2001 Ford Escape: Safety and Security
11 January 2000
2001 Ford Escape: Safety and Security
DETROIT, Jan. 11 -- "Our customers may live a fast-paced
lifestyle, but they take safety and security very seriously. We didn't make
any compromises in offering a wide array of standard and available safety and
security features. In fact, with its stiff bodyshell and comprehensive
occupant protection features, Escape is expected to be one of the safest
vehicles in its class."
-- Derrick Kuzak, Ford Escape vehicle line director
* Unibody construction and stiff bodyshell provide maximum passenger
compartment protection in case of a collision
* Second generation dual front air bags and available side air bags
* Seatbelt pretensioners
* "LATCH" child safety seat anchors
* Passive electronic anti-theft system
The 2001 Ford Escape is engineered with active safety in mind to help
drivers avoid a collision. In the event of a collision, however, Escape
employs a comprehensive safety package, which begins with a body engineered,
energy-absorbing front structure featuring designed-in crumple zones.
Standard side intrusion high tensile steel door beams help protect passengers
in side impacts.
Extensive computer-aided engineering (CAE) techniques were used to sculpt
the body structure for enhanced passenger protection.
This effort resulted in two worldwide patents, one involving the front
bumper system and another for front body crush zone design.
An energy-absorbing steering column helps to absorb the impact of a crash.
Energy-absorbing knee bolsters -- located below the dash -- help reduce leg
injuries for front seat occupants.
Driver- and front-passenger air bags are standard. Dual side air bags,
mounted within the front seats, provide supplemental head and thorax restraint
during a side impact, are available.
Safety belt pretensioners, combined with energy management retractors, are
standard on front seat belts. Within milliseconds of a crash, pretensioners
-- special devices nestled in the front-seat safety belt buckles or retractors
-- tighten the front safety belts and help prevent belted occupants from
sliding and bouncing around during a crash.
If crash forces rise to severe levels, a metal bar tucked in the center of
the spool of the safety belt retractor -- called an energy management
retractor -- twists like a wrung-out washcloth. Such action releases small
amounts of safety belt webbing in a controlled manner and helps reduce the
risk of force-related injuries, especially to the occupant's chest.
All Ford Escapes sold in Canada, the United States and Mexico are equipped
with Ford's Belt-Minder(TM) system. It uses a sensor in the seat belt buckle
to determine whether the driver is buckled up. If the driver is unbelted when
the vehicle is in motion, an intermittent chime sounds and a red light
illuminates on the instrument panel for several minutes.
In addition, rear-seat-mounted "LATCH" (Acronym: Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children) child seat anchors and ceiling-mounted tether anchors
provide advanced protection for children. These devices -- not required by
U.S. safety standards until 2002 -- enable a properly designed child safety
seat to be clipped into position quickly and securely.
Integrated headrests are standard on the front seats. Rear seats have
separate two-way adjustable head restraints in the outboard positions.
The Ford SecuriLock(TM) engine immobilizer system is standard on all Ford
Escapes. The system uses a key containing an electronically encrypted
transponder that is written to and read through a transceiver unit attached to
the ignition key cylinder. Without the proper key, the vehicle cannot be
started.
The SecuriLock(TM) system is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module.
The PCM reads and decrypts the key code. If the incorrect key code is
detected, the PCM disables the fuel injectors and starter system. The
SecuriLock(TM) system includes self diagnostics and communication with service
testers.
An optional perimeter alarm is available, as is a remote keyless entry
system.
The perimeter is armed and unarmed when the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by remote control or key. Arming is confirmed by the flashers flashing once.
Disarming is confirmed by the flashers flashing twice.
When armed, the perimeter alarm is triggered if the hood, liftgate, glass
hatch or any door is opened, or when the ignition is turned on without the
correct key. The alarm activates the headlamps, flashers and horn for 2.5
minutes. A sounding alarm can be canceled by using the correct key or remote.