Ford Escape: Automatic Transmission / Shifting Your Vehicle Into Gear. Automatic Transmission Position Indicators
Shifting Your Vehicle Into Gear

Your vehicle has an electronic transmission
selector. The transmission selector is on
the center console. The gears are selected
by rotating the transmission selector to
PRNDL.
- Park (P)
- Reverse (R)
- Neutral (N)
- Drive (D)
- Low (L)
Putting your vehicle in gear:
- Fully press down the brake pedal.
- Rotate the transmission selector to the
position you want and release.
- The transmission position you select
illuminates.
- Release the brake pedal and your
transmission remains in the selected
gear.
Note: If you attempt to leave your vehicle
when it is in gear, your vehicle automatically
shifts into park (P).
Automatic Transmission Position Indicators
The instrument cluster displays the current
position.

Note: The position could illuminate on the
transmission selector.
Park (P)
This position locks the driveline and
prevents the wheels from turning.
The engine can start with the shifter in this
position.
The electric parking brake could apply if:
You shift to park (P) on a slope...
What Is Temporary Neutral Mode
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral
(N) when you switch your vehicle off. Use
this mode if you exit your vehicle or switch
your vehicle off at an automatic car wash...
Other information:
Special Tool(s) /
General Equipment
Interior Trim Remover
Removal
NOTE:
Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.
Release the clips, the trim anchors and remove the center upper liftgate interior trim panel...
Inspection
NOTE:
Do not use a caustic cleaning solution or a wire brush to clean the pistons or damage can occur.
Clean and inspect the (1) ring lands, (2) pin bosses,
(3) skirts and the (4) tops of the pistons. If wear marks, scores or
glazing is found on the piston skirt, check for a bent or twisted
connecting rod...