1998 FORD ESCORT belt

additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight
remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Instrumentation
9

Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range.
Switch off the engine immediately.
Check the oil level and add oil if
needed. Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON and
the engine is off.
Check coolant
Illuminates when the coolant level
in the coolant reservoir is low and
more needs to be added. This lamp
will also illuminate when the
ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off. For more information
on adding engine coolant, refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Liftgate ajar (if equipped)
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and the liftgate is
open.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten
your safety belts.
CHECK
COOLANT
Instrumentation
11

For information on the safety belt
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and either front door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or
parking lamps are on, the ignition
is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and either front door is
opened.
Instrumentation
12

Always drive and ride with
your seatback upright and
the lap belt snug and low across
the hips.
Lift handle to move seat forward
or backward.
Pull lever up to adjust seatback.
Seating and safety restraints
48

SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Safety restraints precautions
Always drive and ride with
your seatback upright and
the lap belt snug and low across
the hips.
To prevent the risk of
injury, make sure children
sit where they can be properly
restrained.
Never let a passenger hold
a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
All occupants of the
vehicle, including the
driver, should always wear their
safety belts.
It is extremely dangerous
to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In
a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
allow people to ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety
belts. Be sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Seating and safety restraints
51

Each seating position in
your vehicle has a specific
safety belt assembly which is
made up of one buckle and one
tongue that are designed to be
used as a pair. 1) Use the
shoulder belt on the outside
shoulder only. Never wear the
shoulder belt under the arm. 2)
Never swing it around your neck
over the inside shoulder. 3)
Never use a single belt for more
than one person.
The ZX2 Coupe was
designed to accommodate
up to four people. Do not
attempt to carry more occupants.
All designed seating positions are
equipped with safety belts. All
occupants should be properly
restrained. Failure to follow this
warning could result in serious
personal injury or death.
Combination lap and shoulder
belts
1. To fasten, insert the tongue into
the slot in the buckle.
Seating and safety restraints
52

2. To unfasten, push the red
release button and remove the
tongue from the buckle.
The front and rear outboard safety
restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder
belts. The front and rear seat
passenger outboard safety belts
have two types of locking modes
described below:
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically pre-locked. The belt
will still retract to remove any
slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic
locking mode
²When a tight lap/shoulder fit is
desired.
²Anytimea child safety seat is
installed in the vehicle. Refer to
Safety Restraints for Children
orSafety Seats for Children
later in this chapter.
Seating and safety restraints
53

How to use the automatic
locking mode
²Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
²Grasp the shoulder portion and
pull downward until the entire
belt is extracted.
²Allow the belt to retract. As the
belt retracts, you will hear a
clicking sound. This indicates
the safety belt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
How to disengage the automatic
locking mode
Disconnect the combination
lap/shoulder belt and allow it to
retract completely to disengage the
automatic locking mode and
activate the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode.
Seating and safety restraints
54