2003 FORD ESCORT tires

•Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km(3
miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires performdifferent jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
themas indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have themchecked.
•Four tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
Maintenance and Specifications
167

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

•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
MOTOCRAFTPARTNUMBERS
Component 2.0L DOHC Zetecengine
Air filter element FA-1643
Fuel filter FG-862
Battery BXT-58
Oil filter FL-801
PCV valve EV-239A
Spark plugs* AZFS-32FE**
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the same service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
Maintenance and Specifications
169

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