2022 Ford Escape Owners Manual - Pre-Collision Assist

Pre-Collision Assist

Pre-collision assist detects and warns of approaching hazards in the roadway. If your vehicle is rapidly approaching another stationary vehicle, a vehicle traveling in the same direction as yours, or a pedestrian within your driving path, the system provides multiple levels of assistance to help avoid a collision.

HOW DOES PRE-COLLISION ASSIST WORK



The system warns the driver of potential hazards by providing three levels of assistance.

If your vehicle is rapidly approaching potential hazards, the system provides the following levels of functionality:

1. Alert.

1. Brake Support.

1. Automatic Emergency Braking.

Alert: When active, a flashing visual warning appears and an audible warning tone sounds.

Brake Support: The system is designed to help reduce the impact speed by preparing the brakes for rapid braking. The system does not automatically apply the brakes. If you press the brake pedal, the system could apply additional braking up to maximum braking force, even if you lightly press the brake pedal.

Automatic Emergency Braking: Automatic emergency braking may activate if the system determines that a collision is imminent.

Note:   If you perceive the pre-collision assist alerts as being too frequent or disturbing, then you can reduce the alert sensitivity. Setting the low sensitivity would result in fewer and later warnings of a potential forward collision. The manufacturer recommends using the high sensitivity setting where possible.

Note:   Automatic emergency braking performance is not affected by the sensitivity setting.

Each system has various level of detection capabilities. 

PRE-COLLISION ASSIST PRECAUTIONS



WARNING:  You are responsible for controlling your vehicle at all times. The system is designed to be an aid and does not relieve you of your responsibility to drive with due care and attention. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.    WARNING:  The system does not detect vehicles moving in a different direction or animals. Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.    WARNING:  The system does not operate during hard acceleration or steering. Failure to take care may lead to a crash or personal injury.    WARNING:  The system may operate with reduced function during cold and inclement weather conditions. Snow, ice, rain, spray and fog can adversely affect the system. Keep the front camera and radar free of snow and ice. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death.    WARNING:  Take additional care if your vehicle is heavily loaded or you are towing a trailer. These conditions could result in reduced performance of this system. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.    WARNING:  The system cannot help prevent all crashes. Do not rely on this system to replace driver judgment and the need to maintain a safe distance and speed.    WARNING:  In situations where the vehicle camera has limited detection capability, this may reduce system performance. These situations include but are not limited to direct or low sunlight, vehicles at night without tail lights, unconventional vehicle types, pedestrians with complex backgrounds, running pedestrians, partly obscured pedestrians, or pedestrians that the system cannot distinguish from a group. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death.

PRE-COLLISION ASSIST LIMITATIONS



Pre-collision assist depends on the detection ability of its camera and sensors. Any obstructions or damage to these areas can limit detection or prevent the system from functioning.   See   Locating the Pre-Collision Assist Sensors. 

The system is active at 3 mph (5 km/h) and above.

Note:   The pre-collision assist system disables when you select four-wheel drive low or manually disable AdvanceTrac™.

Note:   Brake support and automatic emergency braking are active at speeds up to 80 mph (130 km/h). If the vehicle has a radar sensor included with adaptive cruise control, then brake support and automatic emergency braking are active up to the maximum speed of the vehicle.

Pedestrian Detection Limitations

Pedestrian detection is active at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

Pedestrian detection functions optimally when detected hazards are clearly identifiable. System performance may reduce in situations where pedestrians are running, partly obscured, have a complex background, or cannot be distinguished from a group.

SWITCHING PRE-COLLISION ASSIST ON AND OFF



You cannot switch the system off.

Adjusting the Pre-Collision Assist Settings

You can adjust the following settings by using the touchscreen controls in the pre-collision assist menu:

• Change alert and distance alert sensitivity to one of three possible settings.
• If required, switch automatic emergency braking on or off.
• If required, switch evasive steering assist on or off.

Note:   Automatic emergency braking and evasive steering automatically turn on every time you start your vehicle.

Note:   If you switch automatic emergency braking off, evasive steering assist switches off.

LOCATING THE PRE-COLLISION ASSIST SENSORS



1.Camera. 2.Radar sensor (if equipped).

If a message regarding a blocked sensor or camera appears in the information display, something is obstructing the radar signals or camera images. The radar sensor is behind the fascia cover in the center of the lower grille. With a blocked sensor or camera, the system may not function, or performance may reduce.   See   Pre-Collision Assist – Information Messages. 

Note:   Proper system operation requires a clear view of the road by the camera. Repair any windshield damage in the area of the camera's field of view.

Note:   If something hits the front end of your vehicle or damage occurs and your vehicle has a radar sensor, the radar sensing zone could change. This could cause missed or false vehicle detections. Have your vehicle serviced to have the radar checked for proper coverage and operation.

Note:   If your vehicle detects excessive heat at the camera or a potential misalignment condition, a message could display in the information display indicating temporary sensor unavailability. When operational conditions are correct, the message deactivates. For example, when the ambient temperature around the sensor decreases or the sensor recalibrates successfully.

WHAT IS DISTANCE INDICATION



Distance indication displays the gap between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.

Note:   The graphic does not display if you switch on cruise control or adaptive cruise control.

SWITCHING DISTANCE INDICATION ON AND OFF



To switch the system on or off, use the touchscreen:

1. Press Settings on the touchscreen.

1. Press Driver Assistance.

1. Press Pre-Collision Assist.

1. Press Distance Indication.

DISTANCE INDICATION INDICATOR



The indicator displays the time gap between your vehicle and vehicles traveling in the same direction ahead of you.

WHAT IS DISTANCE ALERT



The system alerts you with a warning lamp if the distance to the vehicle ahead is small.

Note:   The warning lamp does not illuminate if cruise control or adaptive cruise control is active.

ADJUSTING THE SENSITIVITY OF DISTANCE ALERT



To adjust the sensitivity of the system, use the touchscreen:

1. Press Settings on the touchscreen.

1. Press Driver Assistance.

1. Press Pre-Collision Assist.

1. Press Alert Sensitivity.

1. Press a setting.

WHAT IS AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING



Automatic emergency braking may activate if the system determines that a collision is imminent. The system may help to reduce impact damage or avoid the crash completely.

Automatic emergency braking is only available up to certain speeds.

SWITCHING AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ON AND OFF



To switch the system on or off, use the touchscreen:

1. Press Settings on the touchscreen.

1. Press Driver Assistance.

1. Press Pre-Collision Assist.

1. Press Active Braking.

1. Switch the feature on or off.

WHAT IS EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST



If your vehicle is rapidly approaching a road user, evasive steering assist helps you steer around the road user.

After you turn the steering wheel in an attempt to avoid a crash with the road user, the system applies additional steering torque to help you steer around the road user. After you pass the road user, the system applies steering torque when you turn the steering wheel to steer back into the lane. The system deactivates after you fully pass the road user.

Note:   Road users are defined as another stationary vehicle in the same lane, a vehicle traveling in the same lane in the same direction as yours, a cyclist traveling in the same direction as yours or a pedestrian within your driving path. 

EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST LIMITATIONS

Evasive steering assist only activates when all the following occur:

• Automatic emergency braking and evasive steering assist are on.
• The system detects a road user ahead and starts to apply the brakes.
• You significantly turn the steering wheel to steer around a road user.

Note:   Evasive steering assist does not automatically steer around a road user. If you do not turn the steering wheel, evasive steering assist does not activate.

Note:   Evasive steering assist does not activate if the distance to the road user ahead is too small and the system cannot avoid a crash.

SWITCHING EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST ON AND OFF



To switch the system on or off, use the touchscreen:

1. Press Settings on the touchscreen.

1. Press Driver Assistance.

1. Press Pre-Collision Assist.

1. Press Evasive Steering.

1. Switch the feature on or off.

Note:   If you switch automatic emergency braking off, evasive steering assist turns off.

Note:   Automatic emergency braking and evasive steering assist turn on every time you switch the ignition on.

PRE-COLLISION ASSIST – INFORMATION MESSAGES



PRE-COLLISION ASSIST – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



What should I do if the windshield in front of the camera is dirty or obstructed?

• Clean the outside of the windshield in front of the camera.

What if the windshield in front of the camera is clean, but the message remains in the instrument cluster display?

• Wait a short time. It could take several minutes for the camera to detect that there is no obstruction.

What should I do if the surface of the radar in the grille is dirty or obstructed?

• Clean the grille surface in front of the radar or remove the object causing the obstruction.

What if the surface of the radar in the grille is clean, but the message remains in the instrument cluster display?

• Wait a short time. It could take several minutes for the radar to detect that there is no obstruction.

Can weather or road conditions interfere with the radar signals?

• Yes, weather such as heavy rain, spray or fog as well as water, snow or ice on the surface of the road can interfere with the radar signals. In these situations, the system temporarily disables this feature. Pre-collision assist reactivates a short time after the weather conditions improve.

What if the radar is out of alignment due to a front end impact?

• Have your vehicle serviced to have the radar checked for proper coverage and operation.