1998 FORD ESCORT check engine

For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
longer than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded
electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions
to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation systems checked
whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Starting
85

²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
LUGGAGE RACK
(IF EQUIPPED)
Load luggage as far back as it will
safely go on the rack without
causing the vehicle to exceed the
gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) or gross axle weight
rating (GAWR).
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
²extended idle
Driving
103

HAZARD FLASHER
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The
hazard flashers can be operated
when the ignition is off.
²Slide the hazard flasher control
to the right to activate the
hazard flashers simultaneously.
²Slide the control to the left to
turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch
is a device intended to stop the
electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
seconds and return the key to the
OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks
in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
104

2. Do not disconnect the battery of
the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle's electrical
system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to
the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure theydo nottouch.
Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and
remove any excessive corrosion
before you attach the battery
cables.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both
vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories
off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Position the vehicles so that
they do not touch one another.
2. Switch off the engine. Switch off
any unnecessary electrical
equipment.
3. Connect the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery
(1) to the positive (+) terminal of
the booster battery (2).
4. Connect one end of the second
lead to the negative (-) terminal of
the booster battery (3) and the
other end to a metal part of the
engine to be started (4), not to the
negative (-) terminal of the
discharged battery.
+–
+–
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3
2
Roadside emergencies
119

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº
which makes tracking routine
service easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
ªWarranty Guideº to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²When the engine is running,
avoid wearing loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair that could
get caught up in moving parts.
Maintenance and care
123

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

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the F in
FULL mark on the dipstick.
Engine oil recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is
WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified
for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by your
warranty.
Maintenance and care
134

CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
The clutch master cylinder and
brake master cylinder are part of
the same system; both are
refillable through the brake master
cylinder with brake fluid. During
normal operation, the fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir will rise
slowly. For more information on
brake fluid maintenance, refer to
Brake fluidin this chapter.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer
fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
Maintenance and care
137