1996 FORD ESCORT brakes

236
*
[DR18400(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[DR18475(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[DR18600(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR18700(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
*
[DR18800(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
*
[DR19000(ALL)06/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
File:10ctdre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:53:34 1995

237
%*
[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR19200(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR19300(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
[DR19500(ALL)02/95]
q
Extreme acceleration can cause the front
wheels to spin, perhaps resulting in reduced
steering control.
[DR19550(ALL)01/95]
q
If you do not have anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can cause wheels to lock and slide,
making it difficult to control the direction of
the vehicle. Use the ºsqueezeª technique by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing force. This allows the wheels to
brake yet continue to roll so that you may
steer in the direction you want to travel. If
you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the squeeze technique.
*
[DR19700(ALL)02/95]
q
If you abruptly release the accelerator or
brake hard while going too fast around a
severe curve, your vehicle may change
direction. Avoid application of the brakes, if
possible. If braking is necessary, it should be
done by using the ºsqueezeª technique
described above.
File:10ctdre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:53:34 1995

238 %
*
[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR19800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
*
[DR20000(ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[DR20200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[DR20400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR20500(ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads,
do not downshift into 1 (First) with the
automatic transaxle when moving faster
than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not downshift
into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle
when moving faster than 10 mph
(16 km/h).
File:10ctdre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:53:34 1995

239
*
[DR20750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
*
[DR20800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your
vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or
snow), you may try to ºrockª it out of the spot.
Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and
reverse gears. While in each gear, press lightly
on the accelerator and release.
*
[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
File:10ctdre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:53:34 1995

318
*
[SV30460(ALL)07/95]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
[SV30475(ALL)07/93]
one third page art:0070173-A
Brake fluid master cylinder reservoir
%*
[SV30500(ALL)02/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the filler cap from the reservoir. Fill the
reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA
or DOT 3 equivalent fluid meeting Ford
specification ESA-M6C25-A.
*
[SV30800(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
*
[SV30900(ALL)01/95]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
[SV30950(ALL)06/93]
NOTE: Avoid spilling brake fluid on painted
surfaces.
*
[SV31000(ALL)01/95]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
Ð below the seam or ridge on the outside of the
plastic reservoir Ð have the brake system
inspected.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

319
*
[SV31100(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
%*
[SV31200(ALL)02/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV31300(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV31400(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[SV31500(ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV31600(ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV31700(ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
[SV31850(ALL)02/94]
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. The
fluid level should be in between the F (Full)
and L (Low) markings on the reservoir.
[SV32100(ALL)02/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level until you reach the F (Full) range. Do
not overfill. To find out how much fluid
your vehicle's reservoir for the power
steering fluid will hold, seeRefill capacitiesin
the Index.
[SV32150(ALL)03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the reservoir cap
back on and make sure that it fits snugly.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

352 %
*
[SV45700(ALL)01/95]
Battery
*
[SV45800(ALL)01/95]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[SV45900(ALL)01/95]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
%*
[SV46000(ALL)01/95]
Brakes
*
[SV46100(ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
%*
[SV46200(ALL)01/95]
Tires
*
[SV46300(ALL)05/95]
q
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[SV46400(ALL)01/95]
Miscellaneous
*
[SV46500(ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
clevis pins under vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust.
*
[SV46600(ALL)03/95]
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

372 Index
Automatic transaxle
driving with............. 223
fluid, adding............. 315
fluid, checking............ 315
fluid, refill capacities......... 345
fluid, specification........... 348
B
Backing up............... 229
Basic vehicle warranty........... 4
Battery................. 313
acid, treating emergencies....... 243
charging system warning light..... 121
disconnecting............. 248
how to service............ 313
jumping a disabled battery....... 243
maintenance-free........... 313
proper disposal, recycling....... 314
replacement, specifications....... 347
servicing............... 313
when storing your vehicle....... 352
Brake fluid
checking and adding......... 317
description.............. 317
specifications...........318, 348
Brakes
anti-lock............... 233
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light............ 127
applying the brakes.......... 232
fluid, checking and adding....... 317
fluid, specifications.......... 348
new brake linings............ 5
noise................. 233
parking............... 235
servicing............... 317
stopping distances........... 238
when storing your vehicle....... 352
Break-in period.............. 5
Brights (high beams)........... 160
File:ctixe.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:00:54 1995