1998 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, pull the handle up.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency.
Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's
stopping distance will be adversely
affected.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
89

Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic
transaxle) or in 1 (First)
(manual transaxle).
Push the control on the end of the
parking brake and push the handle
down to release the brake. Driving
with the parking brake on will
cause the brakes to wear out
quickly and reduce fuel economy.
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Manual transaxle (if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transaxle have a starter interrupt
interlock that prevents cranking of
the engine unless the clutch pedal
is depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transaxle, you must:
1. Put the gearshift in the neutral
position.
1
24R35
Driving
90

2. Hold down the brake pedal.
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Turn the ignition key to 4
(START), then let the engine idle
for a few seconds.
5. Release the brake pedal, then
slowly release the clutch pedal
while pressing down slowly on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the clutch pedal and do not use
the clutch pedal to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while waiting
on a hill. These actions will
seriously reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following
charts for best fuel economy:
Coupe
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
1-2 21 km/h (13 mph)
2-3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3-4 53 km/h (33 mph)
4-5 70 km/h (44 mph)
LOCKACCONSTART0IIIIII4
3
2
1
Driving
91

Sedan/Wagon
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2-3 32 km/h (20 mph)
3-4 46 km/h (29 mph)
4-5 61 km/h (38 mph)
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into
the neutral position.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
1
24R35
1
24R35
Driving
92

4. Turn engine off and remove the
key.
Do not park your vehicle
in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and
set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a
complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may
damage the transaxle.
Put the gearshift into the neutral
position and wait at least three
seconds before shifting into R
(Reverse).
You can shift into R (Reverse) only
by moving the gearshift from left
of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears
before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is a special lockout feature
which prevents you from shifting
LOCKACCONSTART0IIIIII4
3
2
1
1
24R35
Driving
93

into R (Reverse) when you
downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
P
RNDDL
Driving
94

R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
You should always come to a
complete stop before shifting in
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in the N
(Neutral) position, the vehicle can
be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
P
RND
DL
P
RND
DL
Driving
95

(Overdrive)
The overdrive position is the
normal driving position for an
automatic overdrive transaxle. It
works the same way as D (Drive)
but shifts to a fourth gear-an
overdrive gear-when your vehicle
cruises at a constant speed for any
length of time. This fourth gear
will increase your fuel economy
when you travel at cruising speeds
Overdrive may not be appropriate
for certain terrains. If the transaxle
shifts back and forth between third
and fourth gears while you are
driving hilly roads or if your
vehicle requires additional power
for climbing hills, shift into D
(Drive).
D (Drive)
D (Drive) eliminates the needless
shifting between third and fourth
gears that your vehicle may do
when driving in hilly terrain. It also
gives more engine braking than
overdrive to slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
P
RND
DL
P
RND
DL
Driving
96