1997 FORD ESCORT brake

ICONS
The following icons appear in this
Owner Guide:
indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation of warnings.
indicates that vehicle
information related to recycling
and other environmental concerns
will follow.
Warnings
Warnings remind you to be
especially careful in those areas
where carelessness can cause
damage to your vehicle or personal
injury to yourself, your passengers,
or others. Please read all warnings
carefully.
Breaking-in your vehicle
Your new vehicle goes through an
adjustment or breaking-in period
during the first 1,600 km (1,000
miles) of driving. During this
period:
²change your vehicle's speed
often as you drive. Do not drive
at one speed for a long time.
²use only the type of engine oil
Ford recommends. Do not use
special ªbreak-inº oils.
²avoid sudden stops. The
break-in period for brake linings
lasts for 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
of highway driving or 160 km
(100 miles) of city driving.
Introduction
2

INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS
Instrument cluster lights
Base cluster lights
Sport cluster lights
Base cluster lights
0000
000000
MPH
km/h
10 2030405060
70
80
90
10 0
12 011 020 4060
8010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140
200
CHECK
COOLANT
THEFT
FUEL FILLEF1/2CH
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONABSP!BRAKE
0000
000000
MPH
km/h
10 2030405060
70
80
90
10 0
12 011 020 4060
8010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140
200
FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
134
5
6
7
8RPM x 1000
CHECK
COOLANTSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
LOW
FUEL
THEFTABSPBRAKE
0000
000000
MPH
km/h
10 2030405060
70
80
90
10 0
12 011 020 4060
8010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140
200
FUEL FILLCHEF1/2
CHECK
COOLANTSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
LOW
FUEL
THEFTABS!PBRAKE
CH
Instrumentation
6

Sport cluster lights
Low fuel
Illuminates when the fuel tank is
almost empty (approximately 8
liters [2 gallons] remain). The
lights will also briefly illuminate
when the ignition key is turned to
ON and the engine is off.
Service engine soon
Illuminates when the engine's
emissions control system requires
service. The light will also
illuminate, and will remain
illuminated, when the ignition key
is turned to ON and the engine is
off.
Air bag readiness
Illuminates when the air bag
system requires servicing. The
light will also briefly illuminate
when the ignition key is turned to
ON.
0000
000000
MPH
km/h
10 2030405060
70
80
90
10 0
12 011 020 4060
8010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140
200
FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
134
5
6
7
8RPM x 1000
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
LOW
FUEL
THEFTABS!PBRAKECHECK
COOLANT
LOW
FUEL
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

Safety belt
The safety warning light/chime is a
reminder to fasten your safety belt.
One of the following will take
place:
²If the lap/shoulder belt is not
buckled before the key is turned
to the ON position, the
will
illuminate for approximately one
minute or until the safety belt is
buckled.
²If the lap/shoulder belt is
buckled while
is illuminated
and the chime is sounding, both
will turn off.
²If the lap/shoulder belt is
buckled before the key is turned
to the ON position, neither light
or chime will activate.
Upshift (if equipped)
Illuminates when it is best to shift
to the next highest manual
transaxle gear for the maximum
fuel economy.
Brake
Illuminates when the parking brake
is activated and the ignition is
keyed to ON or the brake fluid
level is low. In addition, with the
parking brake off, the light will
illuminate when the engine is
cranked.
!P
BRAKE
Instrumentation
8

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Illuminates when the ABS needs
service. The light will also briefly
illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to ON and the engine is off.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left hand or
right hand turn signal or the
hazard lamps are illuminated.
High beams
Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on.
Anti-theft (if equipped)
Illuminates when the anti-theft
system is arming and flashes when
the anti-theft system is armed.
Charging
Illuminates when there is a
problem with the alternator or
charging system and the electrical
system requires service. The light
will also briefly illuminate when
the ignition key is turned to ON
and the engine is off.
Oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
is low, not the low oil level.
However, if your engine's oil level
is low, it could affect the oil
pressure. Stop the vehicle and
check the oil level as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle if
the light remains on. The light will
also briefly illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to ON and
the engine is off.
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
9

ACC allows operation of some
accessories without starting the
engine.
ON allows testing of the vehicle's
warning lights.
START cranks the engine. The key
returns to the ON position after it
is released.
For more information on the
vehicle ignition and starting the
vehicle, refer toPreparing to start
the vehiclein theStarting
chapter.
Headlamp switch
Rotate the headlamp switch to the
desired position.
Headlamps on
Parking lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps,
license lamps, and tail lamps on
OFF Lamps off
Daytime running light (DRL)
system (if equipped)
The DRL system turns on the high
beam headlamps, with a reduced
light output, when:
²the vehicle is running
²the vehicle has a fully released
parking brake
²the headlamp system is in the
OFF position
OFF
Controls and features
26

Press the ON portion of the ON /
OFF button to turn on.
Press the OFF portion of the ON /
OFF button to turn off.
Press the RSM button to resume a
set speed.
Hold the SET ACC portion of the
SET ACC / CST button to set the
desired speed. Hold SET ACC to
increase speed; tap to increase
speed in 1.6 km/h (1 mph)
increments.
Hold the CST portion of the SET
ACC / CST button to decrease
speed; tap to decrease speed; tap
to decrease speed in 1.6 km/h (1
mph) increments.
Speed control can be canceled by
pressing the brake pedal or clutch
pedal (if equipped).
Do not shift into N (automatic
transaxle) or neutral (manual
transaxle) with the speed control
on.
Use only Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) or Canadian
Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) approved
radio transmitting equipment in
your vehicle to prevent speed
control malfunctions.020
OFF ON
2010 0
11 020 4016 0
18 0
RSM
SET
ACC
CST
SRS
Controls and features
28

Parking brake
For information on the parking
brake, refer toPreparing to start
the vehiclein theDriving
chapter.
Controls and features
38