Ford Escape Quiz
Automatic Transmission

Manual Park Release - Gasoline. Automatic Transmission Audible Warnings

In this manual: Automatic Transmission
Introduction — 1Symbol Glossary — 1Data Privacy — 7At a Glance — 1Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 9Personal Safety System™ — 1Airbags — 8Pedestrian Warning System. 911 Assist — 1Keys and Remote Controls — 8MyKey™ — 5Doors & Locks — 5Keyless Entry — 6Easy Entry and Exit — 1Liftgate - Vehicles With: Manual Liftgate — 3Liftgate - Vehicles With: Power Liftgate — 6Safety — 4Steering Wheel — 1Wipers and Washers — 7Exterior Lighting — 8Interior Lighting — 4Windows — 3Interior Mirror — 1Exterior Mirrors — 1Sunroof (if equipped) — 4Instrument Cluster — 16Instrument Cluster Display — 14Trip Computer — 3Head-Up Display (If Equipped) — 1Remote Start — 5Climate Control — 7Cabin Air Quality — 1Front Seats — 5Rear Seats — 1Rear Seat Reminder — 1Memory Function — 1Garage Door Opener — 7USB Ports — 3Power Point - Vehicles With: 12V Outlet — 1Wireless Accessory Charger — 1Storage — 1Starting and Stopping the Engine — 9Hybrid Electric Vehicle Information — 6Auto Start-Stop — 1Fuel and Refueling — 10Catalytic Converter — 1High-Voltage Battery — 1Charging Your Vehicle – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) — 7Automatic Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive — 1Brakes — 4Electric parking brake — 1Hill Start Assist — 1Auto Hold — 1Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 1Steering — 1Park Aid — 7Rearview Camera — 1Active Park Assist — 5Cruise Control — 1Adaptive Cruise Control — 10Drive Mode Control — 5Lane Keeping System — 6Blind Spot Information System — 5Cross-Traffic Alert — 5Pre-Collision Assist — 9Driver Alert — 4Traffic Sign Recognition — 4Loading — 6Cargo Area — 1Trailer Hitch Connection — 3Towing a Trailer — 4Trailer Sway Control — 1Driving Tips — 4Breakdown and Emergency Information — 7Towing Your Vehicle — 4Fuses — 4Maintenance — 14Vehicle Care — 5Body Styling Kits — 1Storing Your Vehicle — 1Wheels and Tires Information — 6Tire Care — 4Tire Sealant and Inflator Kit — 8Tire Pressure Monitoring System — 4Road Wheel Replacement — 1Capacities and Specifications — 16Vehicle Identification — 1Connected Vehicle — 4Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 8SYNC™ (if equipped) — 9SYNC™ 3 (if equipped) — 41Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 4Customer Information — 23Appendices — 3
17steps
~102min
4/5difficulty
Done 0 of 17

Manual Park Release - Gasoline

What is Manual Park Release

The Manual Park Release is used to move your transmission out of Park (P) in the event of an electrical failure or emergency.

Manual Park Release Precautions

Using the Manual Park Release

Activating the Manual Park Release Cable

  1. Apply the parking brake.
    Ford Escape. Manual Park Release - Gasoline. Automatic Transmission Audible Warnings
  2. Locate the Manual Park Release cable access cover on the lower instrument panel, on the lower left side of the steering column.
  3. Using a tool, carefully open the access cover.
  4. Turn the ignition on, but do not start the vehicle.
  5. Once in the driver's seat, fully depress the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Pull the orange cable toward the driver's seat until the cable locks in the override position. Then release the cable.
  6. If done correctly, a message should display in the instrument cluster screen.
  7. With your foot still fully on the brake pedal, release the parking brake.
  8. Your vehicle remains in Neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
  9. Turn the ignition off.
  10. As soon as it is safe to do so, and there is no risk of the vehicle rolling, disconnect the negative (black) battery cable from the battery.

Returning Your Vehicle to Normal Operation

  1. As soon as it is safe to do so, reconnect the negative (black) battery cable to the battery.
  2. Apply the parking brake.
  3. Fully depress the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Pull the orange cable outward toward the driver's seat to release it from the locked position.
  4. The cable will release and retract back to its original resting position.
  5. Secure the Manual Park Release cable back inside the instrument panel opening, install the access cover, and return it to its original position.
  6. With your foot fully on the brake pedal, start the vehicle. Confirm that the vehicle is in Park (P) and that the instrument cluster indicates Park (P).
  7. If the instrument cluster does not display Park (P) or a message is displayed on the instrument cluster screen, make sure you applied the parking brake before exiting the vehicle. Contact an authorized dealer for service.

Automatic Transmission Audible Warnings

Transmission Not in Park (P) Audible Warning

Sounds when the driver door is opened before shifting into Park (P).

Test yourself

A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.