1997 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

The side marker lamp assemblies
are accessible through the interior
of the vehicle. The right assembly
(when facing the front of the
vehicle) is behind the same
interior panel as the liftgate
washer fluid; the left assembly is
located behind a similar-looking
interior panel directly opposite the
right panel. Both access panels are
directly below the rear side
windows.
To replace the backup lamp bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate and lean inside
the vehicle. Access the backup
bulb assemblies by carefully pulling
open the interior panel.
Maintenance and care
169

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

The interior overhead lamp is
equipped with a battery saver
control system designed to prevent
excessive wear on the battery.
When a door is not closed
properly, the battery saver control
system timer is activated. The
timer will give you between eight
and ten minutes to close the door
before it automatically turns off
the interior overhead lamp. If the
door is left open, closed, and then
left open again, the timer will
automatically reset.
The battery saver control system is
not activated when the headlamps
are left on. A warning chime will
sound when the engine is turned
off to draw your attention to
headlamps left on.
Map lamp
The map lamps are located in the
rear portion of the interior
overhead lamp assembly.
Replacement of the two bulbs
requires removal of the bulb
assembly cover and the use of
several different tools. See a
qualified service technician or your
dealer for replacement of the map
lamp bulbs.
Hazard flasher
For more information on the
hazard flasher and hazard switch,
refer toUsing the hazard switch
in theRoadside emergencies
chapter. For bulb replacement, see
your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
Maintenance and care
171

BULB SPECIFICATIONS
Function Number of
bulbsTrade number
Exterior illumination
Front park/turn lamps 2 3457
Foglamps (if equipped) 2 881
Headlamps Ð aero high and low
beam2 9007
Rear license plate lamp 2 168
High-mount brakelamp 1 921
Notchback Ð Backup lamp 2 3156
Notchback Ð Brakelamp 2 3157
Notchback Ð Rear/turn/side
marker2 3157
Liftgate wagon rear side marker
lamp2
(1 each side)168
Interior illumination
Cargo lamp liftgate (wagon) 1 12V/5W
Interior overhead lamp 2 12V/10W
Luggage compartment lamp (if
equipped)15W
PRNDL illumination 1 197
Heater control nomenclature 1 14V/3.0
High beam indicator 1 W
Instrument panel gauge (cluster) 4 194
Sport cluster w/ tachometer 2 194
Turn signal indicator 1 194
Upshift indicator (if equipped) (1 each) 194
Warning lights Ð all 194
Maintenance and care
172

Function Number of
bulbsTrade number
Anti-theft LED 1 LED See your dealer
to order
replacement
assembly,
service part
#F57Z13B765-A
Aiming the headlamps
Your vehicle is equipped with a
variable headlamp aiming device
(VHAD) on each headlamp
reflector extension and headlamp
housing. Each headlamp may be
properly aimed in the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction
by performing the following steps.
The horizontal aim must be
adjusted first. This procedure
requires the use ofa4mmbox
wrench or open end wrench.
Position the vehicle on a surface
that is level in the front-to-rear
direction.
If the vehicle cannot be placed on
a true level surface, the headlamps
still can be adjusted using the
VHAD if the slope of the surface is
accurately known and does not
differ by more than 30.5 mm (1.2
in) from true level.
Maintenance and care
173

Adjusting the horizontal aim
1. With the hood open, locate the
horizontal indicator and adjusting
screw.
2.Usea4mmwrench to turn the
horizontal adjusting screw until the
reference mark on the reflector
extension aligns with the ``O''
reference mark on the horizontal
indicator when viewed directly
from above.
3. When the horizontal aim has
been adjusted, close the headlamp
access panel.
Adjusting the vertical aim
1. Do not adjust the vertical aim
until after adjusting the horizontal
aim.
2. With the hood open, locate the
bubble level vertical aim indicator.
It is visible when viewed from
above the rear of the headlamp.
3. With the vehicle on a level
surface, usea4mmwrench to
turn the vertical aim adjustment
screw (outboard screw) located on
the back of the lamp assembly
clockwise or counterclockwise until
the bubble in the spirit level is
centered when viewed from
directly above the bubble.
4. Close the hood.
If the vehicle is on a downward or
upward slope of not more than
1.2É, the VHAD's bubble level can
be used to correct for the effects
of the surface slope, provided that
the slope is accurately known.
Maintenance and care
174

Each graduation of the bubble
level represents 0.19É of downward
or upward slope. To correct for the
effects of surface slope, turn the
vertical aim adjustment screw until
the bubble is centered at a
position corresponding to the slope
of the surface.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
Contact your dealer for more
information on recommended
cleaners and their availability in
your area.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car shampoo. Always use a
clean sponge and plenty of water
for best results. We recommend
that you have the underbody of
your vehicle washed at the end of
the winter to remove deposits left
by snow, salt, and water.
Wax the body paintwork of your
vehicle several times a year. This
will help to retain the glossy
paintwork finish and water
droplets will run off more easily.
Remove any after dealer
accessories, such as
antennae, before entering a
commercial car wash.
Maintenance and care
175

After washing your vehicle, apply
the brakes several times to dry
them.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road chippings may be
camouflaged with Ford exterior
lacquer touch-up paint,
AL81-XXXX-B or
ALBZ-19500-XXXXA. XXXX
indicates the code, meeting Ford
specification ESR-M2P100-C.
Follow the application instructions
on the product. Be sure to remove
aggressive particles such as bird
droppings, tree resins, insect
remains, tar spots, and road salt,
that may damage your paint.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent used to clean the body
of your vehicle. Do not use acid
based wool cleaners, steel wool,
fuel, or strong detergents. Never
use abrasives that will damage the
finish of special wheel surfaces.
Use a tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
Cleaning plastic parts
Some of the vehicle's trim parts
are plastic. Clean with a tar and
road oil remover if necessary. Use
a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with
thinners, solvents, or petroleum
based cleaners.
Maintenance and care
176