1998 FORD ESCORT instrument panel

depress the clutch and place the
gearshift in N (Neutral).
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.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and release the auxiliary latch that
is located under the front center of
the hood.
1
24R35
Maintenance and care
128

Using the right bulbs
Function Trade Number
Front park/turn lamps 3457 NAK
Foglamps (if equipped) 881
Headlamps-aero high and low beam 9007
Rear license plate lamps 168
High-mount brake lamp 921
Backup lamps 3156K
Brake lamps 3157K
Interior overhead lamp 12V/10W
Warning lights 37
Instrument panel gauge 194
Map lamps
For bulb replacement, see a
qualified service technician or your
dealer.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device
(VHAD) on each headlamp. Each
headlamp may be properly aimed
in the vertical (up/down) and the
horizontal (left/right) directions
using your VHAD system. The
headlamps on your vehicle are
properly aimed at the assembly
plant, and vertical and horizontal
indicators of the VHAD system are
calibrated.
A bubble (vertical indicator) that
is not centered between the two
red lines does not necessarily
indicate out-of-aim headlamps. If
your vehicle is not positioned on a
level surface, the slope will be
L
R
UP
DN
Maintenance and care
172

Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel,
chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe
properly, clean the windshield and
wiper blades with undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene,
paint thinner or other solvents.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry
with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel.
The dull finish in this area helps
protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.
Maintenance and care
178

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration Regulations
require that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the front door latch
pillar on the driver's side.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number
is attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight
numbers of the vehicle
identification number) is stamped
on the engine block, transmission,
frame and transfer case (if so
equipped).
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
186

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

High beams
indicator light ...........................10
Hood
release lever ............................128
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........26
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................17
Jump-starting your
vehicle .................................118,120
attaching cables ......................119
disconnecting cables ..............120
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Lamps
dome lamps ........................36,171
fog lamps .................................167
headlamps ...............................165
high-mount brakelamp ...........167
interior lamps ....................36,171
map lamps ..........................36,172
tail lamps .................................169
License plate lamps ..................171
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............10
anti-theft ...................................10
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
check coolant ............................11
liftgate ajar ................................11
low fuel ........................................7
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon .................7,8
turn signal indicator .................10
Lubricant specifications ...........181
Luggage rack .............................103
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......17
Moon roof ....................................35Odometer .....................................15
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................42
Parking brake ..............................89
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....180
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....142
Rear window
wiper ..........................................35
Refill capacities for fluids ........180
Relays .................................106,113
Remote entry system .................39
illuminated entry ......................44
locking/unlocking doors ......40,41
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................43
replacing the batteries .............42
Reporting safety defects ..........187
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................53,54
extension assembly ..................56
for children ...............................63
for second row bench
seats ............................73,74,78,79
lap and shoulder belts .............52
maintenance ..............................57
proper use .................................51
warning light and chime .....11,57
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....70
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................67
tether anchorage
hardware ..............................70,71
Seats ............................................47
adjusting the seat, manual .......47
folding rear seats ......................50
head restraints ..........................47
Servicing your vehicle ..............123
precautions when servicing ...123
Index
189

Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity 48.5L (12.8 gallons)
Engine oil Use Motorcraft 5W30 Super
Premium Motor Oil, Ford
Specification WSS-M2C153-G
Tire size and pressure Refer to Tire Pressure Decal on
passenger's door panel
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Oil capacity (with filter change) Sedan/wagon-3.8L (4.0 quarts)
ZX2-4.25L (4.5 quarts)
Coolant capacity Automatic transaxle-6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
Manual transaxle-5.0L (5.3 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir
Automatic transmission capacity 3.9L (4.1 quarts)
Manual transmission capacity 3.35L (3.55 quarts)
Filling station information
192