1997 FORD ESCORT engine

Upshifting
For normal acceleration:
Upshift from... At the following speed:
1 to 2 22 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3 to 4 58 km/h (36 mph)
4 to 5 72 km/h (45 mph)
For cruising:
Upshift from... At the following speed:
1 to 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 to 3 35 km/h (22 mph)
3 to 4 51 km/h (32 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Upshift light (if equipped)
Thelight in the instrument
cluster illuminates to indicate
when to shift for the best fuel
economy. The vehicle will not be
harmed if the transaxle is not
shifted when the light illuminates,
but the vehicle will use more fuel.
The
light can be ignored when
you are:
²downshifting
²driving on steep hills
²using the engine to brake the
vehicle
²seeking more power for a
difficult acceleration
To maximize gearshift
performance:
Driving
100

specification terms found on the
label, refer toLoading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded trailer when figuring the
total weight.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limits of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transaxle/axle damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system (if
equipped ) if you are planning on:
²traveling farther than 80 km (50
miles).
²towing in hilly terrain.
²towing frequently.
Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
Driving
103

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

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

Engine compartment fuse panel
Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
1 Fuel injection 30 amp Fuel injection system,
air bags
2 Defog. 30 amp Rear window
defroster
3 Main 100 amp Overall circuit
protection
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY BTAA
1
789
10
11 12 23456
Roadside emergencies
113

system; a 24-volt power supply
will cause vehicle damage
²park the vehicles close to each
other, but do not allow the two
vehicles to touch.
²check to make sure neither
battery is disconnected
²remove any excessive corrosion
from the battery terminals
²turn on the heater fan in each
vehicle to prevent damage from
voltage surges
To jump start the vehicle:
1. Connect the jumper cables in
numerical order.
V1Disabled battery positive
terminal
V2Booster battery positive
terminal
V3Booster battery negative
terminal
V4Disabled vehicle engine
Do not connect the end of
the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark
may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.
2. Start the engine in the vehicle
with the booster battery.
3. Wait a few minutes and start the
engine in the vehicle with the
disabled battery.
+ –
4
2
3
1
+ –
ON
II
ACC
I
LOCK
0
START
III
Roadside emergencies
121

4. Disconnect the jumper cables in
numerical order:
V1Engine
V2Booster battery negative
terminal
V3Booster battery positive
terminal
V4Previously disabled battery
positive terminal
Let the vehicle idle for a few
minutes to allow the engine to
relearn the proper idle conditions.
Avoid using unneccessary electrical
accessories for a short while to let
the battery recharge. A battery
charger may be necessary to fully
recharge the battery.
+ –
1
3
2
4
+ –
Roadside emergencies
122