1997 FORD ESCORT tires

Make sure all replacement
tires are of the same type,
load-carrying capacity, and tread
design (e.g. ªAll Terrainº), as
originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
IDENTIFYING TIRE TYPES
Your vehicle requires the use of
the following tire types: wagon and
sedan 18565R14 tires and
T115/70D14 mini-spare. When
purchasing replacemment tires for
your vehicle, consult your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer or qualified
service technician to assure that
correct tire types are used.
USING SNOW TIRES AND
CHAINS
Snow tires must be the
same size and grade as the
tires currently on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all
weather treads to provide traction
in rain and snow. However, in some
climates using snow tires and
chains may be necessary. Follow
these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
²Use only SAE Class ªSº chains.
Maintenance and care
152

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

head restraints ..........................54
split-folding rear seat ...............54
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing ...124
servicing when you tow .........105
Special driving conditions ..........89
Specification chart, lubricants .180
Speed control ..............................27
Starting your vehicle ..................88
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................86
starting a cold engine ..............89
starting a warm engine ............89
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................29
Tail lamps
bulb replacement .............167,168
Tilt steering wheel ......................29
Tire types ..................................152
Tires ...........................................148
changing ..................................114
checking the pressure ............150
replacing ..................................151
rotating ....................................151
snow tires and chains ............152
tire grades ...............................148
treadwear ................................148
Trailer towing ............................102
safety chains ...........................104
tips ...........................................105
trailer brakes ...........................104
trailer lamps ............................104
Transaxle .....................................96
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................139
Turn signal
indicator lights ............................9
Upshift indicator light ...........8,100
Upshift speeds ..........................100
Vehicle dimensions ...................182
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................173Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................185
Ventilating your vehicle (see
Climate control) ................18,19,23
Warning chimes ...........................10
headlamps on ............................11
key in ignition ...........................11
safety belt .................................10
Washer fluid ..............................134
reservoir ..................................135
windshield .................................30
Windows
one-touch down ........................35
power windows, operating .......34
Windshield
washing ......................................30
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....134
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................146
liftgate reservoir .....................135
operation ...................................30
Wrecker towing .........................123
Index
190