2003 FORD ESCORT towing

FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. It is preferred that you return to the authorized
dealer where your vehicle was purchased when warranty repairs are
needed. However, you may also take your vehicle to another Ford Motor
Company or Ford of Canada dealership authorized for warranty repairs.
Certain warranty repairs require special training though, so not all
dealers are authorized to performall warranty repairs. That means that
depending on the warranty repair needed, the vehicle may need to be
taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership cannot assist you, then
contact the Customer Relationship Center.
Customer Assistance
120

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km(8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and Specifications
158

cargo lamps ...............................34
fog lamps ...................................33
headlamps ...........................33, 38
headlamps, flash to pass ..........34
instrument panel, dimming .....34
interior lamps .....................37–38
replacing bulbs .............37, 40–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................36
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............90
Load limits ...................................99
GAWR ........................................99
GVWR ........................................99
trailer towing ............................99
Lubricant specifications ...171–172
M
Manual transaxle
fluid capacities ........................170
lubricant specifications ..........172
Manual transmission ...................97
reverse .......................................98
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......45
Moon roof ....................................48
Motorcraft parts ................155, 169
O
Octane rating ............................154
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................141
P
Parking brake ..............................90
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....169Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................108
Power door locks ........................51
Power steering ............................91
fluid, checking and adding ....160
fluid, refill capacity ................170
fluid, specifications .........171–172
Power Windows ...........................44
R
Radio ............................................19
Rear window defroster ...............32
Relays ................................105, 110
Remote entry system .................53
locking/unlocking doors ...........51
opening the trunk .....................54
Roadside assistance ..................103
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........60–63
Safety defects, reporting ..........129
Safety restraints ....................60–63
belt minder ...............................65
cleaning the safety belts ..........68
extension assembly ..................64
for adults .............................61–63
for children .........................73–74
warning light and chime ..........64
Safety seats for children ............76
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................60
Seats ............................................58
child safety seats ......................76
Servicing your vehicle ..............136
Index
182

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