1996 FORD ESCORT check oil

128 [LG10450(ALL)02/94]
one inch art:0070205-AThe anti-lock brake system light
%*
[LG20000(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[LG20025(ALL)06/95]
This light indicates low oil pressure,not low oil
level. However, if your engine's oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. This light comes
on every time your ignition key is turned to ON
or START. The light should turn off after a few
seconds. If the light stays on when the engine is
running, you have lost oil pressure and
continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
[LG20050(ALL)03/93]
one inch art:0000839-A
The engine oil pressure light
*
[LG20100(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG20125(ALL)11/94]
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do
not stop the engine as soon as safely
possible, severe engine damage could result.
*
[LG20150(ALL)11/94]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil in this Owner Guide. (SeeEngine oilin
the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
To ensure an accurate reading, your vehicle
should be on level ground.
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

244
*
[RE00710(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE00900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid damage or injury, follow these
directions in the order they are given. If
in doubt, call for road service.
*
[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[RE01100(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01300(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[RE01600(ALL)02/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:12ctree.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:55:16 1995

295 %
*
[SV13710(ALL)03/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[SV13750(ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
%*
[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[SV14050(ALL)05/94]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1 (First)
(manual transaxle).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[SV14300(ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

296 [SV14400(ALL)06/93]
one inch art:0000970-AEngine oil dipstick (1.9L engine)
[SV14450(ALL)06/94]
one inch art:0070030-B
Engine oil dipstick (1.8L engine)
[SV14500(ALL)07/93]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªAdd 1 qt.º or ªLº
line, add engine oil as necessary. If the
engine oil is beyond the letter ªFº or the
ªFULLº line, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must
be removed from the engine.
*
[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
%*
[SV14700(ALL)03/95]
Adding engine oil
*
[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

297 [SV17200(ALL)06/95]
10-1/2 pica art:0060618-C
*
[SV17275(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17280(ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17350(ALL)09/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[SV17360(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
[SV17450(ALL)09/95]
Check the engine coolant level in the engine
coolant recovery reservoir at least once a month.
The coolant should be between the Full Hot and
Full Cold marks on the reservoir. To locate the
reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine compartmentin this chapter.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

317 %
*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[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.
*
[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
File:15ctsve.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:37:50 1995

376 Index
Emergencies, roadside
assistance............... 259
battery acid spills........... 243
fuel................. 291
jump-starting............. 243
towing................ 257
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 235
Emission control system
catalytic converter........... 340
emissions warranty......... 4,340
Engine
check engine warning light...... 124
does not start...........111, 113
fuel injected engine, starting...... 108
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 113
preparing to start........... 108
refill capacities............ 345
service points............. 284
starting................ 105
starting after a collision........ 113
storing your vehicle.......... 350
Engine block heater........... 112
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 297
checking hoses............ 301
disposal...........280, 300, 317
preparing for storage......... 351
recovery reservoir........... 297
refill capacities............ 345
specifications............. 348
temperature gauge.......... 130
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description.............. 130
Engine fan............... 280
Engine oil
checking and adding......... 295
dipstick............... 295
disposal...........280, 300, 317
engine oil pressure warning light.... 128
filter, specifications.......... 347
File:ctixe.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:00:54 1995

380 Index
J
Jack
operation............... 251
positioning.............. 251
storage................ 250
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables............ 243
disconnecting cables.......... 248
K
Keys
positions of the ignition........ 105
removing from the ignition...... 107
stuck in lock position.......105, 107
L
Lamps
checking............... 333
daytime running light system..... 152
dome lamps............. 154
hazard flashers............ 162
headlamps.............. 151
instrument panel, dimming...... 153
interior lamps............. 153
replacing bulbs............ 333
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal) . . 159
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag................ 123
anti-lock brakes (ABS)......... 127
charging system............ 121
check engine............. 124
engine oil pressure.......... 128
hazard warning light......... 162
high beam.............. 122
turn signal indicator........127, 159
Load limits
GAWR................ 240
GVWR................ 240
trailer towing............. 241
File:ctixe.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:00:54 1995