2000 FORD ESCORT light

Troubleshooting the CD changer (if equipped)
The laser beam used in the compact disc player is harmful to the
eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the case.
If sound skips:
²You may be traveling on a rough road, playing badly scratched discs or
the disc may be dirty. Skipping will not scratch the discs or damage
the player.
If your changer does not work, it may be that:
²A disc is already loaded where you want to insert a disc.
²The disc is inserted with the label surface downward.
²The disc is dusty or defective.
²The player's internal temperature is above 60ÉC (140ÉF). Allow the
player to cool down before operating.
²A disc with format and dimensions not within industry standards is
inserted.
Cleaning compact discs
Inspect all discs for contamination before playing. If necessary, clean
discs only with an approved CD cleaner and wipe from the center out to
the edge. Do not use circular motion.
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 10 to
12 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.
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34

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 87.7, 87.9±107.7, 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 modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
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.
Controls and features
35

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
windshield defrost ducts. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to
reduce fogging.
²
(Defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will reduce fogging
on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
climate control system in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
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39

²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield).
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
²When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to
not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block
airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These
objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate control system.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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 15 minutes.
R.DEF
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40

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.
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.
LOCKACCONSTART0IIIIII4
3
2
1
OFF
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41

POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Position the floor mat so that the
eyelet is over the pointed end of the
retention post and rotate forward to
lock in. Make sure that the mat does
not interfere with the operation of
the accelerator or the brake pedal.
To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle is equipped with a mechanical interior luggage compartment
release handle that provides a means of escape for children and adults in
the event they become locked inside the luggage compartment.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and
location of the release handle.
To open the luggage compartment
door (lid) from the inside, pull the
illuminated ªTº shaped handle and
push up on the trunk lid. The
material that the handle is made of
will glow for hours in the darkness
of the luggage compartment
following brief exposure to ambient
light.
The ªTº shaped handle will be
located either on the luggage
compartment door (lid) or inside
the luggage compartment near the
tail lamps.
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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.
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58

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
67