2003 FORD ESCORT window

7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle and
pull up on the shoulder belt while
pushing down with your knee on the
child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly move the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place. To check
this, grab the seat at the belt path
and attempt to move it side to side
and forward. There should be no
more than one inch of movement for
proper installation.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps
two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
Most new forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which
goes over the back of the seat and hooks to an anchoring point. Tether
straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact
the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a
tether strap.
The rear seats of your vehicle are equipped with built-in tether strap
anchors located behind the seats as described below.
The tether anchors in your vehicle are located below the rear window
marked with the tether anchor symbol (shown with title).
Seating and Safety Restraints
80

Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and heater/defroster performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-23° C (-10° F) or below. For best results, plug the heater in at least
three hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the
night before starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle’s brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a “metal-to-metal,” “continuous grinding” or
“continuous squeal” sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Driving
88

Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
DRL 10A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
HAZARD 15A Hazard flasher
ROOM 10A Engine controls, RAP system,
Radio, Shift lock, Courtesy lamps,
Starting system, Warning chime,
Instrument cluster
ENGINE 15A Electronic automatic transaxle,
Ignition system, Constant control
relay module (PCM relay)
RADIO 5A Power mirrors, Radio, RAP system
DOOR LOCK 30A Power door locks
HORN 15A Horn, Shift lock
AIR COND 15A A/C-heater, ABS
METER 10A Backup lamps, Engine coolant
level switch, Instrument cluster,
Rear window defrost, Shift lock,
Warning chime, Turn signal switch
(DRL) (DOOR LK)
STOP
HAZARD HORN
TAIL
ROOM(AIR COND) (SUN ROOF)
ENGINE METER(ASC)
RADIO
WIPER
–P. Window (C.B.)
(FOG) CIGAR
(AUDIO)
AIR BAGFUEL INJ
HEATER
–
Roadside Emergencies
107

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
WIPER 20A Wiper/Washer, Blower motor relay
STOP 20A Stop lamps, Brake pressure switch
TAIL 15A Exterior lamps, Instrument
illumination
SUN ROOF 15A Power moonroof
ASC 10A Speed control
P. WINDOW 30A CB Power windows
CIGAR 20A Cigar lighter
AIR BAG 10A Air bags
FOG 10A Fog lamps, DRL
AUDIO 15A Premium sound amplifier, CD
changer
FUEL INJ. 10A H02S, Evaporative emission purge
flow sensor
BLOWER 30A CB Blower motor relay
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Always replace the cover to the power distribution box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid reservoirs
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
Roadside Emergencies
108

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
FUEL INJ. 30A* Air bags, Constant control relay
module (PCM relay), Generator
DEFOG 30A* Rear window defrost
MAIN 100A* Overall circuit protection
BTN 40A* Hazard, Stop, Door lock, Tail,
Roomand Horn fuses of the I/P
fuse panel
ABS 60A* Anti-lock Brake System(ABS)
main relay
COOLING FAN 40A* Constant control relay module
(cooling fan)
OBD-II 10A* Data Link Connector (DLC),
Instrument cluster
FUEL PUMP 20A** Constant control relay module
(fuel pump)
HEAD RH 10A** Headlamps
HEAD LH 10A** Headlamps
* Fuse Link Cartridge **Fuse
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY
FUEL INJ
30A
DEFOG
30A
MAIN
100A
COOLING FAN
40A (ABS)
60A BTN
40A
HEADLAMP
RELAY
FUEL PUMP 20AOBD-II 10A
HEAD RH 10A HEAD LH 10A
Roadside Emergencies
109

•Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS
Use only approved products to clean plastic parts. These products are
available fromyour dealer.
•For routine cleaning, use Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A).
•If tar or grease spots are present, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and
Road Oil Removal (B7A-19520–AA).
WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
The windshield, rear window and wiper blades should be cleaned
regularly. If the wiper does not wipe properly, substances on the
windshield, rear window or the wiper blades may be the cause. These
may include hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes, tree
sap, or other organic contamination. To clean these items, please follow
these tips:
•The windshield or rear window may be cleaned with a non-abrasive
cleaner such as Motorcraft Ultra Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (ZC-23),
available fromyour dealer.
Cleaning
132

•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

Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......28–29
Clock ......................................17, 25
Clutch
fluid ..................................160–161
operation while driving ............97
recommended shift speeds ......98
Coolant
checking and adding ..............146
refill capacities ................150, 170
specifications ..................171–172
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................45
Customer Assistance ................103
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................134
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................120
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............126
Getting roadside assistance ...103
Getting the service you
need .........................................120
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................127
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................123
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program...................................126
D
Defrost
rear window ..............................32
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................161
engine oil .................................141Doors
lubricant specifications ..........171
Driving under special
conditions ....................................96
through water ...........................98
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................114
Emission control system ..........158
Engine ........................................172
cleaning ...................................131
coolant .....................................146
idle speed control ...................144
lubrication
specifications ..................171–172
refill capacities ........................170
service points ..........................140
starting after a collision .........104
Engine block heater ...................88
Engine oil ..................................141
checking and adding ..............141
dipstick ....................................141
filter, specifications ........143, 169
recommendations ...................143
refill capacities ........................170
specifications ..................171–172
Exhaust fumes ............................88
F
Floor mats ...................................50
Fluid capacities .........................170
Foglamps .....................................33
Fuel ............................................151
calculating fuel economy .......155
cap ...........................................153
capacity ...................................170
Index
180