2000 FORD ESCORT fuel cap

If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do
not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as ªRegularº that are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
156

Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the
appropriate intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of usable fuel remaining in the
fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of empty reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to
the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow three automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
Maintenance and care
158

MOTOCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.0L SOHC I4
engine2.0L DOHC Zetec
engine
Air filter element FA-1643 FA-1643
Fuel filter FG-862 FG-862
Battery BXT-58 BXT-58
Oil filter FL-400±S FL-2005
PCV valve EV-244 EV-224
Spark plugs* AGSF-34EE** AZFS-32FE**
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder.If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the same service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine coolant
1Premium Engine
CoolantAutomatic
transaxles6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
Manual
transaxles5.0L
(5.3 quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilZX2 4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
Sedan 3.8L
(4.0 quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All 48.5L
(12.8 gallons)
Capacities and specifications
175

ItemFord Part
Name or
EquivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Manual transaxle Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C153-G
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity jointsCV Joint Grease
(High Temp.)E43Z-19590-A ESP-M1C207-A
Engine coolant
1Ford Premium
Engine CoolantE2FZ-19549-AA
(in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-8-B)ESE-M97B44-A
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA,
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange in color) Refer to
Adding engine coolant,in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.0L SOHC I4
engine2.0L DOHC Zetec
engine
Cubic inches 121 121
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)1.22-1.32 mm
(0.048-0.052 inch)
Ignition system DIS DIS
Compression ratio 9.35:1 9.6:1
Capacities and specifications
177

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

Item Information
Required fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity 48.5L (12.8 gallons)
Tire size and pressure Refer to the Certification Label
inside of driver's door.
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Oil capacity (includes filter
change)Sedan/wagon-3.8L (4.0 quarts)
ZX2-4.25L (4.5 quarts)
Engine oil Use Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super
Premium Motor Oil, Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G
Coolant capacity
1Automatic transaxle-6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
Manual transaxle-5.0L (5.3 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir.
Automatic transaxle capacity 3.9L (4.1 quarts)
Manual transaxle capacity 3.35L (3.55 quarts)
1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
Filling station information
200