Ford escort owners manual 1997

Conditions of operation If. Page 63 Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag SRS or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Page 65 Seating and safety restraints in the instrument cluster illuminates for approximately six seconds to indicate that the system is functional.

If you hear a group of five beeps, or if the warning light does not illuminate, stays lit, or flashes, the air bag system requires immediate service. Page 66 To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Refer to Using the automatic locking mode in this chapter. Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt seating positions 1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt. Page 69 Seating and safety restraints 3. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear and feel the latch engage. Page 70 Seating and safety restraints 7. Pull the lap belt portion across the child seat toward the buckle and pull up on the shoulder belt while pushing down on the child seat to tighten the belt as much as possible.

Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt. Page 71 Seating and safety restraints 4. Insert the tongue into the proper buckle. Push down on the child safety seat while pulling on the loose part of the lap belt webbing to tighten the belt. Before placing the child in the child safety seat, forcibly tilt the seat from side to side and forward and back to make sure the seat is Page 72 Additional kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Page 73 Seating and safety restraints Ford recommends you attach tethered safety seats in a rear seating position with the tether strap attached to the tether anchoring bracket as shown in the instructions provided with the tether anchor kit.

If a tethered seat must be installed in the front passenger seat: 1. Refer to the instructions provided with the tether anchor kit.

Refer to the instructions provided with your child safety seat to securely attach the child safety seat by tether to the tether strap anchor location. Page 75 Seating and safety restraints Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belt system of your child seat.

If there is any damage to the system or if it is not functioning properly, see your dealer. Placing your child in the built-in child seat Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of Page 76 Seating and safety restraints Ensure that the latch release buttons are in the full up locked position. When the latch release buttons are in full up locked position and the built-in child seat is open, the rear seatback cannot be unlocked or folded down.

Page 77 Seating and safety restraints 2. Release the cushion retention clip. Lower the child seat cushion. If the child seat cannot be opened, return it to the dealer for repair. Page 78 Seating and safety restraints 4.

Fold the end portion of the child seat under the child seat cushion. Disconnect the chest clip, if connected. Squeeze together the release tabs on the top and bottom of the chest clip. Page 79 Seating and safety restraints 6. Place the child in the seat and position the shoulder belts. Insert the left safety belt tongue into the left side of the buckle. Repeat for the right side.

Verify that the indicator window on each tongue is green to ensure proper safety belt connections. Page 80 Seating and safety restraints If both tongues do not latch in the buckle, do not use the child seat.

See your dealer for repairs. Page 81 Seating and safety restraints Activating the automatic locking mode on the built-in child seat 1.

Fully pull out both shoulder belts. Canceling the automatic locking mode on the built-in child seat 1. Page 82 Seating and safety restraints Removing your child from the built-in child seat 1. Disconnect the chest clip by squeezing the release tabs together and pulling the two sides apart. Page 83 Seating and safety restraints 2. Press the release button on the buckle.

Return the child seat cushion to the stowed upright position. Ensure the shoulder belts are in the center of the built-in child seatback and connect the cushion retention clip. Page 84 Dealer technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the child restraints do not show When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than when the engine is warm.

If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes. This system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise. Before starting the vehicle: 1.

Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. Page 88 Starting 4. Make sure the following lights illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced. If the engine does not start on the first attempt: 1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK and wait approximately ten seconds.

Page 90 Starting 2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor and hold. Release it once the engine starts. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up. If the engine still does not start, refer to Fuel pump shut-off switch in the Roadside emergencies chapter. Page 91 Starting plug it in at night to start the vehicle the next morning.

Do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged cheater adapters. You can be injured by an electrical shock if you use an ungrounded connection. The brakes will adjust automatically as the brake pads or linings wear down. A mechanical noise may be heard while the system conducts its self-test. ABS warning light light in the instrument cluster illuminates and remains illuminated if an ABS fault is detected. They may not be working properly. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P automatic transaxle or first gear manual transaxle.

Page 97 Driving Hold the brake the pedal down while you move the gearshift lever from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and cause injury. Moving a locked gearshift Automatic transaxle vehicles are equipped with a shift-lock safety feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved out of P without Page 98 Driving 3. Push and hold the thumb button.

Move the gearshift. For more information on fuses and fuse replacement, refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside Page Driving Upshifting For normal acceleration: Upshift from These actions will reduce clutch life. Page Driving specification terms found on the label, refer to Loading your vehicle in this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when figuring the total weight.

Page Driving and change the weight on the hitch. Using trailer brakes Use electric brakes or manual, automatic, or surge-type hydraulic brakes that meet federal and local regulations. Speed control if equipped may not work properly while towing on very long, steep grades. Page Driving Towing behind a recreational vehicle RV Do not tow your vehicle behind another vehicle, such as an RV, unless front wheel dollies are used.

Luggage rack if equipped Load luggage as far back as it will safely go on the rack without causing the vehicle to exceed the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR or gross axle weight Blown fuses are identified by a broken wire. Check the appropriate fuses before replacing any electrical components. Use the fuse puller tool provided on the passenger compartment 60 70 RPM x Page Roadside emergencies Even after a fuse is replaced, it will continue to blow if the cause of the overload is not identified and corrected.

Page Roadside emergencies Number Fuse amperage Circuits protected rating 9 Meter 10 amp Backup lamps, shift lock, gauges, speed control, turn signals, key-in-ignition reminder chime 10 Wiper 20 amp Windshield wipers and washer 11 Rear wiper 10 amp Rear wiper and washer 12 Hazard 15 amp Block the diagonally opposite wheel. Use the lug wrench to remove the hold-down bolts on the spare tire and jack. Page Roadside emergencies 6. Use the lug wrench provided with the jack to loosen the retention bolts on the spare tire.

Page Roadside emergencies 7. Loosen the remaining wheel lug nuts with the lug wrench about one half turn counterclockwise. Position the jack at the jack notch closest to the wheel. Insert the jack handle and raise the vehicle until the tire just clears the ground.

Page Roadside emergencies Installation of an English thread nut on a metric stud or vice-versa will not properly secure the wheel to the hub. Damaged studs may result in wheel separation and possible injury. Lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel lug nuts in the pattern shown.

An explosion could result in injury or vehicle damage. To protect yourself when charging a battery, always shield your face and eyes. Make sure that you can breathe fresh air. Page Roadside emergencies 4. Disconnect the jumper cables in numerical order: Engine Booster battery negative terminal Booster battery positive — terminal Previously disabled battery positive terminal Let the vehicle idle for a few minutes to allow the engine to relearn the proper idle conditions.

Avoid using unneccessary electrical accessories for a short while to let the battery recharge. Do not tow with slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor Company has not developed or approved a T-hook or slingbelt towing procedure.

If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands. Page Maintenance and care 3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. Page Maintenance and care Working with the engine on 1. Set the parking brake and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P automatic transaxle , or N manual transaxle.

Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the engine running. If work must be done with the engine running, avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts. Take appropriate precautions with long hair. Engine oil dipstick 2. Engine oil filler cap 3. Brake fluid reservoir 4. Windshield washer fluid 5. Coolant reservoir 6. Steering fluid reservoir 7. Automatic transmission dipstick 8. Battery 9. Air filter assembly Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments, or engine treatments are never needed and could, under certain conditions, lead to engine damage which is not covered by your Warranty.

Page Maintenance and care To check the engine oil, follow these steps: 1. Once the engine is warm, turn the engine off. Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground.

Page Maintenance and care Adding engine 1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to Checking the engine oil in this chapter. If the fluid level is not within the normal range, add engine oil by removing the engine oil filler cap and pouring in oil. Refer to Lubricant specifications in the Capacities and specifications chapter. During normal operation, the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir will rise slowly. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it difficult to see through the windshield.

Ford Premium Engine Coolant is an optimized formula that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4 years or 50, miles 80, km. Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Page Maintenance and care produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97BA, and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling system components. Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.

Start the engine. When the engine coolant temperature gauge reaches the normal zone, turn off the engine. Page Maintenance and care It is best to check the transaxle fluid level at the normal operating temperature, after approximately 35 km 20 miles of driving.

Page Maintenance and care 4 Set the parking brake. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, dry rag. Install the dipstick. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. Do not overfill the automatic transaxle fluid reservoir. If this occurs, the excess fluid should be removed by a qualified technician. Page Maintenance and care Batteries normally produce explosive gases that can cause personal injury. Do not allow flames, sparks, or lit smoking materials to come near the battery.

When charging or working near a battery, always cover your face, protect your eyes, and provide ventilation. Page Maintenance and care If the electrolyte level becomes low, refill the battery with distilled water.

If necessary, distilled water may be substituted with tap water that is not hard and does not have a high mineral or alkali content.

If the battery needs water quite often, have the charging system checked for a possible malfunction. Page Maintenance and care of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is eventually relearned. Page Maintenance and care Changing your air filter 1. We know this sounds crazy. It's a stupid rule in our opinion, but they authorize our manuals and that's what their lawyers require. Here are some of the comments we have received from users of RepairSurge.

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Manufacturer: Ford. Model: Escort. Production Year: Step by Step Instructions. Comprehensive Diagrams. Diagnostic Procedures. Wiring Diagrams. Here is what you'll get. Step-by-step factory recommended repair instructions. Unlimited access to personal support reps who are always available to assist you.