1996 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

314 %
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[SV29255(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
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[SV29260(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
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[SV29265(ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
[SV29280(ALL)03/95]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or
install a new battery, you must allow the
computer to relearn its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic
transaxle) or Neutral (manual transaxle), turn off
all the accessories, and start the vehicle. Let the
engine idle for at least one minute. The
relearning process will complete automatically as
you drive the vehicle.
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[SV29285(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.
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315
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[SV29300(ALL)05/95]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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[SV29310(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle
is not working properly Ð for instance, the
transaxle may slip or shift slowly, or you may
notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid
level should be checked.
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[SV29335(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds, driven
in city traffic during hot weather, or
has been pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow the fluid to cool
before checking.
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[SV29340(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
[SV29345(ALL)03/95]
It is preferable to check the transaxle fluid level
at normal operating temperature after
approximately 20 miles (32 km) of driving.
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[SV29350(ALL)02/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
pedal fully applied, start the engine and move
the gearshift selector through all of the gears.
Allow sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gearshift selector in the P
(Park) position. Fully set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
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[SV29370(ALL)01/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick
out. Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
[SV29392(ALL)12/89]
When checking fluid at the normal operating
temperature, the fluid level should be within the
normal operating temperature marks on the
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316dipstick. When the vehicle has not been driven,
and outside temperatures are above68ÊF (20ÊC),
the fluid levels should be between the room
temperature marks on the dipstick.
[SV29394(ALL)08/93]
one third page art:0070122-B
Automatic transaxle fluid dipstick
[SV29396(ALL)12/89]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven if
the outside temperature is above68ÊF
(20ÊC) and thefluid level is below the
Low mark on the room temperature
scale.
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[SV29400(ALL)01/95]
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
[SV29410(ALL)12/89]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used.
[SV29420(ALL)01/95]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25 L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct
area on the dipstick. If an overfill occurs, excess
fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
[SV29422(ALL)06/93]
When you are finished adding fluid, be sure to
put the dipstick back and ensure that it fits
snugly.
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317 %
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[SV29425(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV29800(ALL)01/89]
Manual Transaxle Fluid
[SV29900(ALL)01/92]
The lubricant level and quality should not
deteriorate under normal driving conditions.
However, you should have the fluid level
checked occasionally. If lubricant is required, see
Lubricant specificationsin the Index.
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[SV30200(ALL)02/95]
Brake Fluid
[SV30250(ALL)02/94]
If you have a manual transaxle, the brake fluid
reservoir in your vehicle includes the clutch
fluid reservoir.
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[SV30300(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake pads wear.
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[SV30400(ALL)06/93]
You should check the brake fluid at every
scheduled engine oil change, but be sure to
check it at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir
on the master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin
this chapter to locate the master cylinder.) The
fluid level should be at or near the MAX mark.
[SV30425(ALL)03/95]
If the brake fluid level is low, the brake warning
light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
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[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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318
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[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
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[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.
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[SV30800(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
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[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.
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[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.
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319
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[SV31100(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
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[SV31200(ALL)02/95]
Power Steering Fluid
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[SV31300(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
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[SV31400(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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320 [SV32200(ALL)03/95]Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Motorcraft
Type ªFº Automatic Transmission and Power
Steering Fluid.
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[SV32700(ALL)01/95]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
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[SV33000(ALL)04/95]
Fuses, Fuse Links and Circuit
Breakers
[SV33025(ALL)07/93]
Fuses, fuse links and circuit breakers protect
your vehicle electrical system from overloading.
If electrical parts in your vehicle are not
working, the system may have been overloaded
and blown a fuse, fuse link or tripped a circuit
breaker. Before you replace or repair any
electrical parts, check the appropriate circuit
protector.
[SV33050(ALL)07/93]
The following charts tell you which circuit
protector protects each electrical part of your
vehicle. If a fuse or fuse link blows, or a circuit
breaker opens a circuit, none of the parts of
your vehicle that use the circuit will work. For
example, if the RADIO fuse is blown, the radio
and remote control mirrors will not work. If the
radio works, but the electric mirrors don't work,
something is wrong with the mirrors.
[SV33100(ALL)06/93]
NOTE: Fuse links should only be repaired by
your dealer.
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321
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[SV33500(ALL)07/95]
Fuses
[SV33550(ALL)08/95]
If electrical parts in your vehicle are not
working, the system may have been overloaded
and blown a fuse. If a fuse blows, all the parts
of your vehicle that use the fuse will not work.
[SV33555(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle has two fuse panels. The interior
fuse panel is below the instrument panel in front
of the driver's door. The main panel is under
the hood behind the battery.
[SV33569(ALL)06/93]
The instrument panel fuse panel
[SV33570(ALL)08/95]
half page art:0000830-A
Fuse panel under instrument panel
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