FORD 2013 Escape v.2 - Manual (Page 148)

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer
that monitors the engine’s emission control
system. This system is commonly known
as the on-board diagnostics system
(OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government emission
standards. The OBD-II system also assists
your authorized dealer in properly servicing
your vehicle.
When the service engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II
system has detected a
malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may
cause the service engine soon indicator to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the
engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been
properly closed. See Refueling (page
142).
4. Driving through deep water—the
electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be
corrected by filling the fuel tank with good
quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill
inlet or letting the electrical system dry out.
After three driving cycles without these or
any other temporary malfunctions present,
the service engine soon indicator should
stay off the next time the engine is started.
A driving cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is
required.
If the service engine soon indicator remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some
malfunctions detected by the OBD-II may
not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine
soon indicator on can result in increased
emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced
engine and transmission smoothness, and
lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
Testing
Some state/provincial and local
governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs
to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting
a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb does
not work, the vehicle may need
to be serviced. See On-Board Diagnostics.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if
the service engine soon indicator is on or
not working properly (bulb is burned out),
or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this
case, the vehicle is considered not ready
for I/M testing.
145
Fuel and Refueling