1998 FORD ESCORT engine

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

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
gearshift lever (automatic
transaxle only) and allows key
removal. On vehicles with a
manual transaxle push the key in
while turning to lock.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the
electrical accessories such as the
radio to operate while the engine
is not running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights
illuminated. Key position when
driving.
4. START, cranks the engine.
Release the key as soon as the
engine starts.
HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control
clockwise to the first position to
turn on the parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second position to
also turn on the headlamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL)
(if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on
with a reduced output. To activate:
²the engine must be running
²the gearshift must not be in P
(Park)
²the headlamp control is in the
OFF or Parking lamps position.
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3
2
1
OFF
Controls and features
26

PREPARING TO START YOUR
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Starting
80

Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
Starting
81

²Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
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2
1
!
THEFT
LOW
FUEL
CHECK
COOLANTSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
PBRAKEABS+ –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
00 0
Starting
83

²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the light (
) will not
illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 4 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return
to 3 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR if the
temperature is below -12ÉC (10ÉF),
depress the accelerator and start
the engine while holding the
accelerator down. Release the
accelerator when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
-23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below.
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Starting
84

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

Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
86