2001 FORD ESCORT maintenance

²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Maintenance and care
174

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

5. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise.
6. Without turning, remove the old
bulb from the lamp assembly by
pulling it straight back out of the
lamp assembly and replace.
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
7. Install the new bulb in lamp assembly by pushing straight in with the
bulb's plastic base facing upward. Turn the bulb slightly to align the
grooves in the plastic base with the tabs in the lamp assembly.
8. Install the bulb retaining ring over the plastic base and lock the ring
by rotating it clockwise until it snaps into place.
9. Connect the electrical connector into the plastic base until it ªsnaps.º
10. Install the protective dust shield and lock the shield by rotating it
clockwise until it locks into position.
11. Connect the headlamp wiring socket to the in-line connector.
12. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly. If the
headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb, you should
not need to align it again.
Maintenance and care
177

Replacing foglamp bulbs
1. Remove the bulb socket from the
foglamp by turning
counterclockwise.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the foglamp bulb.
3. Connect the electrical connector
to the new foglamp bulb.
4. Install the bulb socket in the
foglamp turning clockwise.
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs
To remove the brakelamp bulb:
1. Push the center of the push pins
in to release tension.
2. Pull the push pins out of the
cover and slide the cover away from
the package tray.
3. Remove the bulb by rotating it
counterclockwise and pulling it out
of the lamp assembly.
4. Carefully pull out the bulb
straight out of the socket and push
in new bulb.
To install the brakelamp bulb:
1. Install the bulb into the lamp assembly and rotate clockwise.
2. Install the push pins in the cover far enough that the pins protrude
outside of the cover about 6 mm (1/4 inch).
3. Install the cover and secure with the push pins.
Maintenance and care
178

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 screws. 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
179

License plate lamps
To change the license plate bulbs:
1. Remove two screws and the
license plate lamp assembly from
the rear bumper.
2. Carefully pull the bulb out from
the lamp assembly and push in the
new bulb.
3. Install the lamp assembly on rear
bumper with two screws.
Replacing backup lamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
INTERIOR BULBS
Dome lamp
1. Remove the lamp lens by applying
pressure to both tabs at the top of
the lamp and pulling lens
downward.
2. Pull out the burned-out bulb and
install a new one.
3. Install the lamp lens by applying
pressure to both sides of the lamp
lens and popping the lamp lens up
on the assembly.
Map lamps
For bulb replacement, see a qualified service technician or your dealer.
OFF DOOR ON
Maintenance and care
180

Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized ªD.O.T.º for North America and an
ªEº for Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Trade Number
Front park/turn lamps 3457 AK (amber)
Foglamps (if equipped) 881
Headlamps-aero high and low beam 9007
Rear license plate lamps 168
High-mount brake lamp 921
Backup lamps 3156K
Brake lamps 3157K
Interior overhead lamp 12V/10W
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
Your vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device (VHAD)
on each headlamp. Each headlamp may be properly aimed in the vertical
(up/down) and the horizontal (left/right) directions using your VHAD
system. The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the
assembly plant.
A bubble (vertical indicator) that is not centered between the two red
lines does not necessarily indicate out-of-aim headlamps. If your vehicle
is not positioned on a level surface, the slope will be included in the
vertical indication. Therefore, vertical and horizontal headlamp
adjustment should be performed only when the beam direction appears
to be incorrect.
You will need one 4 mm wrench or socket to make the adjustments.
If the vehicle has been in an accident, the vehicle's front structure
should be properly aligned before aiming the headlamps.
Maintenance and care
181