2001 FORD ESCORT check engine

1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
20 C65 C
20 C65 C
20 C65 C
Maintenance and care
155

The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
The ªCheck Fuel Capº (if equipped) light illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position. It will also illuminate when the fuel filler cap
is not properly installed. Proper fuel filler cap installation is checked
automatically as the vehicle is driven, but not until after some fuel is
used (fuel guage drops below full). Once the fuel filler cap is properly
secured, the ªCheck Fuel Capº light will turn off after a short period of
driving.
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.
Maintenance and care
168

²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
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.
²
You 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.
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.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
Maintenance and care
173

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

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Foglamps (if equipped)
²High-mount brakelamp
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
²Hazard flashers
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamps are turned OFF.
2. Open the hood and disconnect the headlamp wiring socket from the
in-line connector. This will make it easier to change the bulb.
3. Remove the protective dust shield
from the housing by turning the
dust shield counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling rearward.
Maintenance and care
176

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

safety belts ..............................188
washing ....................................184
waxing .....................................184
wheels ......................................185
windows ..................................188
wiper blades ............................186
woodtone trim ........................188
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............38
Clock ......................................25, 33
Clutch
fluid ..........................................146
operation while driving ..........106
recommended shift speeds ....108
Coolant
checking and adding ..............148
refill capacities ................152, 190
specifications ..................191±192
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................46
Customer Assistance ................114
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................203
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................196
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................202
Getting roadside assistance ...114
Getting the service you
need .........................................196
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................206
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................199
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................202D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................44
Defrost
rear window ..............................43
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................154
engine oil .................................142
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........191
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................113
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................129
Emission control system ..........174
Engine ................................192±193
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................9
cleaning ...................................186
coolant .....................................148
idle speed control ...................157
lubrication
specifications ..................191±192
refill capacities ........................190
service points ..................140±141
starting after a collision .........115
Engine block heater ...................96
Engine oil ..................................142
checking and adding ..............142
dipstick ....................................142
filter, specifications ........144, 189
recommendations ...................144
refill capacities ........................190
Index
210