1998 FORD ESCORT child restraint

Placing your child in the built-in
child seat
Failure to follow all of the
instructions on the use of
this child restraint system can
result in your child striking the
vehicle's interior during a sudden
stop or crash.
Never use the Built-In
Child Seat as a booster
cushion with the adult safety
belts. A child using the adult
belts could slide forward and out
from under the safety belts.
The rear seatback must be
fully locked before
operating the child restraint
system.
1. Grasp the child seat at the top
of the seatback and pull the top
forward to release the latch.
2. Continue to unfold the child
seat until it rests on the seat.
Seating and safety restraints
74

3. Read all information and
warnings on the child seat cushion
and shoulder safety belt. Make
sure the child is not too large for
the child seat.
4. If connected, squeeze the top
and the bottom of the right half of
the chest clip and pull to separate
both halves.
5. Place the child on the child seat
and position the shoulder belts
over each shoulder.
Seating and safety restraints
75

7. Fasten both halves of the chest
clip below the child's shoulders
and adjust it to comfortably hold
the shoulder belts in place on the
child's chest. The color green must
appear in the indicator window
when fastened.
8. Pull the shoulder belts toward
you to make sure the crotch safety
belt buckle is properly fastened
and the retractor is locked.
9. If the belts become too tight,
unbuckle the crotch safety belt
buckle to unlock the retractors,
then reinsert both belt tongues.
Seating and safety restraints
77

Removing your child from the
built-in child seat
1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and
the bottom of the chest clip and
pull the halves apart to open the
chest clip.
2. Press the release button on the
crotch safety belt buckle.
Seating and safety restraints
78

3. Slide the shoulder belts off the
child's shoulders and remove the
child.
To stow the built-in child seat
Return the child seat cushion to
the upright position, then press
firmly in the center and top of the
child seat.
Inspecting the built-in child seat
after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints,
including seats, buckles, retractors,
seat latches. Interlocks and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. If the child seat
was in use during a collision, Ford
recommends replacing it. Built-in
child restraints not in use during a
collision should be inspected and
replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
79

Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do
not bleach or dye the belts,
because these actions may weaken
the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system
periodically to make sure there are
no nicks, wear or cuts. If your
vehicle has been involved in an
accident, refer to theSafety belt
maintenancesection in the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Cleaning the built-in child seat
(if equipped)
Clean with mild soap and water.
Do not use household cleaning
products because they may
weaken the safety belt webbing or
damage the vinyl parts of the seat.
The child seat liner is removable
and may be machine-washed and
air dried.
Maintenance and care
179

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