2002 FORD ESCORT light

²Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
²Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
²Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the ªcold fullº level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To avoid personal injury, make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system is
under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the
cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
Maintenance and Specifications
172

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 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 Specifications
177

The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
178

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 specificationsin
this chapter.
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 Specifications
182

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 theInstrument Clusterchapter. 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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
184

Travel equipment
Auto headlamps with daytime running lights (DRL)
Console armrest
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Highway safety kit
First aid kit
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters (bike, ski and snowboard)
Speed control
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Car cover
Cargo liner
Cargo shade
Carpet floor mats
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full)
Molded splash guards
Rear decklid spoilers
Side window deflector
Styled hood deflector
Universal floor mats
Accessories
203

A
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................85
and child safety seats ..............87
description ................................85
disposal ......................................89
driver air bag ............................87
indicator light .....................12, 89
operation ...................................87
passenger air bag .....................87
Air cleaner filter ...............190, 195
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................38
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................169
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................102±103
Anti-theft system ..................69±70
arming the system ....................70
disarming a triggered
system .................................70±71
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................70
warning light .............................14
Automatic transaxle .................105
driving with .............................106
fluid, adding ............................187
fluid, checking ........................187
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
fluid, specification ..................198
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........196
B
Battery .......................................167
acid, treating emergencies .....167charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....132
maintenance-free ....................167
replacement, specifications ...195
servicing ..................................167
Belt minder .................................81
Brakes ........................................102
anti-lock ...........................102±103
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 103
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....186
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
fluid, specifications .........196, 198
lubricant specifications ..196, 198
parking ....................................104
shift interlock ..........................105
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....195
Certification Label ....................200
Child safety restraints ................90
child safety belts ......................90
Child safety seats ........................91
attaching with tether straps ....95
in front seat ..............................92
in rear seat ................................92
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............150
exterior ....................................154
instrument cluster lens ..........153
instrument panel ....................152
interior .....................................153
plastic parts ....................151±152
safety belts ..............................154
washing ....................................148
Index
205

waxing .....................................148
wheels ......................................149
windows ..................................154
wiper blades ............................152
Clock ......................................21, 28
Clutch
fluid ..........................................187
operation while driving ..........110
recommended shift speeds ....112
Coolant
checking and adding ..............169
refill capacities ................173, 195
specifications ..................196, 198
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................57
Customer Assistance ................118
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................155
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................138
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............144
Getting roadside assistance ...118
Getting the service
you need .................................138
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................145
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................141
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............144
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................42
Defrost
rear window ..............................41Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................187
engine oil .................................164
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........196
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................113
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................132
Emission control system ..........183
Engine ........................................198
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................11
cleaning ...................................150
coolant .....................................169
idle speed control ...................167
lubrication
specifications ..................196, 198
refill capacities ........................195
service points ..................161±162
starting after a collision .........119
Engine block heater .................101
Engine oil ..................................164
checking and adding ..............164
dipstick ....................................164
filter, specifications ........166, 195
recommendations ...................166
refill capacities ........................195
specifications ..................196, 198
Exhaust fumes ..........................101
F
Floor mats ...................................62
Index
206