2001 FORD ESCORT warning light

4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
²After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
²This will disable Belt Minder if it is currently enabled, or enable Belt
Minder if it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is provided by the safety belt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided by:
²The safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three
seconds.
²Followed by three seconds with the safety belt warning light off.
²Once again, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per
second for three seconds.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped),
LATCH child seat tether anchors and lower anchors (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
78

The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air bag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.
While the system is designed to help
reduce serious injuries, contact with
a deploying air bag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary
hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable
force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures,
facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who
are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags)
²one or more impact and safing sensors
²a readiness light and tone
²a diagnostic module
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
Seating and safety restraints
83

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
Driving
98

ABS warning lampABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake
released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four-wheel
ABS is required, apply continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient
space, will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²The anti-lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply
the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough
room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, pull the handle up as
far as possible.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
99

3. Push and hold the thumb button.
4. Move the gearshift lever.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift
lever, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle's brakelamps
may not be operating properly.
Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transaxle and tires may be damaged or the engine may overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
PRND
D
L
Driving
102

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 yourWarranty Guidefor 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.
Maintenance and care
175

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................79±80
and child safety seats ..............82
description ................................80
disposal ......................................84
driver air bag ............................82
indicator light .....................10, 84
operation ...................................82
passenger air bag .....................82
Air cleaner filter .......159±160, 189
Air conditioning ..........................38
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................148
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..................................98±99
Anti-theft system ........................62
arming the system ..............62±63
disarming a triggered
system .................................63±64
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................63
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........19
Automatic transaxle .................101
driving with .............................103
fluid, adding ............................154
fluid, checking ........................154
fluid, refill capacities ..............190
fluid, specification ..................192
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........191
B
Battery .......................................157
acid, treating emergencies .....157charging system warning
light ............................................11
jumping a disabled battery ....129
maintenance-free ....................157
replacement, specifications ...189
servicing ..................................157
Belt minder .................................75
Brakes ..........................................98
anti-lock ...............................98±99
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...........11, 99
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....145
fluid, refill capacities ..............190
fluid, specifications .........191±192
lubricant specifications ..191±192
parking ......................................99
shift interlock ..........................101
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....190
Certification Label ....................194
Child safety restraints ................85
child safety belts ......................85
Child safety seats ........................86
attaching with tether straps ....90
in front seat ..............................88
in rear seat ................................88
Cleaning your vehicle ...............184
engine compartment ..............186
exterior ............................184±185
exterior lamps .........................186
instrument cluster lens ..........187
instrument panel ....................187
interior .............................187±188
mirrors .....................................185
plastic parts ............................185
Index
209

specifications ..................191±192
Exhaust fumes ............................97
F
Floor mats ...................................56
Fluid capacities .........................190
Foglamps .....................................45
Fuel ............................................166
calculating fuel economy .......171
cap .....................................12, 168
capacity ...................................190
choosing the right fuel ...........169
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................174
detergent in fuel .....................170
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................166, 168, 171
filter, specifications ........171, 189
fuel pump shut-off switch .....115
gauge .........................................14
improving fuel economy ........171
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ...........169, 192±193
quality ......................................170
running out of fuel .................170
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................166
Fuses ..................................117, 119
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......12, 168
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................171
Gauges .........................................13
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
fuel gauge ..................................14odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................15
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................16
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................109
definition .................................109
driving with a heavy load ......109
location ....................................109
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................109
calculating ...............................109
definition .................................109
driving with a heavy load ......109
location ....................................109
H
Hazard flashers .........................115
Head restraints ...........................65
Headlamps ...................................44
aiming ..............................181±183
bulb specifications ..................181
daytime running lights .............44
flash to pass ..............................45
high beam ...........................11, 45
replacing bulbs .......................176
turning on and off ....................44
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................38
heater only system ...................38
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................40
Hood ..........................................138
I
Ignition .........................44, 192±193
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..86
Index
211