1998 FORD ESCORT maintenance

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 17
Seating and safety restraints 47
Starting and driving
Starting 80
Driving 87
Roadside emergencies 104
Servicing
Maintenance and care 123
Capacities and specifications 180
Reporting safety defects 187
Index 188
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Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
Elemental Chlorine Free
Contents
1

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
10

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

Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The
fuel gauge may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The
ignition should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being
refueled. When the gauge first
indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank.
When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area
(the area between the ªHº and
ªCº). If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle, switch off the ignition and
let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the
temperature of the engine coolant,
not the coolant level. If the coolant
is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will
not be accurate.
FUEL
FILL
EF
1
2 /
CH
Instrumentation
14

belt extension only if the safety
belt is too short for you when fully
extended. Do not use extensions
to change the fit of the shoulder
belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and
indicator chime
The seat belt warning light
illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes and
the warning chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light turns off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light remains
off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wears or cuts. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if
Seating and safety restraints
57

equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is
noted.
Failure to replace the
safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result
in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and
maintaining the safety beltsin
theMaintenance and care
section.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
Seating and safety restraints
58

If the air bag is inflated,
the air bag will not
function again and must be
replaced immediately.Ifthe
air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing
sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which
connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system warning (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag back up power and the
air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
Seating and safety restraints
62

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal
and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the
vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or
intermittent squeal or groan noises
when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the
first few brake applications in the
morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking
and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt
or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º
ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is
present while braking, the brake
linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified
service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an
anti-lock braking system (ABS), a
noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal
may be observed during ABS
braking events. Pedal pulsation
coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose
gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads
is normal and indicates proper
functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the
Driving
87