2002 FORD ESCORT tow

Seating and Safety Restraints 72
Seating 72
Safety restraints 75
Air bags 85
Child restraints 89
Driving 97
Starting 97
Brakes 102
Transmission operation 105
Vehicle loading 113
Trailer towing 115
Roadside Emergencies 118
Hazard flasher switch 119
Fuses and relays 121
Changing tires 128
Jump starting 132
Wrecker towing 137
Customer Assistance 138
The dispute settlement board 141
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 144
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 144
Ordering additional owner's literature 145
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 147
Cleaning 148
Cleaning your vehicle 148
Underbody preservation 154
Table of Contents
2

Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular guidelines for breaking-in your vehicle. During
the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
recommended to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 7.3L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner's
Guide.
Introduction
6

Service engine soon
Illuminates briefly to ensure the
system is functional. If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine's emission control
systems may be malfunctioning. The
light may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and
will not require towing.
Light turns on solid:
Temporary malfunctions may cause the light to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the light
should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is
required.
If the light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrument Cluster
11

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
Entertainment Systems
36

windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Do not put objects under the front seat which may interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats (if equipped).
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield and underneath the hood).
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce visibility through your windshield. Avoid
placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These objects
may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in addition
to, damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select the position that distributes air through the Panel and Floor.
2. Set the temperature control to full heat.
3. Set the fan speed to full fan.
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows.
5. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
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
Climate Controls
41

High beams
²Push forward to activate.
²Pull toward you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel during headlamp
and parklamp operation.
Coupe
²Rotate up to brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
OFF
OFF
Lights
43

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.
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.
Lights
51

WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER
²For intermittent wiping, move the
control down one position and
rotate the wiper switch to the
desired position.
²For low speed wiping, move the
control down two positions.
²For high speed wiping, move the
control down three positions.
²For mist wiping, move the control up one position.
²To spray the washer fluid, pull
the wiper control toward you.
Windshield wiper blades
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
MIST
OFF
INT
1
2
F
S
PULL
INT
MIST
OFF
INT
1
2
F
S
PULL
INT
MIST
OFF
INT
1
2
F
S
PULL
INT
Driver Controls
53