1997 FORD ESCORT ECU

Installation of an English
thread nut on a metric
stud (or vice-versa) will not
properly secure the wheel to the
hub. Damaged studs may result
in wheel separation and possible
injury.
12. Lower the vehicle and tighten
the wheel lug nuts in the pattern
shown.
13. Unblock the wheels and put
the tire, jack, jack handle, and lug
wrench away.
Roadside emergencies
119

²Never get under a vehicle that is
supported only by a jack. If you
must work under a vehicle, use
safety stands.
²Keep all lit cigarettes and other
smoking materials away from
the battery and all fuel-related
parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and make
sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (automatic transaxle),
or first gear (manual transaxle).
2. Turn the engine off and remove
the key from the ignition.
P
R
N
D
D
L
R
N
D
D
LP
Maintenance and care
125

Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and make
sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (automatic transaxle),
or N (manual transaxle).
2. Do not work on a vehicle in an
enclosed space with the engine
running.
P
R
N
D
D
L
R
N
D
D
LP
Maintenance and care
127

3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
4. If work must be done with the
engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could
get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long
hair.
Opening the hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the
instrument panel.
2. Outside the vehicle, release the
auxiliary latch located under the
center of the hood.
3. Lift the hood and secure it in
the open position with the prop
rod.
4. To close the hood, remove the
prop rod and shut so that the
auxiliary latch is closed.
After closing the hood, try to lift it
to be sure that it is closed
securely.
5
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
Maintenance and care
128

Changing your air filter
1. Unlock the clamp that holds the
engine air cleaner assembly in
place by releasing the clamp
locking clip on the front portion of
the assembly.
²The clamp will spring open and
remain attached to the left side
of the assembly.
2. Swing the left side of the
assembly open.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the open end of the engine
air cleaner assembly and replace it
with a new element.
²When replacing the element, be
sure to align the nubs on both
the air cleaner element and the
open end of the air cleaner
assembly. If these nubs are not
aligned, the new element will
not fit properly within the
assembly and the assembly may
malfunction.
4. Swing the left side of the
assembly closed and secure the
locking clamp.
CHECKING AND CHANGING
YOUR WIPER BLADES
Check the windshield wiper blades
at least twice a year; also check
them whenever the wipers seem
less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and
some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes can reduce
the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Maintenance and care
146

²Install chains securely, verifying
that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines, or fuel lines.
²Install tire chains on front tires
only.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the
chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the
chains. If this does not work,
remove the chains to prevent
damage to your vehicle.
²When possible, avoid
overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when
they are no longer needed. Do
not use tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent
vehicle damage. Do not remove
these components from your
vehicle when using snow tires
and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUEL
Automotive fuels can
cause serious injury or
death if misused or mishandled.
Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all smoking material
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no
Maintenance and care
153

High-mount brakelamp (sedan)
The high-mount brakelamp is
located on the rear of your vehicle.
The brakelamp will be mounted
with two fastener clips and an
assembly cover on the package
tray.
1. Remove the push pins and cover
from the package tray.
2. Detach the socket from the
housing and remove the bulb.
3. Replace the bulb and ease the
socket back into the housing.
4. Replace the housing cover and
secure with the push pins.
Liftgate lamp (wagon)
The wagon liftgate lamp is located
on the rear of the vehicle. Follow
these steps to replace the liftgate
lamp bulb:
1. Open the liftgate.
Maintenance and care
164

2. To remove the liftgate lamp bulb
assembly cover mounted on the
liftgate's interior rear window:
²press in the inner portion of the
two mounting screws on either
side of the cover
²pull out the outer portion of the
mounting screws
3. Detach the socket from the
housing and remove the bulb.
4. Replace the bulb and ease the
socket back into the housing.
5. Replace the bulb assembly cover
and secure the mounting screws.
License plate lamps
To change the license plate lamp
bulbs:
1. Carefully remove screws and
pull the license plate lamp
assembly from the rear bumper.
2. Carefully pull the lamp lens
from the assembly.
3. Remove the bulb to be replaced
and install a new bulb.
4. Replace the lamp lens, the
assembly, and the screws.
Maintenance and care
165