1996 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

306
%*
[SV23800(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV23900(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
q
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures.
*
[SV24300(ALL)02/95]
q
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limitsin the Index).
*
[SV24500(ALL)02/95]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[SV24550(ALL)10/89]
q
Drive at safe speeds.
*
[SV24700(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[SV24800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Driving at very high speeds for extended
periods of time may result in damage to
vehicle components.
%*
[SV24925(ALL)05/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
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307
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[SV24975(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
%*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV25200(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
*
[SV25300(ALL)04/95]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
*
[SV25350(ALL)03/95]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. If you notice the
tires wearing unevenly, have them checked.
[SV25410(E )08/92]
one third page art:0070010-B
Rotating the tires
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308 %
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[SV25700(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
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[SV25900(ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
*
[SV26150(ALL)09/89]
quarter page art:0060006-A
A worn-out tire
*
[SV26175(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread. Some spots
wear more heavily than others.
*
[SV26200(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
[SV26250(E )02/94]
If you have the standard Escort 2-door
hatchback, the correct tire size for your vehicle is
P175/70R13. If you have the Escort GT, the
correct tire size for your vehicle is P185/60R15.
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309 [SV26280(E )08/93]
If you have an Escort LX 2-door hatchback, an
Escort 4-door hatchback, an Escort wagon, or an
Escort sedan, the correct tire size for your
vehicle is P175/65R14.
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[SV26400(ALL)01/95]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
%*
[SV26500(ALL)04/95]
Wheel and Tire Matching
*
[SV26550(ALL)03/95]
See an authorized tire dealer for proper
servicing procedures. Wheels and tires must be
properly removed, matched and remounted to
maintain the best possible ride.
%*
[SV27400(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV27500(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
*
[SV27550(ALL)01/95]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
*
[SV27600(ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
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310 %
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[SV27799(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV27800(ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
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[SV27999(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
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[SV28000(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
*
[SV28299(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
*
[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
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311
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The temperature
grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
%*
[SV28500(ALL)04/95]
Snow Tires and Chains
*
[SV28600(ALL)01/95]
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads
that provide traction in rain or snow. However,
during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
*
[SV28700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and
grade as the tires you currently have on
your vehicle.
*
[SV28810(ALL)02/95]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
*
[SV28820(ALL)11/94]
q
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the
use of tire chains. Investigate the laws and
regulations in your area before installing
chains.
*
[SV28830(ALL)08/93]
q
Tire chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TIRE
CHAINS ARE INSTALLED ON STEEL
WHEELS ONLY. Be sure to remove wheel
covers (if equipped) from steel rims before
using tire chains to avoid scratches or
damage.
*
[SV28850(E )06/93]
q
Do not use tire chains if you have the GT
model.
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312
*
[SV28900(ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure the chains are the right size for
your tires. Use only SAE Class ªSº chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle.
[SV29010(ALL)06/93]
q
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with
the ends held down securely. Retighten the
chains after driving 1/2 mile (0.8 km). Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[SV29020(ALL)05/95]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
*
[SV29030(ALL)11/94]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
*
[SV29040(ALL)11/94]
q
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
%*
[SV29100(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29120(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29140(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
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313
%*
[SV29210(ALL)03/95]
Battery
[SV29220(ALL)03/95]
If the original equipment maintenance-free
battery is replaced, it may be replaced by a
low-maintenance battery. SeeMotorcraft Partsat
the end of this chapter for the proper
replacement battery.
*
[SV29230(ALL)03/95]
The low-maintenance battery has removable vent
caps for checking the electrolyte level and
adding water. The electrolyte level should be
checked at least every 24 months or 24,000 miles
(40,000 km) in temperatures up to90ÊF (32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF
(32ÊC). Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up
to the level indicator. Do not overfill.
*
[SV29240(ALL)03/95]
If the level gets low, refill the battery with
distilled water. If necessary, you can add tap
water to the battery, provided the water is not
hard or does not have a high mineral or alkali
content. If the battery needs water quite often,
have the charging system checked for a possible
malfunction.
[SV29245(ALL)03/95]
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle
will drive properly. To find out how the engine
does this, seeStarting your vehicle's fuel-injected
enginein the Index.
[SV29250(ALL)02/94]
If the battery has been disconnected, you will
have to reset the clock and the preset stations on
your radio once the battery is reconnected.
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