2003 FORD ESCAPE brake light

Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
160

•Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND COVERS
Aluminum wheel rims or covers are coated with a clearcoat paint finish.
In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A), which is
available from your dealer.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•To remove tar and grease, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil
Removal (B7A-19520–AA), available from your dealer.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
•Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
Cleaning
178

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
•We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guide/Owner
Information Guideto find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Maintenance and Specifications
183

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................95, 99
and child safety seats ..............97
description ..........................95, 99
disposal ....................................101
driver air bag ....................97, 100
indicator light ...................98, 101
operation ...........................97, 100
passenger air bag .............97, 100
side air bag ................................99
Air cleaner filter ...............212, 218
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................128
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................194
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................118
Anti-theft system ........................72
arming the system ....................72
disarming a triggered system ..73
Audio system
(see Radio) ................15, 18, 22, 26
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................209
fluid, checking ........................209
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................122
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specification ..................223
Auxiliary power point .................47
Axle
lubricant specifications ..221, 223
refill capacities ........................218
B
Battery .......................................192acid, treating emergencies .....192
jumping a disabled battery ....159
maintenance-free ....................192
replacement, specifications ...218
servicing ..................................192
BeltMinder ...................................90
Brakes ........................................118
anti-lock ...................................118
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................118
fluid, checking and adding ....209
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specifications .........221, 223
lubricant specifications ..221, 223
parking ....................................119
shift interlock ..........................120
Bulbs ............................................38
C
Calculating load ........................141
Capacities for refilling fluids ....218
Cargo area shade ........................54
Cassette tape player .............15, 22
CD-single premium ...............18, 26
Cell phone use ............................52
Certification Label ....................225
Changing a tire .........................154
Child safety restraints ..............102
child safety belts ....................102
Child safety seats ......................105
attaching with tether straps ..109
in front seat ............................107
in rear seat ..............................107
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............178
instrument panel ....................180
interior .....................................181
Index
231

J
Jack ............................................154
positioning ...............................154
storage .....................................154
Jump-starting your vehicle ......159
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........114
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................33
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................38
cargo lamps ...............................34
daytime running light ...............33
fog lamps ...................................33
headlamps .................................33
headlamps, flash to pass ..........34
instrument panel, dimming .....34
interior lamps .....................36–38
replacing bulbs ....... 38–39, 41–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................36
Liftgate ........................................53
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........118
Load limits .................................139
GAWR ......................................139
GVWR ......................................139
trailer towing ..........................139
Loading instructions .................140
Locks
childproof ..................................65
Lubricant specifications ...221, 223
Lumbar support, seats .........76–77M
Manual transaxle .......................125
fluid, checking and adding ....211
reverse .....................................126
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................218
lubricant specifications ..........223
Mirrors .........................................46
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................47
fold away ...................................49
heated ........................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ................203, 218
O
Octane rating ............................202
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................188
Overdrive ...................................122
P
Parking .......................................127
Parking brake ............................119
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....218
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................151
Power door locks ........................63
Power point .................................47
Power steering ..........................119
fluid, checking and adding ....208
fluid, refill capacity ................218
fluid, specifications .........221, 223
Power Windows ...........................48
Index
234