1998 FORD ESCORT ECU

BUILT-IN CHILD SEATS
Built-in child safety seat
(if equipped)
The rear seat may include a
built-in child seat. This child seat
conforms to all Federal and local
motor vehicle safety standards.
Read the labels located on the
child seat cushion and shoulder
belt for information on the built-in
child seat.
Use the built-in child seatonlyif
the child is at least 9 months old,
weighs 9±27 kg (20±60 lb) and the
child's shoulders (top) are below
the shoulder harness slots in the
built-in child seat.
Children not meeting these
requirements should be secured in
an approved aftermarket seat.
Refer toChildren and infant or
child safety seatsin this chapter.
Built-in child seat retractors
The belts on built-in child seats
are equipped with a retractor that
locks when both tongues are
latched into the crotch safety belt
buckle. The retractor will
automatically snug the belts
around the child. If the belts do
not remain snug, take the vehicle
to the dealer for child seat repair.
The belts will not snug during a
collision.
Seating and safety restraints
73

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

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

L (Low)
Use L (Low) when added engine
braking is desired or when
descending steep hills.
The automatic transaxle will shift
into the proper gear to ascend any
grade without any need to shift to
L (Low).
Do not go faster than 61 km/h
(38 mph) when in this gear. You
can upshift from L (Low) to
(overdrive) at any time.
When parking, do not use
the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set
the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in Park (P).
Turn off the ignition whenever
you leave your vehicle. Never
leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not
take these precautions, your
vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms:
P
RN
D
DL
Driving
97

ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake,
P
RNDDL
Maintenance and care
125

ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
²Manual transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake,
P
RNDDL
Maintenance and care
127

3. Lift the hood and secure it with
the prop rod.
Maintenance and care
129

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (automatic transaxle)
or 1st (manual transaxle).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil indicator (dipstick).
²2.0L SOHC engine
ADDFULL
Maintenance and care
132