2000 FORD ESCORT check engine light

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the ªService Engine Soonº light, charging system warning
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system
is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
Maintenance and care
162

engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Foglamps (if equipped)
²High-mount brakelamp
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
²Hazard flashers
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamps are turned OFF.
2. Open the hood and disconnect the headlamp wiring socket from the
in-line connector. This will make it easier to change the bulb.
3. Remove the protective dust shield
from the housing by turning the
dust shield counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling rearward.
Maintenance and care
163

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................72
and child safety seats ..............74
description ................................72
disposal ......................................76
driver air bag ............................74
indicator light ......................10,76
operation ...................................74
passenger air bag .....................74
Air cleaner filter ................148,175
Air conditioning ..........................36
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................137
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ...........................89,90
Anti-theft system ...................57,58
arming the system ....................58
disarming
a triggered system ...............58,59
disarming an
untriggered system ...................58
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........18
Automatic transaxle ...................92
driving with ...............................94
fluid, adding ............................143
fluid, checking ........................143
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
fluid, specification ..................177
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........176
Battery .......................................146
acid, treating emergencies .....146
charging
system warning light ................11
jumping a disabled battery ....119
maintenance-free ....................146
replacement, specifications ...175
servicing ..................................146
Belt minder .................................68
Brakes ..........................................89
anti-lock ................................89,90anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................11,90
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....135
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
fluid, specifications ..........176,177
lubricant specifications ...176,177
parking ......................................90
shift interlock ............................92
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....175
Certification Label ....................180
Child safety restraints ................77
child safety belts ......................77
Child safety seats ........................78
attaching with tether straps ....82
in front seat ..............................79
in rear seat ................................79
Cleaning your vehicle ...............170
engine compartment ..............172
exterior .............................171,172
exterior lamps .........................172
instrument panel ....................173
instrument panel lens ............173
interior ..............................173,174
mirrors .....................................172
plastic parts ............................171
safety belts ..............................174
washing ....................................170
waxing .....................................171
wheels ......................................171
windows ..................................174
wiper blades ............................172
woodtone trim ........................174
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clock .......................................24,32
Clutch
fluid ..........................................136
operation while driving ............97
recommended shift speeds ......99
Index
194

Coolant
checking and adding ..............137
refill capacities .................141,175
specifications ...................176,177
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................43
Customer Assistance ................105
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................189
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................182
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............188
Getting roadside assistance ...105
Getting the
service you need ....................182
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................192
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................185
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............188
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................41
Defrost
rear window ..............................40
Dipstick
automati
c transmission fluid ................143
engine oil .................................132
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........176
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................104
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................119
Emission control system ..........161
Engine .................................177,178
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................172coolant .....................................137
idle speed control ...................146
lubrication
specifications ...................176,177
refill capacities ........................175
service points ...................130,131
starting after a collision .........106
Engine block heater ...................87
Engine oil ..................................132
checking and adding ..............132
dipstick ....................................132
filter, specifications .........134,175
recommendations ...................134
refill capacities ........................175
specifications ...................176,177
Exhaust fumes ............................88
Floor mats ...................................52
Fluid capacities .........................175
Foglamps .....................................42
Fuel ............................................153
calculating fuel economy .......158
cap ...........................................155
capacity ...................................175
choosing the right fuel ...........156
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................161
detergent in fuel .....................157
filling your
vehicle with fuel .......153,155,158
filter, specifications .........158,175
fuel pump shut-off switch .....106
gauge .........................................13
improving fuel economy ........158
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating .............156,177,178
quality ......................................157
running out of fuel .................157
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................153
Fuses ...................................108,110
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............155
Index
195

Manual transaxle .........................97
fluid capacities ........................175
lubricant specifications ..........177
reverse .......................................99
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................172
side view mirrors (power) .......17
Moon roof ....................................49
Motorcraft parts .................158,175
Octane rating ............................156
Odometer .....................................14
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................132
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................55
Parking brake ..............................90
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....175
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................113
Power door locks ........................50
Power steering ............................91
fluid, checking and adding ....142
fluid, refill capacity ................175
fluid, specifications ..........176,177
Radio ............................................18
Relays .................................108,115
Remote entry system ............53,55
illuminated entry ......................57
locking/unlocking doors ...........54
opening the trunk .....................55
panic alarm ...............................55
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................56
replacing the batteries .............55
Roof rack ...................................104
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................12,63,64,65,66
Safety defects, reporting ..........193
Safety restraints ...........63,64,65,66
belt minder ...............................68
cleaning the safety belts ...71,174
extension assembly ..................67
for adults .........................64,65,66for children ..........................76,77
lap belt ......................................66
warning light
and chime ...................10,12,67,68
Safety seats for children ............78
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............63
Seats ............................................60
child safety seats ......................78
cleaning ............................173,174
Servicing your vehicle ..............125
Spark plugs,
specifications ...............175,177,178
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................176,177
Speed control ..............................43
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle .............84,87
jump starting ..........................119
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................47
Tachometer .................................15
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................36
Tires ......................115,149,150,151
changing ...........................115,116
checking the pressure ............151
replacing ..................................152
rotating ....................................151
snow tires and chains ............152
tire grades ...............................150
treadwear ................................150
Towing .......................................151
wrecker ....................................124
Transaxle
automatic operation .................92
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
lubricant specifications ..........177
manual operation ......................97
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................143
Index
197