2000 FORD ESCORT cooling

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
Controls and features
40

Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transaxle damage
and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
Driving
103

²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
Load the luggage as far back as safely possible on the rack without
exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR).
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
104

Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle's main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Always replace the cover to the Power Distribution Box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid reservoirs.
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and carechapter.
Coupe
The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
FUEL INJ. 30A* Air Bags, Constant Control Relay Module
(PCM Relay), Generator
DEFOG 30A* Rear Window Defrost
MAIN 100A* Overall Circuit Protection
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY
FUEL INJ
30A
DEFOG
30A
MAIN
100A
COOLING FAN
40A (ABS)
60A BTN
40A
HEADLAMP
RELAY
FUEL PUMP 20AOBD-II 10A
HEAD RH 10A HEAD LH 10A
Roadside emergencies
113

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
BTN 40A* Hazard, Stop, Door Lock, Tail, Room and
Horn Fuses of the I/P Fuse Panel
ABS 60A* ABS Main Relay
COOLING
FA N40A* Constant Control Relay Module (Cooling
Fan)
OBD-II 10A* Data Link Connector (DLC), Instrument
Cluster
FUEL
PUMP20A** Constant Control Relay Module (Fuel
Pump)
HEAD RH 10A** Headlamps
HEAD LH 10A** Headlamps
* Fuse Link Cartridge **Fuse
Sedan
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY
FUEL INJ
30A
DEFOG
30A
MAIN
100A
COOLING FAN
40A (ABS)
60A BTN
40A
HEADLAMP
RELAY
FUEL PUMP 20AOBD-II 10A
HEAD RH 10A HEAD LH 10A
Roadside emergencies
114

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
FUEL INJ. 30A* Air Bags, Engine Controls, Generator
DEFOG 30A* Rear Window Defrost
MAIN 100A* Charging System, BTN, Cooling Fan, Fuel
Pump, OBD-II, ABS Fuses, Ignition Switch,
Headlamps
BTN 40A* Hazard
ABS 60A* ABS Main Relay
COOLING
FA N40A* Constant Control Relay Module
OBD-II 10A** Data Link Connector (DLC), Instrument
Cluster
FUEL
PUMP20A** Engine Controls
HEAD RH 10A** Headlamps
HEAD LH 10A** Headlamps
* Fuse Link Cartridge ** Fuse
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller
than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only.
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
Roadside emergencies
115

JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic
converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes, and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability.
Preparing your vehicle
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Roadside emergencies
119

²Sedan
Check the washer fluid whenever you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine's cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant
provides:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
Maintenance and care
137