The driver door is closed.

•

The accelerator pedal is pressed.

•

The transmission is in drive (D), reverse
(R) or sport mode (S).

•

There are no faults detected in the
parking brake system.

Note: If the electric parking brake warning
lamp stays illuminated, the electric parking
brake will not automatically release. You
must release the electric parking brake using
the electric parking brake switch.

The brake system warning lamp goes off
to confirm that you have released the
electric parking brake.

Note: The electric parking brake drive away
release makes starting on a hill easier. This
feature releases the parking brake
automatically when the vehicle has
sufficient drive force to move up the hill. To
assure drive away release when starting
uphill, press the accelerator pedal quickly.

Driving with a Trailer

Depending on the slope and the weight of
the trailer, your vehicle and trailer may roll
backwards slightly when you start on a
slope.

To prevent this from happening, do the
following:

1.

Pull the switch up and hold it in this
position.

2. Drive your vehicle, then release the

switch when you notice that the engine
has developed sufficient driving force.

Battery With No Charge

WARNING

You will not be able to apply or
release the electric parking brake if
the battery is low or has no charge.

If the battery is low or has no charge, use
jumper cables and a booster battery.

HILL START ASSIST

WARNINGS

The system does not replace the
parking brake. When you leave your
vehicle, always apply the parking

brake and shift the transmission into park
(P) for automatic transmission or first gear
for manual transmission.

You must remain in your vehicle
when the system turns on. At all
times, you are responsible for

controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required. Failure
to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death.

Note: If the engine is revved excessively, or
if a malfunction is detected, the system will
be deactivated.

The system makes it easier to pull away
when your vehicle is on a slope without the
need to use the parking brake.

When the system is active, your vehicle will
remain stationary on the slope for two to
three seconds after you release the brake
pedal. This allows you time to move your
foot from the brake to the accelerator
pedal. The brakes release automatically
when the engine has sufficient torque to
prevent your vehicle from rolling down the
grade. This is an advantage when pulling
away on a slope, for example from a car
park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing
uphill into a parking space.

The system will activate automatically on
any slope that will cause significant vehicle
rollback. For vehicles with a manual
transmission, you can switch this feature
off using the information display. See
Information Displays (page 92). The
system will remain on or off depending on
how it was last set.

Note: There is no warning lamp to indicate
the system is either on or off.

Note: If your vehicle is equipped with Auto
Hold, Hill Start Assist will not be available
while Auto Hold is active.

Using Hill Start Assist

1.

Bring your vehicle to a complete
standstill. Keep the brake pedal
pressed and select an uphill gear (for
example, drive (D) or first (1) when
facing uphill or reverse (R) when facing
downhill).

2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle

is on a slope, the system will activate
automatically.

3. When you remove your foot from the

brake pedal, your vehicle will remain
on the slope without rolling away for
about two or three seconds. This hold
time will automatically be extended if
you are in the process of driving off.

4. Drive off in the normal manner. The

brakes will release automatically.

Switching the System On and Off

You can switch this feature on or off if your
vehicle is equipped with a manual
transmission and an information display.
See General Information (page 92). The
system remembers the last setting when
you start your vehicle.

If your vehicle is not equipped with a
manual transmission and an information
display, you cannot turn the system on or
off. When you switch the ignition on, the
system automatically turns on.