1997 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

Driving while towing a trailer
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
very long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transaxle:
²use D or L rather than
Dwhile towing up or down
steep hills.
²anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
If driving with a manual transaxle:
²select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.
²avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. In first or
second gear the trailer may be
too big or too heavily loaded for
the vehicle drivetrain.
²shift to a lower gear while
towing up or down steep hills.
²anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle requires
more frequent service than a
vehicle not used for towing. Refer
to theService Guidefor more
information.
Driving
105

Towing behind a recreational
vehicle (RV)
Do not tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as an RV,
unless front wheel dollies are used.
Luggage rack (if equipped)
Load luggage as far back as it will
safely go on the rack without
causing the vehicle to exceed the
gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) or gross axle weight
rating (GAWR).
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
²driving with the brake pedal
depressed
²sudden stops
²extended engine idling
²use of speed control in hilly
terrain
²extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear
window defroster and other
accessories
²underinflated tires
²heavy loads
²aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
Driving
106

USING THE HAZARD SWITCH
Use the hazard flashers to warn
traffic of vehicle problems:
²Slide the hazard switch to the
right to activate the hazard
flashers.
²Slide the hazard switch to the
left to deactivate the
continuously blinking flashers.
RESETTING THE FUEL PUMP
SHUT-OFF SWITCH
The fuel pump shut-off switch
stops the fuel pump when the
vehicle has been involved in a
collision or major jolt. If the
vehicle does not start, it is possible
that the fuel pump shut-off switch
needs to be reset.
If you see or smell fuel, do
not reset the switch or try
to start your vehicle. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department
or a towing service.
To reset the fuel pump, press the
button on the switch. The switch is
located immediately below the hole
in the trunk side trim.
Roadside emergencies
107

²Sedan
²Wagon
Roadside emergencies
108

FUSES AND RELAYS
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse
may have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire. Check
the appropriate fuses before
replacing any electrical
components.
Use the fuse puller tool provided
on the passenger compartment
fuse panel cover to replace fuses.
Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse
with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage
and could start a fire.
15 15
HI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/C
TUNE
DISCS

SEEK
TUNE
SCAN
EJ REW FF
BAL BASSTREBFADE TAPE
CD AM
FM
–+1
SIDE 1-22
345
COMP1
SIDE 1-2VOL–
PUSH ON
LMIRRORR
0000000002030405060
70
80
90
10 0
11 020 40608010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
13RPM x 1000
RESET
SET
ACC
SET XXXX XXXOFF2INT
1 OFF MIST
Roadside emergencies
109

Even after a fuse is replaced, it
will continue to blow if the cause
of the overload is not identified
and corrected. If a fuse continues
to blow, have the vehicle's
electrical system checked.
The (POWER WIND) 30A on the
instrument panel fuse panel cover
represents a circuit breaker that
contols the vehicle's power
windows. The circuit breaker is
located just above the fuse panel
cover. To reset a circuit breaker,
press the reset button.
The (HEATER) 30A circuit
breaker controls the vehicle's
heater. The circuit breaker is
located just above and to the left
of the instrument panel fuse panel.
To reset a circuit breaker, press
the reset button.
HI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/C
TUNE
DISCS

SEEK
TUNE
SCAN
EJ REW FF
BAL BASSTREBFADE TAPE
CD AM
FM
–+1
SIDE 1-22
345
COMP1
SIDE 1-2VOL–
PUSH ON
LMIRRORR
0000000002030405060
70
80
90
10 0
11 020 40608010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
13RPM x 1000
RESET
SET
ACC
SET XXXX XXXOFF2INT
1 OFF MIST
HEATER
30A
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY
(POWER WIND)30A
1234 5
678916 17
18 19
20 21
10
11 12 13 14 15
Roadside emergencies
110

Fuse rating Color
10 amp Red
15 amp Blue
20 amp Yellow
30 amp Light Green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp Green
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Blue
Instrument panel fuse panel
Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
1 Stop 15 amp Brakelamps, shift lock
2 Tail 15 amp Instrument cluster
illumination, license
plate lamp, parking
lamps, side marker
lamps, tail lamps,
(radio, climate control
illumination)
3 Sun roof Ð Not used
4 ASC 10 amp Speed control
5 Ð Ð Not used
6 (Door lock) 30 amp Power door locks
7 Horn 15 amp Horn
8 (Air Conditioning) 15 amp A/C, clutch
Roadside emergencies
111

Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
9 Meter 10 amp Backup lamps, shift
lock, gauges, speed
control, turn signals,
key-in-ignition
reminder chime
10 Wiper 20 amp Windshield wipers
and washer
11 (Rear wiper) 10 amp Rear wiper and
washer
12 Hazard 15 amp Hazard flashers, turn
signals
13 Room 10 amp Clock, interior lamp,
luggage compartment
lamp, safety belt
warning chime, radio
power
14 Engine 15 amp Engine control system
15 Mirrors 5 amp Power mirrors
16 Ð Ð Not used
17 Ð Ð Not used
18 (Fog) 10 amp Daytime running
lamps / fog lamps
19 Ð Ð Not used
20 Cigar 20 amp Cigar lighter
21 (Radio) 15 amp Radio (Premium
sound)
Roadside emergencies
112