2024 FORD Escape Cruise Control System | Complete Guidance

2024 FORD Escape Cruise Control System | Complete Guidance

The 2024 Ford Escape Cruise Control System welcomes you to the future of driving convenience. This cutting-edge technology redefines travel convenience, seamlessly integrating into your driving experience and providing unparalleled comfort and control. The Cruise Control System in the 2024 Ford Escape provides a comprehensive set of advanced features, ensuring a safe, relaxed, and enjoyable drive every time.

2023 Ford Escape Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)

Cruise Control

WHAT IS CRUISE CONTROL
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.

Requirements
Use cruise control when the vehicle speed is greater than 20 mph (30 km/h).

SWITCHING CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF

WARNING: Do not use cruise control on winding roads, in heavy traffic or when the road surface is slippery. This could result in loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death.

The cruise controls are on the steering wheel. See Steering Wheel

Switching Cruise Control On

Press the button to put the system in standby mode

Switching Cruise Control Off
Press the button when in standby mode or switch the ignition off.

Note: When you switch cruise control off the set speed clears.

SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED

WARNING: When you are going downhill, your vehicle speed could increase above the set speed. The system does not apply the brakes.

Drive to the speed you prefer.
Press either button to set the current speed.

Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Note: The indicator changes color in the information display.

Changing the Set Speed
Press and release the button to increase the set speed in small increments.

Press and hold the button to accelerate. Release the button when you reach your preferred speed.

Press and release the button to decrease the set speed in small increments.

Press and hold the button to decelerate. Release the button when you reach your preferred speed.

`Note: If you accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal, the set speed does not change. When you release the accelerator pedal, your vehicle returns to the speed that you previously set.

CANCELING THE SET SPEED
Press the button, or tap the brake pedal to cancel the set speed.

Note: The system remembers the set speed.
Note: The system cancels if the vehicle speed drops below 10 mph (16 km/h) under the set speed when driving uphill.

RESUMING THE SET SPEED
Press the button.

CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORS

Illuminates when you switch the system on.

HOW DOES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO WORK
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go uses radar and camera sensors to maintain a set gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you while following it to a complete stop. Stop and go can also be set to follow a vehicle directly in front of you and adjust the set speed, while you are at a complete stop.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL 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: Do not use adaptive cruise control on winding roads, in heavy traffic or when the road surface is slippery. This could result in loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death.

WARNING: Pay close attention to changing road conditions such as entering or leaving a highway, on roads with intersections or roundabouts, roads without visible lanes of travel, roads that are unpaved, or steep slopes. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.

WARNING: The system is not a crash warning or avoidance system.

WARNING: Do not use the system when towing a trailer that has aftermarket electronic trailer brake controls. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.

WARNING: Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended because this can affect the normal operation of the system. Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which could result in serious injury.

WARNING: Do not use the system with a snow plow blade installed.

WARNING: In situations with poor visibility, such as fog, heavy rain or other inclement weather, you may need to override or completely switch off the system.

When Following a Vehicle

WARNING: When following a vehicle that is braking, your vehicle does not always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a crash without driver intervention. Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

Hilly Condition Usage
Select a lower gear when the system is active in situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep slopes, for example in mountainous areas.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL LIMITATIONS

Sensor Limitations

WARNING: On rare occasions, detection issues can occur due to the road infrastructures, for example bridges, tunnels and safety barriers. In these cases, the system may brake late or unexpectedly. At all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system and intervening, if required.

WARNING: If the system malfunctions, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

WARNING: Large contrasts in outside lighting can limit sensor performance.

WARNING: The system only warns of vehicles detected by the radar sensor. In some cases there may be no warning or a delayed warning. Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

WARNING: The system may not detect stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h).

WARNING: The system does not detect pedestrians or objects in the road.

WARNING: The system does not detect oncoming vehicles in the same lane.

WARNING: The system may not operate properly if the sensor is blocked. Keep the windshield free from obstruction.

WARNING: The system may incorrectly track lane markings as other structures or objects. This can result in a false or missed warning. The camera is mounted on the windshield behind the interior mirror.

The radar sensor is in the lower grille.

Note: You cannot see the sensor. It is behind a fascia panel.

Note: Keep the front of your vehicle free of dirt, metal badges or objects. Vehicle front protectors, aftermarket lights, additional paint or plastic coatings could also degrade sensor performance.

A message displays if something obstructs the camera or the sensor. When something blocks the sensor, the system cannot detect a vehicle ahead and does not function. See Adaptive Cruise Control .
The radar sensor has a limited field of view. It may not detect vehicles at all or detect a vehicle later than expected in some situations. The lead vehicle image does not illuminate if the system does not detect a vehicle in front of you.

Detection issues can occur:

When driving on a different line than the vehicle in front.
With vehicles that edge into your lane. The system can only detect these vehicles once they move fully into your lane.
There may be issues with the detection of vehicles in front when driving into and coming out of a bend or curve in the road.

In these cases, the system may brake late or unexpectedly.
If something hits the front end of your vehicle or damage occurs, the
radar-sensing zone may change. This could cause missed or false vehicle detection.

Optimal system performance requires a clear view of the road by the windshield-mounted camera.
Optimal performance may not occur if:

• The camera is blocked.
• There is poor visibility or lighting conditions.
• There are bad weather conditions.

SWITCHING ADAPTIVE
CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF
The cruise controls are on the steering wheel. See Steering Wheel 

Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On

Press the button to set the system in standby mode.

The indicator, current gap setting and set speed appear in the information display.

Switching Adaptive Cruise Control Off

Press the button when the system is in standby mode, or switch the ignition off.

Note: You erase the set speed when you switch the system off.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION
The system may cancel if:

• The tires lose traction.
• You apply the parking brake.

The system may cancel and set the parking brake if:

• You unbuckle the seatbelt and open the driver door after adaptive cruise control stops your vehicle.
• Adaptive cruise control holds your vehicle at a stop continuously for more than three minutes.

The system may deactivate or prevent activating when requested if:

• The vehicle has a blocked sensor.
• The brake temperature is too high.
• There is a failure in the system or a related system.

SETTING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED
Drive to the speed you prefer.

Press either button to set the current speed.

Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The indicator, current gap setting and set speed appear in the information display.

A vehicle image illuminates if there is a vehicle detected in front of you.

Note: When adaptive cruise control is active, the speedometer may vary slightly from the set speed displayed in the information display.

A vehicle graphic appears in the instrument cluster display if the system detects a vehicle in front of you.

Note: When adaptive cruise control is active, the speedometer could vary slightly from the set speed displayed in the instrument cluster display.
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed When Your Vehicle is Stationary

1. Follow a vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Keep the brake pedal fully pressed.
3. Press and release SET+ or SET-.

The set speed adjusts to 20 mph (30 km/h).
The indicator, current gap setting and set speed appear in the instrument cluster display.

Changing the Set Speed
Press the toggle button upward to increase the set speed.
Press the toggle button downward to decrease the set speed.

You can adjust the set speed in small or large increments. Press the toggle button upward or downward once to adjust the set speed in small increments. Press and hold the toggle button upward or downward to adjust the set speed in large increments.
The system could apply the brakes to slow your vehicle to the new set speed. The set speed continuously displays in the instrument cluster display when the system is active.

 

 

SETTING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL GAP
You can decrease or increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front by pressing the gap control.

Note: It is your responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the driving conditions.

The selected gap appears in the instrument cluster display as shown by the bars in the image. You can select four gap settings.

Adaptive Cruise Control Gap Settings

Graphic Display, Bars Indic-	Gap Distance	Dynamic Behavior
ated
Between
Vehicles
1	Closest.	Sport.
2	Close.	Normal.
3	Medium.	Normal.
4	Far.	Comfort.

When you switch the ignition on, the system automatically selects the last chosen gap setting.

Following a Vehicle
When a vehicle ahead of you enters the same lane or a slower vehicle is ahead in the same lane, the vehicle speed adjusts to maintain the gap setting.

Note: When you are following a vehicle and you switch on a turn signal lamp, adaptive cruise control may provide a small, temporary acceleration to help you pass.
Your vehicle maintains a consistent gap from the vehicle ahead until:

• The vehicle in front of you accelerates to a speed above the set speed.
• The vehicle in front of you moves out of the lane you are in.
• You set a new gap distance.

The system applies the brakes to slow down your vehicle to maintain a safe gap distance from the vehicle in front of you. The system only applies limited braking. You can override the system by applying the brakes.
Note: The brakes may emit noise when applied by the system.

If the system determines that its maximum braking level is not sufficient, an audible warning sounds, a message appears in the instrument cluster display and an indicator flashes when the system continues to brake. Take immediate action.

Following a Vehicle to a Complete StopIf your vehicle follows a vehicle to a complete stop and remains stationary for less than three seconds, your vehicle accelerates from a stationary position to follow the vehicle ahead.

If your vehicle follows a vehicle to a complete stop and remains stationary for more than three seconds, press and release the button or press the accelerator pedal to follow the vehicle ahead

Note: The brakes may emit noise when applied by the system.

CANCELING THE SET SPEED

Press the button or tap the brake pedal to cancel the set speed.

Note: The system remembers the set speed.
Note: The system cancels if the vehicle speed drops below 10 mph (16 km/h) under the set speed when driving uphill.

RESUMING THE SET SPEED

Press the button.

Your vehicle speed returns to the previously set speed and gap setting. The set speed displays continuously in the information display when the system is active.

Note: Only use resume if you are aware of the set speed and intend to return to it.

OVERRIDING THE SET SPEED

WARNING: If you override the system by pressing the accelerator pedal, it does not automatically apply the brakes to maintain a gap from any vehicle ahead.

When you press the accelerator pedal, you override the set speed and gap distance.
Use the accelerator pedal to intentionally exceed the set speed limit.
When you override the system, the green indicator illuminates and the vehicle icon does not appear in the instrument cluster display.
The system resumes operation when you release the accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed decreases to the set speed, or a lower speed if following a slower vehicle.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORS

Illuminates when you switch adaptive cruise control on. The color of the indicator changes to indicate the system status.

White indicates the system is on but inactive.
Green indicates that you set the speed and the system is active.

SWITCHING FROM ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL TO CRUISE CONTROL

WARNING: Normal cruise control will not brake when your vehicle is approaching slower vehicles. Always be aware of which mode you have selected and apply the brakes when necessary.

1. Press Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press Driver Assistance.
3. Press Cruise Control.
4. Press Normal

LANE CENTERING

HOW DOES LANE CENTERING WORK
Adaptive cruise control with lane centering uses the vehicle’s front radar sensor and front windshield camera sensor, together with the steering sensor to operate.
Using these sensors, the system applies continuous steering assistance towards driving in the middle of the lane you choose on highway roads.
Note: The gap setting for adaptive cruise control with lane centering, operates in the same way as normal adaptive cruise control.

LANE CENTERING PRECAUTIONS

WARNING: Do not use the system when towing a trailer. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.

WARNING: Do not use the system if any changes or modifications to the steering wheel have been made. Any changes or modifications to the steering wheel could affect the functionality or performance of the system. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.

Adaptive cruise control precautions apply to lane centering unless stated otherwise or contradicted by a lane centering precaution. See Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions

LANE CENTERING REQUIREMENTS
You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Lane centering only activates when all of the following occur:

• Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is enabled in your information and entertainment screen.
• You have adaptive cruise control with stop and go enabled and set.
• The steering sensor detects your hands on the steering wheel.
• The system detects both lane markings when driving on a straight road.
• Your vehicle is initially centered in the lane between two visible line markings.

Note: If the system does not detect valid lane line markings, the system will remain in standby until valid line markings are availables.

LANE CENTERING LIMITATIONS
Adaptive cruise control limitations apply to lane centering unless stated otherwise or contradicted by a lane centering limitation. 
Lane centering may not correctly operate in any of the following conditions:

• The lane width is too narrow or wide.
• The curve in the road is too tight.
• The system does not detect the minimum required lane markings or when lanes merge or split.
• When the required steering effort to maintain lane center exceeds the lane centering system limit.
• When driving in areas that are under construction or when road work is in progress.
• If the front windshield camera and/or the front radar are blocked.
• When using a spare tire.
• Inclement weather conditions including, but not limited to, high wind, heavy rain, and fog.
• Driving into direct sunlight.
• When modification to the steering system has been made, including alterations to the steering wheel.
• When towing a trailer.

Note: The system steering assistance is limited and may not have sufficient effort for all driving situations and/or conditions, such as driving through tight curves or driving through curves at high speeds.

Note: In exceptional conditions, the system may deviate from the lane center.

SWITCHING LANE CENTERING ON AND OFF
You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.
The controls are on the steering wheel. 

Press the button.
The indicator appears in the instrument cluster. When the lane centering system is on, the color of the indicator changes to indicate the system status.
You can override the system at any time by steering your vehicle.

Note: The lane centering requirements must be met before you can enable the feature. See Lane Centering Requirements 

LANE CENTERING ALERTS
You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.
When the system is active and detects no steering activity for a period of time, the system alerts you to put your hands on the steering wheel. If you do not react appropriately to the warnings the adaptive cruise control with lane centering system cancels and slows your vehicle down to idle speeds while maintaining steering control. 
The system also alerts you if your vehicle crosses lane line markings without detected steering activity.
Note: The system could detect a light grip or light touch on the steering wheel as hands-off driving.

LANE CENTERING AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION
When an external condition cancels the system, for example, no lane markings available, a tone sounds and a message appears in the information display.

If your vehicle starts to slow down, you must provide steering input to the wheel and press and release the button to regain full system performance.

Automatic cancellation can also occur if:

• The lane becomes too wide or too narrow.
• The system cannot detect valid lane markings.
• Lane markings cross over one another.

Note: The system disables until the next key cycle if your vehicle slows down due to driver inactivity twice within a key cycle.

LANE CENTERING MANUAL CANCELLATION
When an external condition cancels the system, and your hands are on the steering wheel, a tone sounds and a message appears in the instrument cluster display.
When an external condition cancels the system, and your hands are not on the steering wheel, the system immediately alerts you to take control of the vehicle. If this alert is ignored, the system slows the vehicle while maintaining steering assistance when lane markings are available. When no lane markings are available, the vehicle comes to a s

If your vehicle starts to slow down after system cancellation, you must take full control of the vehicle. To re-enable adaptive cruise control with lane centering after cancellation, press and release the resume button.

Automatic cancellation can also occur if:

• The lane becomes too wide or narrow.
• The system cannot detect valid lane markings.
• Lane markings cross over one another.
• The curve of the road is too sharp.

Note: If your vehicle slows down due to your inactivity twice within a key cycle, the system disables. To reset the system, when the vehicle is stationary, return the gear selector to park (P) and turn the vehicle off.
Then, restart the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal.

LANE CENTERING MANUAL CANCELLATION

When you perform the following actions, adaptive cruise control with lane centering will cancel:

• The brake pedal is pressed.
• Adaptive cruise control button on the
  steering wheel is switched off.

The lane centering system is momentarily suppressed when either of the following actions are performed:

• Turn signal indicator is latched or tapped.
• You steer the vehicle out of lane

LANE CENTERING INDICATORS

Illuminates when you switch lane centering on. The color of the indicator changes to indicate the system status. Gray indicates the system is on but inactive.
Green indicates the system is active and applying steering torque assistance input to keep your vehicle in the center of the
lane.

Amber with an audible tone and then gray indicates a system automatic cancellation.

LANE CENTERING –
TROUBLESHOOTING
LANE CENTERING –INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note: Depending on your vehicle options and instrument cluster type, some messages can appear different or not at all.

Message	Details
Keep Hands on Steering Wheel	You must return your hands to the steering wheel and provide steering input to cancel the message.
Lane Centering Assist Not Available	Lane centering is currently not available, due to conditions that prevent the system from becoming active. To reset the system, when the vehicle is stationary, return the gear selector to park (P) and turn the vehicle off. Then, restart the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal.
Resume Control	Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is about to cancel. You must immediately take full control of the vehicle.
Press Accelerator Pedal to Resume	Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is in standby mode. When safe to do so, you can resume adaptive cruise control with lane centering by applying pressure on the accelerator pedal. Alternatively, you can also re-enable adaptive cruise control with lane centering by pressing the resume button on the steering wheel.

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST
HOW DOES PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST WORK
Predictive Speed Assist works with adaptive cruise control and adjusts the vehicle speed to the road geometry and to the speed limit detected by the speed sign recognition system. As the system identifies curves and highway exits, the vehicle speed temporarily decreases ahead of and during the changing road geometry. When passing new speed signs, the set speed updates. 
There are limitations that affect the accuracy of the speed sign recognition system and its ability to determine the current speed limit. Predictive speed assist and its ability to determine the current speed limit shares these limitations. 

Note: The adaptive cruise control gap setting operates normally when the feature is enabled.

PREDICTIVE SPEED 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: Pay close attention to changing road conditions. You may need to override the system by pressing the brake or accelerator pedal if the adjusted speed becomes higher or lower than necessary.

WARNING: The system only provides limited braking. Your vehicle may not always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a crash without driver intervention. Apply the brakes when necessary.

WARNING: The system does not activate the turn signal.

Adaptive cruise control precautions apply to predictive speed assist unless stated otherwise or contradicted by a predictive speed assist precaution. 
The system only applies limited braking. You can override the system with the accelerator pedal or cancel the system by applying the brakes.
The system may adapt to various factors such as time of day, lane width. This could influence speed adjustments and accelerations.
The system may adapt to various drive modes. This could influence speed adjustments and accelerations.
Note: The system does not activate the turn signal automatically.

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST LIMITATIONS

WARNING: The system may not always adjust vehicle speed in certain road or weather conditions such as crossing traffic, yield or stop signs, right of way, traffic lights, speed bumps, rain, snow, fog. You must always apply the brake or accelerator pedal when necessary.

The road geometry and speed limit information provided by the navigation map data could be inaccurate or out of date.
The system may not detect and read speed limit signs with conditional information, for example, when a sign is flashing, during specific time ranges, or when children are present.

Note: The system does not set the vehicle speed to speed limits shown with a supplementary traffic sign.
Under certain conditions, the system may not adjust the vehicle speed until after your vehicle passes the speed limit.
Detection of road geometry operates only where related information is available. Road geometry information may not be available in some areas.

SWITCHING PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST MODE ON AND OFF

1. Press Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press Driver Assistance.
3. Press Cruise Control.
4. Press Adaptive Cruise Control.
5. Switch Predictive Speed Assist on or off.

ADJUSTING THE SET SPEED TOLERANCE

1. Press Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press Driver Assistance.
3. Press Cruise Control.
4. Press Adaptive Cruise Control.
5. Switch Predictive Speed Assist on.
6. Press Tolerance.
7. Adjust the slider to set the tolerance.

Note: You can set tolerance for vehicle speed adjustment based on speed sign recognition only.

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST ALERTS
If the speed sign recognition system detects a speed limit below the minimum adaptive cruise control set speed, a tone sounds and the system returns to standby mode.

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST INDICATORS – VEHICLES WITH: 8 INCH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SCREEN
A blue marker around the speed sign and a blue arrow next to the set speed indicates that the system is active.

Speed sign indicator

When the system detects a new speed sign, a gray indicator appears above the set speed while the system adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed limit. When the speed limit is reached, the set speed updates and the gray indicator disappears.

Road geometry indicator

When the system detects a curve or
highway exit, the vehicle starts to
decelerate, and the indicator appears and
changes color.

Road geometry indicator symbols

Left curve.
Right curve

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST INDICATORS – VEHICLES WITH: 12.3 INCH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SCREEN
A blue marker around the speed sign and a blue arrow next to the set speed indicates that the system is active.

Speed sign indicator

When the system detects a new speed sign, a gray indicator appears above the set speed while the system adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed limit. When the speed limit is reached, the set speed updates and the gray indicator disappears.

Road geometry indicator

When the system detects a curve or highway exit, the vehicle starts to decelerate, and the indicator appears and changes color.

Road geometry indicator symbols

Left curve.
Right curve.

PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST – TROUBLESHOOTING PREDICTIVE SPEED ASSIST – INFORMATION MESSAGES

Message	Action
Keep Hands on Steering Wheel	You must return your hands to the steering wheel and provide steering input to cancel the message.
Lane Centering Assist Not Available	Lane centering is currently not available, due to conditions that prevent the system from becoming active. To reset the system, when the vehicle is stationary, return the gear selector to park (P) and turn the vehicle off. Then, restart the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal.
Resume Control	Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is about to cancel. You must immediately take full control of the vehicle.
Press Accelerator Pedal to Resume	Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is in standby mode. When safe to do so, you can resume adaptive cruise control with lane centering by applying pressure on the accelerator pedal. Alternatively, you can also re-enable adaptive cruise control with lane centering by pressing the resume button on the steering wheel.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full PDF: 2024 FORD Expedition Owner’s Manual|Auto User Guide
2024 FORD Escape Instrument Cluster | How to use
2023 Ford Escape Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)