1998 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight
remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Instrumentation
9

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
10

Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range.
Switch off the engine immediately.
Check the oil level and add oil if
needed. Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON and
the engine is off.
Check coolant
Illuminates when the coolant level
in the coolant reservoir is low and
more needs to be added. This lamp
will also illuminate when the
ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off. For more information
on adding engine coolant, refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Liftgate ajar (if equipped)
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and the liftgate is
open.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten
your safety belts.
CHECK
COOLANT
Instrumentation
11

For information on the safety belt
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and either front door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or
parking lamps are on, the ignition
is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and either front door is
opened.
Instrumentation
12

GAUGES
Base instrument cluster gauges
Sport instrument cluster gauges
ZX2 coupe instrument cluster
gauges
!THEFTCHECK
COOLANT SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONPBRAKEABS+ –MPH
205060
70FUEL FILL
EF
CH1
2 /304080
90
100
110
120 10
20406080100
120
140
160
180200km/h
0
000000
00 0
!THEFTCHECK
COOLANT SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONPBRAKEABS+ –MPH
205060
70FUEL FILL
EF1
2 /304080
90
100
110
120 10
20406080100
120
140
160
180200km/h
0
000000
00 0
CHRPMx1000
1234
5
6
7
8
LOW
FUEL
THEFT
LOW
FUEL
CHECK
COOLANTSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
ABS+ –MPH
205060 70FUEL
FILLEF
CH1
2 /RPMx1000
1234
5
6
7
8
304080
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180km/h
0
000000
000! PBRAKE
Instrumentation
13

Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The
fuel gauge may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The
ignition should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being
refueled. When the gauge first
indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank.
When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area
(the area between the ªHº and
ªCº). If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle, switch off the ignition and
let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the
temperature of the engine coolant,
not the coolant level. If the coolant
is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will
not be accurate.
FUEL
FILL
EF
1
2 /
CH
Instrumentation
14

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle
speed.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
2030405060 70
80
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180MPHkm/h
0
000000
000
2030405060 70
80
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180MPHkm/h0
000000
000
0000
2030405060 70
80
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180MPHkm/h
000000
Instrumentation
15

Tachometer (if equipped)
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer in the red zone may
damage the engine.
THEFT
RPMx1000
1234
5
6
7
8
Instrumentation
16