2000 FORD ESCORT tow

²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
160

Tail lamp/turn signal/backup lamp bulbs
The tail/turn signal lamp and backup
lamp bulbs are located in the same
portion of the tail lamp assembly,
one just below the other. Follow the
same steps to replace either bulb.
1. Open trunk to expose the tail
lamp assembly. Remove the two
screws from the front of the lamp.
2. The tail lamp has hidden fasteners which can be disengaged by hitting
the lamp, with the side of your hand, toward the side of the vehicle.
3. Pull lamp assembly away from vehicle for access to bulbs.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb from the socket and
push in the new bulb.
6. Install the bulb socket into the
lamp by rotating it clockwise.
7. Position the tail lamp on the
vehicle and gently tap the lens to
engage the clips. Install the screws.
Maintenance and care
166

Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Cleaning mirrors
Do not clean your mirrors with a dry cloth or abrasive materials. Use a
soft cloth and mild detergent and water. Be careful when removing ice
from outside mirrors because you may damage the reflective surface.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. If
necessary, use a tar remover such as Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road
Oil Remover (B7A-19520±AA).
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear window
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield or rear window such as tree sap and some
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of
the windshield or rear window with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford
Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507±AA), available from your
Ford Dealer.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause
scratches. The windshield or rear window is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and wiper
blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
Maintenance and care
172

²Sedan model
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Certification label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Certification Label be affixed
to a vehicle and prescribe where the
Certification Label may be located.
The Certification Label is located on
the front door latch pillar on the
driver's side.
1
4
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
Capacities and specifications
180

Ford Extended Service Plan
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items)
²protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty
expires
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln/
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your
dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln/Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options.
Getting the service you need
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. When you need warranty repairs your selling dealer
would like you to return to it for that service, but you may also take your
vehicle to another Ford Motor Company or Ford of Canada dealership
authorized for warranty repairs. Certain warranty repairs require special
training though, so not all dealers are authorized to perform all warranty
repairs. That means that depending on the warranty repair needed, the
vehicle may need to be taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership
can not assist you, then contact the Customer Assistance Center.
Customer assistance
182

Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................158
Gauges ....................................12,13
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................13
fuel gauge ..................................13
odometer ...................................14
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................15
trip odometer ............................14
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....100
definition .................................100
driving with a heavy load ......100
location ....................................100
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............100
calculating ...............................100
definition .................................100
driving with a heavy load ......100
location ....................................100
Hazard flashers .........................106
Head restraints ...........................60
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ...............................168,169
bulb specifications ..................168
daytime running lights .............41
flash to pass ..............................42
high beam ............................11,42
replacing bulbs .......................163
turning on and off ....................41
warning chime ..........................12
Heating ........................................36
heater only system ...................36
heating and
air conditioning system ............37
Hood ..........................................129
Ignition ................................177,178
positions of the ignition ...........41
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..78
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................162Instrument panel ..........................8
cleaning ...................................173
cluster ...................................8,173
lighting up
panel and interior .....................16
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......119
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
positions of the ignition ...........41
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................168
cargo lamps ...............................16
daytime running light ...............41
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps ..........................41,163
headlamps, flash to pass ..........42
instrument panel, dimming .....16
interior lamps ....................49,167
replacing bulbs ..163,165,166,167
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................43
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .......11,90
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
high beam .................................11
low fuel ........................................8
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt .................................10
service engine soon ....................9
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................100
GAWR ......................................100
GVWR ......................................100
trailer towing ..........................100
Locks
childproof ..................................50
Lubricant specifications ....176,177
Index
196

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

fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................145
lubricant specifications ..........176
Trip odometer .............................14
Trunk ...........................................52
remote release .....................17,55
Turn signal .............................11,43
Vehicle dimensions ...................178
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................181
Vehicle loading ..........................100
Ventilating your vehicle .............88
Warning chimes ...........................12Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................136
Water, Driving through .............104
Windows
power .........................................51
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....136
checking and cleaning ............149
operation ...................................48
replacing wiper blades ...........149
Wrecker towing .........................124
Index
198