1996 FORD ESCORT instrument panel

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[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information............................... 1
Safety Restraints.............................................. 9
Starting Your Escort.................................... 105
Warning Lights and Gauges..................... 117
Instrument Panel Controls........................ 135
Steering Column Controls........................ 159
Features.......................................................... 169
Electronic Sound Systems......................... 197
Driving Your Escort.................................... 223
Roadside Emergencies................................ 243
Customer Assistance................................... 259
Reporting Safety Defects...................... 266
Accessories.................................................... 271
Servicing Your Escort................................. 279
Quick Index.................................................. 353
Index................................................................ 371
Service Station Information...................... 388
File:01ctpie.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:32:49 1995

26 [SR07700(ALL)04/90]Shoulder Belt Emergency Release Buttons
[SR07800(ALL)02/94]
If the shoulder belt locks up in a collision, it
may stay locked. To unlock the belt, press the
emergency release button on the shoulder belt
buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from
the buckle. If the shoulder belt is unlatched and
partially retracted, a warning light in the
instrument panel lights up and remains on; the
warning chime sounds for about five (5) seconds.
[SR07900(ALL)02/95]
To insert the tongue back into the shoulder belt
buckle, push it in until you hear a click.
[SR07950(ALL)03/93]
If the belt does not lie flat against you, or the
belt has a twist in it at the retractor, unlatch the
belt at the buckle, remove twist, and relatch the
belt into the buckle.
[SR08000(ALL)10/89]
half page art:0000807-A
The emergency release button for the shoulder belt
[SR08100(ALL)04/93]
After a collision, refer toSafety Belt Maintenance
in this section.
File:03ctsre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:05:35 1995

52
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[SR13005(ALL)07/95]
In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is
closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could push the top of the
rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or
center armrests (if so equipped), or center
console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING
INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE
SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child
safety seats and infant seats should be secured in
the rear seat whenever possible.
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[SR13006(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
%*
[SR13007(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
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[SR13008(ALL)08/95]
The force of the rapidly inflating passenger air
bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat
against the vehicle seatback, armrests or console.
Rear-facing infant seats must always be secured
in the rear seat.
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Update:Tue Sep 19 15:05:35 1995

53
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[SR13009(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
%*
[SR13010(ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
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[SR13020(ALL)09/95]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of the Driver and Passenger air bags,
impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a
readiness light and tone, and the electrical
wiring which connects the components. The
diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness, including crash sensors, the
system wiring, the air bag readiness light, air
bag backup power, and the supplemental air bag
ignitors.
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[SR13030(ALL)08/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is
located in the center section of the instrument
panel ledge above the glove compartment. Both
air bags are designed to stay out of sight until
they are activated.
File:03ctsre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:05:35 1995

60 %
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[SR15650(ALL)01/95]
Safety Seats for Children
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[SR15700(ALL)05/95]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the
size and weight of the child. Always follow the
safety seat manufacturer's instructions when
installing and using the safety seat.
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[SR15710(ALL)08/95]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat
having a top tether strap. Install the child safety
seat in a seating position which is capable of
providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching
Safety Seats With Tether Strapsin this chapter.
[SR15720(ALL)08/95]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to
use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle.
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[SR15735(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
%*
[SR15740(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
File:03ctsre.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 15:05:35 1995

109
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[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[ST08500(ALL)08/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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[ST08700(ALL)02/92]
3.If you have an automatic transaxle, make
sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
[ST08750(ALL)03/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle, your
vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature.
It prevents you from moving the gearshift
lever out of the P (Park) position unless the
ignition is in the ON position and your foot
is on the brake. To move the gearshift lever,
you must also depress the thumb button.
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[ST08800(ALL)07/93]
If you have a manual transaxle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully set, push the
clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key.(Remember, the starter will operate
only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the
way to the floor.)
[ST09000(ALL)06/95]
4. Before you start your vehicle, you should
check the warning lights on the instrument
panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
%*
[ST09400(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
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[ST09500(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
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[ST09600(ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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[ST09650(ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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[ST09720(ALL)06/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
File:04ctste.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:42:54 1995

127 %
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[LG10355(ALL)05/95]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
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[LG10360(ALL)05/95]
When you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
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[LG10365(ALL)05/95]
When you push the turn signal lever down
before making a left turn, the left side arrow on
the instrument panel flashes.
[LG10370(ALL)08/93]
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically
after you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal
continues to flash after you have made the turn,
pull the lever back to OFF.
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[LG10390(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
(If equipped)
[LG10400(ALL)03/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) feature. If it does, check the
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) light each time
you start the engine. If it stays on longer than
six seconds, shut off the engine and restart. If it
stays on, that means the Anti-lock Brake feature
isn't working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the
anti-lock brake feature. Normal braking is not
affected unless the brake warning light is also lit.
[LG10410(ALL)07/93]
The Anti-lock Brake System has self-check
capabilities. As described above, the system
turns on the anti-lock light each time you start
your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs
another test the first time the vehicle reaches
7 mph (11 km/h). The system turns on the ABS
pump motor for approximately 1/2 second. At
this time, a mechanical noise may be heard. This
is a normal part of the self-check feature. If a
malfunction is found during this check the
anti-lock light will come on.
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

135
Instrument Panel Controls
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[IP00350(ALL)01/95]
The instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different sections.
The illustrations on the following pages show
the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown
may not be on all vehicles.
[IP00400(ALL)03/95]
The main controls for the climate control system,
lamps, clock, and radio are on the instrument
panel.
File:06ctipe.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:46:28 1995