2003 FORD ESCORT steering wheel

•Do not use abrasives, as they may cause scratches.
•Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
•Wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
windshield washer solution. Be sure to replace wiper blades when they
appear worn or do not function properly.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
•Avoid cleaners or polish that increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver fromundesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the painted surfaces.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and safety belts:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Ford Extra Strength Upholstery
Cleaner (E8AZ-19523–AA).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Cleaning
133

If the vehicle’s powertrain systemor its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics systemis reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics systemfor I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, 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.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
160

When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., “All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
•SAE Class S chains may be used on P185/65R14 tires.
•Do not use tire chains with 38 cm(15 inch) wheel/tire options. Using
chains on this size tire may cause damage to steering, suspension
and/or body components.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
168

ItemFord Part
Name or
EquivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A WSB-M8B16–A2
1DO NOT USE Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or
VC-3, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange in color) Refer
toAdding engine coolant,in this chapter.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.0L DOHC Zetecengine
Cubic inches 121
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Spark plug gap 1.22-1.32 mm (0.048-0.052 inch)
Ignition systemDIS
Compression ratio 9.6:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 4451.0 (175.2)
(2) Overall width 1712.0 (67.4)
(3) Overall height 1328.4 (52.3)
(4) Wheelbase 2499.0 (98.4)
(5) Track - Front 1435.1 (56.5)
(5) Track - Rear 1435.1 (56.5)
Maintenance and Specifications
172

Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................110
Spark plugs, specifications ......169,
172
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................171–172
Speed control ..............................45
Starting your vehicle ......84–85, 87
jump starting ..........................114
Steering wheel
controls ......................................44
tilting .........................................44
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................28
Tires ...........................110, 165–166
changing ..........................110–111
checking the pressure ............166
replacing ..................................167
rotating ....................................167
snow tires and chains ............168
tire grades ...............................166
treadwear ................................166
Towing .......................................100
trailer towing ..........................100
wrecker ....................................119
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
lubricant specifications ..........172
Transmission
automatic operation .................91fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................161
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................164
lubricant specifications ..........171
manual operation ......................97
Trunk ...........................................51
remote release ....................49, 54
Turn signal ..................................36
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................172
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................174
Vehicle loading ............................99
Ventilating your vehicle .............88
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................141
Water, Driving through ...............98
Windows
power .........................................44
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....141
operation ...................................43
replacing wiper blades .............44
Wrecker towing .........................119
Index
183