1997 FORD ESCORT ABS

The ABS brake system conducts a
self-test each time the vehicle is
driven. A mechanical noise may be
heard while the system conducts
its self-test.
ABS warning light
TheABSlight in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated if an ABS fault is
detected. Have your vehicle
serviced by a qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
Normal braking operation is still
effective unless the
P!BRAKElight is
also illuminated.
Parking brake
The parking brake should be used
whenever the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be set to stop
the vehicle. The vehicle's stopping
distance will increase greatly and
vehicle steering response will be
limited.
When the ignition is turned to ON,
the
P!BRAKElight in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
Driving
94

Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
4 BTN 40 amp Passenger
compartment fuses 1,
2, 6, 12, 13, 7
5 (ABS) 60 amp Anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
6 Cooling fan 40 amp Cooling fan
7 Head Ð Head lamp relay
8 Not used Ð Ð
9 OBD II 10 amp On-board diagnostics
10 Fuel pump 20 amp Fuel pump
11 Head RH 20 amp Passenger side
headlamps
12 Head LH 20 amp Driver side headlamps
CHANGING THE TIRES
Temporary spare tire
information
The temporary spare tire for your
vehicle is labeled as such. It is
smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.
If you use the temporary
spare tire continuously or
do not follow these precautions,
the tire could fail, causing you to
lose control of the vehicle,
possibly injuring yourself or
others.
When driving with the temporary
spare tire,do not:
Roadside emergencies
114

symptoms are apparent. The
toxic effects of fuels may not be
evident for many hours.
²Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If
fuel is splashed on the skin,
promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin
thoroughly with soap and water.
²If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses, flush
eyes with water for fifteen
minutes, and seek immediate
medical attention.
²Be particularly careful if you are
taking Antabuse or other forms
of disulfiram for the treatment
of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact with fuel
could cause an adverse reaction.
Consult a physician immediately.
If you replace your fuel cap with
an aftermarket fuel filter cap, the
customer warranty may be void if
any damage to the fuel tank and/or
fuel system occurs.
Do not overfill the fuel
tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause
leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
If you do not use a proper
fuel cap, the pressure in
the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
Maintenance and care
154

Headlamps
To change the headlamp bulbs:
1. Be sure that the headlamp knob
is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood and find the
headlamp socket.
3. Remove the protective dust
shield housing by turning the
shield counterclockwise.
4. Remove the bulb retaining ring
by rotating it counterclockwise
(when viewed from the rear).
5. Disconnect the electrical
connector and remove the bulb by
pulling it straight out.
6. Replace the bulb by pushing a
new one straight in with the bulb's
plastic base facing upward. You
may need to turn the bulb slightly
to align the grooves in the plastic
base with the tabs in the bulb
socket.
7. Slip the bulb retaining ring over
the plastic base and lock the ring
by rotating it clockwise until it
snaps.
8. Reconnect electrical connector.
9. Replace the housing protective
dust shield and lock the shield by
rotating clockwise until it locks
into position.
Maintenance and care
162

2. Remove the bulb assembly form
the interior recess.
3. Twist the bulb counterclockwise
to remove it and secure a new
bulb.
4. Replace the bulb assembly in
the interior recess and replace the
access panel.
Interior overhead lamp
The interior overhead lamp is
located on the center of the ceiling
of the vehicle. To replace the
bulbs:
1. Remove the lamp lens by
applying pressure to both tabs at
the top of the lamp assembly and
pulling the lens down and off.
2. Pull the bulb to remove it and
secure a new bulb.
3. Replace the lamp lens by
applying pressure to both sides of
the lamp lens and popping the lens
up and on to the lamp assembly.
OFF DOOR ON
OFF DOOR ON
Maintenance and care
170

Aiming headlamps ....................173
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................62
description ...........................62,63
disposal ......................................63
driver air bag ............................64
indicator light ........................7,64
operation ...................................63
tone generator ..........................64
wearing safety belts .................64
Air cleaner filter .......................145
replacing ..................................146
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................19
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ...93
noise ..........................................93
see also Brake ...........................93
warning light .............................94
Anti-theft system ........................45
arming the system ....................50
description ................................50
disarming a triggered system ..52
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................51
warning light ...............................9
Automatic transaxle ...................96
driving with ...............................96
fluid, adding ............................141
fluid, checking ........................140
Battery .......................................142
servicing ..................................143
Brakes ..........................................93
anti-lock .....................................93
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...............................9
fluid, checking and adding ....133
power braking ...........................93
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................160
halogen ....................................161
headlamps ...............................162high-mount brakelamp ...........164
rear lamps ..........164,165,167,168
specifications ..........................172
Cargo area shade ........................41
Changing a tire .........................114
Charging system warning light ....9
Child safety seats
and air bags ............................185
Childproof locks ..........................33
Cleaning your vehicle ...............175
built-in child seat ...................178
engine compartment ..............177
exterior ....................................177
instrument panel ....................177
plastic parts ............................176
safety belts ..............................178
washing ....................................175
waxing .....................................175
wheels ......................................176
wiper blades ............................178
Climate control system ..............17
air conditioning .........................19
air distribution dial ...................19
temperature dial .......................18
Clutch
fluid ..........................................134
Controls ...................15,31,36,39,40
steering column ........................25
Daytime running light system ...26
Defects, reporting .....................186
Disabled vehicle (see Towing) 123
Driving under special
conditions
towing a trailer .......................105
Emergencies, roadside .............107
Emission control system ...157,158
Engine .................................129,182
check engine warning light .......7
Engine block heater ...................91
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............136
low coolant warning light ........10
Index
187

Lights, warning and indicator ......6
air bag .....................................7,64
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
checkcoolant .............................10
high beam ...................................9
liftgate ajar ................................10
low fuel ........................................7
oil pressure .................................9
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon ....................7
turn signal indicator ...................9
upshift indicator .........................8
Load limits .................................101
GVWR ......................................101
trailer towing ..........................102
Lubricant specifications ...........180
Luggage rack .............................106
Manual transaxle .........................99
driving .......................................99
fluid, checking and adding ....134
shifting gears ..........................100
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......16
Motorcraft parts ........................179
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration ...............186
Parking brake ..............................94
automatic release .....................38
operation ...................................94
warning light ...............................8
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) ...179
Power door locks ........................31
Power features
door locks ..................................31
windows ....................................34
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....139
Rear window
defroster ....................................24washer .......................................30
wiper ..........................................30
Refill capacities for fluids ........179
Relays ........................................109
Remote control ...........................45
Remote entry system .................45
illuminated entry ......................49
locking/unlocking doors ......46,47
opening the trunk .....................47
panic alarm ...............................49
Repairing paint chips ...............176
Reporting safety defects ..........186
Restraints, safety(see Safety
restraints) ....................................55
head ...........................................54
infant .........................................67
Roadside emergencies ..............107
Safety chains, when towing a
trailer .........................................104
Safety defects, reporting ..........186
Safety restraints ..........................55
adjusting the safety belts .........59
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................57
for children ...............................65
lap and shoulder belts ........56,59
maintenance ..............................60
proper use ............................55,56
vehicle sensitive locking
mode ..........................................57
warning light and chime ..8,10,62
Safety seats for children ............67
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................81
built-in child seat .....................74
in front seat ..............................68
in rear seat ................................70
tether anchorage hardware .....71
Seats ............................................53
adjusting the seat, manual .......53
child safety seats ......................67
folding rear seats ......................54
Index
189