1998 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

4. Replace the housing cover and
secure with the push pins.
Tail lamps/Backup lamps
The tail lamp assemblies and the
backup bulb assemblies are located
in the same portion of the vehicle
rear, one just below the other.
Follow the same steps to replace
either bulb.
Coupe
Sedan
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169

Wagon
1. Open trunk to expose the tail
lamp assembly. Remove the two
screws from the front of the lamp.
2. The tail lamp has hidden
fasteners which can be disengaged
by hitting the lamp, with the side
of your hand, toward the side of
the vehicle.
3. Remove the socket that contains
the burned-out bulb by rotating it
counterclockwise, then pulling it
out of the lamp assembly.
4. Pull the burned-out bulb from
the socket and install the new
bulb.
5. Push the socket into the lamp,
then secure it by rotating it
clockwise.
6. Position the tail lamp on the
vehicle and gently tap the lens to
engage the clips. Install the
screws.
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170

License plate lamps
To change the license plate bulbs:
1. Carefully remove screws and
pull the license plate lamp
assembly from the rear bumper.
2. Carefully pull the lamp lens
from the assembly.
3. Remove the bulb to be replaced
and install a new bulb.
4. Replace the lamp lens, assembly
and screws.
INTERIOR BULBS
Dome lamp
1. Remove the lamp lens by
applying pressure to both tabs at
the top of the lamp and pulling
lens downward.
2. Pull out the burned-out bulb
and install a new one.
3. Install the lamp lens by applying
pressure to both sides of the lamp
lens and popping the lamp lens up
on the assembly.
OFF DOOR ON
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171

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
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172

included in the vertical indication.
Therefore, vertical and horizontal
headlamp adjustment should be
performed only when the beam
direction appears to be incorrect.
You will need one 4 mm wrench or
socket with ratchet to make the
adjustments.
The following procedure assumes
that the factory set horizontal
indicator reference has not
changed and the vehicle's front
structure is in its factory alignment
condition. If the vehicle has been
in an accident requiring the front
end of the vehicle to be repaired,
the horizontal indicator should be
recalibrated by the servicing
facility according to instructions in
the vehicle's Service Manual.
Horizontal aim adjustment
1. With the hood open, locate the
horizontal indicator and adjusting
screw. They are located below the
viewing window at the rear of the
headlamp assembly.
2. The ªLº and ªRº under the
viewing window on the top of the
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173

headlamp refer to the directional
change (left or right) of the
horizontal aim.
3.Usea4mmwrench or socket to
turn the horizontal adjusting screw
until the forward edge of the
knurled portion of the screw is
aligned with the ª0º reference
mark (as shown) on the plastic
slider when viewed directly from
above.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. With the hood open, locate the
bubble level and vertical
adjustment screw. The adjustment
screw is located on the outboard
side of the headlamp below the
headlamp upper attachment.
3. The ªUPº and ªDNº on the
bubble indicate the directional
change (up or down) of the
vertical aim.
4.Usea4mmwrench or socket to
turn the vertical adjusting screw
clockwise or counterclockwise until
the bubble is centered.
L
R
UP
DN
L
R
DNUP
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174

Repeat the above process to the
other headlamp, if necessary.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance
Guideº for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove and also cause
damage to the vehicle. Remove any
exterior accessories, such as
antennas, before entering a car
wash.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on
the surface. This could be every
three or four months, depending
on operating conditions.
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175

Use only carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes. Remove
any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road debris may be repaired
with touch-up, paint repair foil or
aerosol paint spray from the Ford
accessory line. Observe the
application instructions on the
products.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as
the body of your vehicle. Do not
use acid-based wheel cleaners,
steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives
that will damage the finish of
special wheel surfaces. Use a tar
remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When
washing:
²Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
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176