1998 FORD ESCORT tow

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle
towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance
center. It is recommended that
your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift or flatbed equipment.
When calling for a tow truck, tell
the operator what kind of vehicle
you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual
for proper hook-up and towing
procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
121

TOWING BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE
Do not tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as an RV,
unless front wheel dollies are used.
Your vehicle cannot be flat towed
with all wheels on the ground.
Roadside emergencies
122

Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following mileage
and time requirements, whichever
occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule -
5,000 km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
Maintenance and care
135

make replacing the wipers easy,
turn the ignition to ACC, then turn
the wipers on. When the wipers
reach the vertical position, turn
the ignition to LOCK.
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from
the windshield and lock into the
service position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
with a screwdriver to release the
blade and pull the wiper blade
down toward the windshield to
remove it from the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE
QUALITY GRADES
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by
standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has
set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
Maintenance and care
149

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.
Maintenance and care
170

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

Sliding moon roof (see
Moonroof) ....................................35
Speed control ..............................28
canceling a set speed ...............32
resuming a set speed ...............33
tap up/tap down ..................30,31
turning off .................................29
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your vehicle ........80,81,84
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................16
Tilt steering wheel ......................33
Tires ....................................149,152
checking the pressure ............152
replacing ..................................153
rotating ....................................152
snow tires and chains ............154
treadwear ................................150
Trailer towing ............................100
tips ....................................102,122
Transaxle .....................................90
automatic operation ..94,95,96,97
manual operation .......90,91,92,93
Transmission .............................143
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................143,145Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................41
Turn signal
lever ...........................................27
Vehicle dimensions ...................183
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................172
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................186
Vehicle loading ............................97
Ventilating your vehicle .............86
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......37
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....137
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................148
operation ...................................34
Wrecker towing .........................121
Index
190