2003 FORD ESCORT Owners Manual

Travel equipment
Auto headlamps with daytime running lights (DRL)
Console armrest
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Highway safety kit
First aid kit
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters (bike, ski and snowboard)
Speed control
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
All-weather floor mats
Car cover
Cargo liner
Carpet floor mats
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full)
Molded splash guards
Rear decklid spoiler
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as lower
speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving
a heavily loaded vehicle.
Accessories
177

•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall or cause the transmission to be
damaged or operate improperly. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle’s operation.)
•Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Accessories
178

A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................89
Air bag supplemental restraint
system..........................................69
and child safety seats ..............71
description ................................69
disposal ......................................73
driver air bag ............................71
indicator light ...........................73
operation ...................................71
passenger air bag .....................71
Air cleaner filter .......164–165, 169
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system.................29
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................146
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................89
Anti-theft system........................56
arming the system ....................56
disarming a triggered system ..57
disarming an untriggered
system.......................................57
Audio system(see Radio) .........19
Automatic transaxle
driving with ...............................93
fluid, adding ............................161
fluid, checking ........................161
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
fluid, specification ..................172
Automatic transmission ..............91
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........171
B
Battery .......................................144acid, treating emergencies .....144
jumping a disabled battery ....114
maintenance-free ....................144
replacement, specifications ...169
servicing ..................................144
BeltMinder ...................................65
Brakes ....................................88–89
anti-lock .....................................89
anti-lock brake system(ABS)
warning light .............................90
fluid, checking and adding ....160
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
fluid, specifications .........171–172
lubricant specifications ..171–172
parking ......................................90
shift interlock ............................91
Bulbs ............................................37
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....170
Cell phone use ............................49
Certification Label ....................174
Changing a tire .........................110
Child safety restraints ................74
child safety belts ......................74
Child safety seats ........................76
attaching with tether straps ....80
in front seat ..............................78
in rear seat ................................78
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............131
instrument panel ....................133
interior .....................................133
plastic parts ............................132
washing ....................................130
waxing .....................................130
wheels ......................................131
wiper blades ............................132
Index
179

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

choosing the right fuel ...........153
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................158
detergent in fuel .....................155
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................151, 153, 155
filter, specifications ........155, 169
fuel pump shut-off switch .....104
improving fuel economy ........155
octane rating ...................154, 172
quality ......................................154
running out of fuel .................155
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................151
Fuses ..................................105, 107
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............153
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................155
Gauges .........................................12
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .........................................99
definition ...................................99
driving with a heavy load ........99
location ......................................99
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .........................................99
calculating .................................99
definition ...................................99
driving with a heavy load ........99
location ......................................99
H
Hazard flashers .........................104
Head restraints ...........................58
Headlamps ...................................33
aiming ..................................34–36bulb specifications ....................37
flash to pass ..............................34
high beam.................................33
replacing bulbs .........................38
turning on and off ....................33
Heating
heater only system...................28
heating and air conditioning
system.......................................29
Hood ..........................................138
I
Ignition .................................84, 172
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..76
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................159
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................133
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................34
J
Jack ............................................110
positioning ...............................110
storage .....................................110
Jump-starting your vehicle ......114
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........84
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................37
Index
181

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

184