1998 FORD ESCORT battery

2.0L DOHC Zetec engine
1. Transmission fluid dipstick
(automatic transaxle only)
2. Battery
3. Air filter assembly
4. Engine oil fill cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
9. Brake fluid reservoir
98712
3
4
65
Maintenance and care
131

6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be between the notches on
the dipstick.
7. If necessary, add fluid in .25L
(1/2 pint) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct.
8. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
Checking and adding manual
transmission fluid
The lubricant level and quality
should not deteriorate under
normal conditions. However, you
should have the fluid checked
occasionally. If lubricant is
required, refer toLubricant
specificationsin this section.
BATTERY
Your vehicle may be equipped with
a Motorcraft maintenance-free
battery. If the original equipment
battery needs replacing, it may be
replaced with a low-maintenance
battery. The low-maintenance
battery normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service. However, for severe usage
or in high temperature climates,
check your battery electrolyte
level, at least every 24 months or
40,000 km (24,000 miles). Keep
the electrolyte in each cell up to
the ªlevelº indicator. Do not overfill
the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the
battery is low, you can add plain
Maintenance and care
145

tap water to the battery, as long as
you do not use hard water (water
with a high alkali content). If
possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled
water. If the battery needs water
often, have the charging system
checked.
For longer, trouble-free operation,
keep the top of the battery clean
and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the
battery or terminals, remove the
cables from the terminal(s) and
clean with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution
of baking soda and water. Reinstall
the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of
each battery terminal to help
prevent corrosion.
If your battery has a
cover/shield, make sure it is
reinstalled after the battery is
replaced.
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the engine must relearn
its idle conditions before your
vehicle will drive properly. To
begin this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park)
(automatic transaxles) or the
Maintenance and care
146

neutral position (manual
transaxles), turn off all accessories
and start the vehicle.
2. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
3. The relearning process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to
relearn its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually relearned.
²If the battery has been
disconnected or a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
the preset radio stations must
be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible
manner. Follow your
communities standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
Maintenance and care
147

Please consult your ªWarranty
Guideº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªcheck
engine/service engine soonº light is
on, reference the applicable light
description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the
ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system
or its battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is
reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the OBD-II
system for I/M testing, a minimum
of 30 minutes of city and highway
driving is necessary as described
below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving
in stop and go, city type traffic
with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its
normal operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
162

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.0L SOHC engine 2.0L DOHC Zetec
engine
Air filter FA-1643 FA-1643
Fuel filter FG-862 FG-862
Battery BX-58C BXT-58
Oil filter FL-400-A FL-2005
PCV Valve EV-229 EV-224
Spark plugs* AGSF-34EE** AZFS-22FE***
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for
spark plug gap information.
**Replacement double platinum spark plug9EE9will replace9E9and
9EG9and9P9will replace9P9and9PG9suffixed plugs. Refer to the
Engine Data chart for spark plug gap specifications.
*** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in
the same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1 and 2 have a ªFEº suffix. Cylinders
No. 3 and 4 have a F suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use
only spark plugs with the same service part number suffix letter ªFEº
as shown on the engine decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Ford High
Performance
DOT 3 Brake
FluidAll Fill to line in
reservoir
Engine coolant Ford Premium
Cooling System
FluidAutomatic
transaxles6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
Manual
transaxles5.0L
(5.3 quarts)
Capacities and specifications
180

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................58
and child safety seats ..............60
description ................................59
disposal ......................................63
indicator light ...........................62
passenger air bag .....................61
Air cleaner filter .......................148
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............21,24
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................88
Anti-theft system ........................44
arming the system ....................44
disarming a triggered system ..46
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................45
Battery .......................................145
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............136
Brakes ..........................................87
anti-lock .....................................87
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................88
fluid, checking and adding ....136
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................163
specifications ..........................172
Cargo cover .................................39
Changing a tire .........................113
Child safety seats ........................66
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............175
built-in child seat ...................179
engine compartment ..............176
fabric ........................................178
instrument panel ....................178
plastic parts ............................177
safety belts ..............................179
tail lamps .................................178washing ....................................175
waxing .....................................175
wheels ......................................176
Clutch
fluid ..........................................137
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Emission control system ..........160
Engine
service points ...................130,131
Engine block heater ...................84
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......138,139
disposal ....................................141
refill capacities ........................141
Engine oil ...........................132,134
changing oil and oil filter .......135
checking and adding .......132,134
Exhaust fumes ............................85
Floor mats ...................................38
Foglamps .....................................28
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......159
improving fuel economy ........103
octane rating ...........................157
quality ......................................158
running out of fuel .................158
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................155
Fuel gauge ...................................14
Fuel pump shut-off switch ..39,104
Fuses ..............106,107,108,110,112
Gauges, Mechanical ....................13
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
Hazard flashers .........................104
Headlamps ...................................26
daytime running lights .............26
flashing ......................................27
high beam .................................27
Heating ........................................18
Index
188