1999 FORD ESCORT light

CD and CD changer care
²Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
²Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended
periods of time.
²Do not insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer
magazine.
Cleaning cassette player (if equipped)
Clean the tape player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after ten to
twelve hours of play in order to maintain the best sound and operation.
Cassette and cassette player care
²Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
²Do not expose tapes to direct sunlight, high humidity, extreme heat or
extreme cold. Allow tapes that may have been exposed to extreme
temperatures to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
²Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
²Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
²Do not leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not
being played.
Radio frequency information
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio
and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) establish the frequencies AM
and FM stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies are:
AM 530, 540±1600, 1610 kHz
FM 87.9, 88.1±107.1, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulationº. Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
Controls and features
36

²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Heater only system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle. On
heater-only systems, the air cannot
be cooled below the outside
temperature.
OFF
HI
LO
HI
LO
Controls and features
37

the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate control system should be
left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº through the outside air inlet
duct. In snowy or dirty condition, leave the mode selector in the OFF
position.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Panel)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²
(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument
panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
Controls and features
40

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
Clears the rear window of thin ice and fog. To operate:
1. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
2. Press and release the control
once to turn on. The light will be lit
while the rear window defroster is
on.
3. Press and release the control
again to turn off.
The defroster will automatically turn off after fifteen minutes.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
gearshift lever (automatic transaxle
only) and allows key removal. On
vehicles with a manual transaxle
push the key in while turning to
lock.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position to turn on the parking
lamps. Rotate to the second position
to also turn on the headlamps.
R.DEF
LOCKACCONSTART0IIIIII4
3
2
1
OFF
Controls and features
42

Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
²the ignition must be in the ON position and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push forward to activate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
²Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
²Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
OFF
OFF
OFF
Controls and features
43

Arming the anti-theft system
Turn the ignition to OFF and press
the lock control on the remote entry
transmitter.
Identifying an armed system
While the system is arming, the THEFT light in the instrument cluster
will illuminate for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, THEFT will flash,
indicating the system is armed.
If the system is arming with the doors open, the THEFT light will stay
illuminated until all the doors are closed and then illuminate for 30
seconds and begin flashing.
When an unauthorized entry occurs, the activated system will:
²flash the parking lamps and the THEFT light
²sound the horn
The flashing parking lamps and the honking horn automatically shut off
after about three minutes and will remain off unless another
unauthorized entry is attempted.
Disarming the anti-theft system
Disarming an untriggered anti-theft system
Press the unlock control to disarm a
triggered or untriggered system.
Controls and features
59

Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle (the buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is coming
from). To lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits
snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm
(8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety
belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension
assemblies can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety 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.
Seating and safety restraints
69

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...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 and
warning chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if 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 inspect and if necessary 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 the
Maintenance and caresection.
Seating and safety restraints
70