Need help and advice. I just replaced my water pump and thermostat while I had the rads out of the front of the escape for service. My question, how can you fill the rad up with new coolant when the ICE won't kick in on start up? I am accustom to filling the reservoir/overflow tanks on non Hybrids vehicles, starting the vehicles and letting them run ,warm up while I add coolant to the reservoir tank when the level drops until full. With the Ford Escape Hybrid, the ICE won't come on long enough to get warm and cycle the coolant through the rad and empty the bottle. Is there maintenance mode on the Escape that will disable the electric motor and let the ice run on its own to enable me to flush the coolant and ensure no air in the lines ?

 

(Since this just popped in a google search, I'll answer for anyone that might stumble across this later)

Put the shifter into neutral and step on the accelerator pedal, the engine should start and remain running as long as the shifter is left in neutral. I think this might be for throttle trimming after PCM reset/battery disconnect, etc but it's handy keeping the engine on for a variety of reasons