check engine FORD ESCORT 1998 6.G Owner's Manual

center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the ªService
Guide.º
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type is used. The type
of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the hole at the
bottom of the dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Your transaxle does not use up
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission
Maintenance and care
143

fluid at least twice a year. The
fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips
or shifts slowly or if you notice
some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC
(150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately
32 km (20 miles) of driving.
If your vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry lint free
rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
20 C65 C
Maintenance and care
144

tap water to the battery, as long as
you do not use hard water (water
with a high alkali content). If
possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled
water. If the battery needs water
often, have the charging system
checked.
For longer, trouble-free operation,
keep the top of the battery clean
and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the
battery or terminals, remove the
cables from the terminal(s) and
clean with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution
of baking soda and water. Reinstall
the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of
each battery terminal to help
prevent corrosion.
If your battery has a
cover/shield, make sure it is
reinstalled after the battery is
replaced.
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the engine must relearn
its idle conditions before your
vehicle will drive properly. To
begin this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park)
(automatic transaxles) or the
Maintenance and care
146

Please consult your ªWarranty
Guideº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªcheck
engine/service engine soonº light is
on, reference the applicable light
description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the
ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system
or its battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is
reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the OBD-II
system for I/M testing, a minimum
of 30 minutes of city and highway
driving is necessary as described
below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving
in stop and go, city type traffic
with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its
normal operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
162

Once started, do not turn off the
engine until the above driving
cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
It is a good idea to check the
operation of the following lights
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Foglamps (if equipped)
Coupe
Sedan/wagon
²High-mount brake lamp
²Tail lamps
²Brake lamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Maintenance and care
163

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................58
and child safety seats ..............60
description ................................59
disposal ......................................63
indicator light ...........................62
passenger air bag .....................61
Air cleaner filter .......................148
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............21,24
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................88
Anti-theft system ........................44
arming the system ....................44
disarming a triggered system ..46
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................45
Battery .......................................145
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............136
Brakes ..........................................87
anti-lock .....................................87
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................88
fluid, checking and adding ....136
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................163
specifications ..........................172
Cargo cover .................................39
Changing a tire .........................113
Child safety seats ........................66
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............175
built-in child seat ...................179
engine compartment ..............176
fabric ........................................178
instrument panel ....................178
plastic parts ............................177
safety belts ..............................179
tail lamps .................................178washing ....................................175
waxing .....................................175
wheels ......................................176
Clutch
fluid ..........................................137
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Emission control system ..........160
Engine
service points ...................130,131
Engine block heater ...................84
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......138,139
disposal ....................................141
refill capacities ........................141
Engine oil ...........................132,134
changing oil and oil filter .......135
checking and adding .......132,134
Exhaust fumes ............................85
Floor mats ...................................38
Foglamps .....................................28
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......159
improving fuel economy ........103
octane rating ...........................157
quality ......................................158
running out of fuel .................158
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................155
Fuel gauge ...................................14
Fuel pump shut-off switch ..39,104
Fuses ..............106,107,108,110,112
Gauges, Mechanical ....................13
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
Hazard flashers .........................104
Headlamps ...................................26
daytime running lights .............26
flashing ......................................27
high beam .................................27
Heating ........................................18
Index
188

High beams
indicator light ...........................10
Hood
release lever ............................128
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........26
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................17
Jump-starting your
vehicle .................................118,120
attaching cables ......................119
disconnecting cables ..............120
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Lamps
dome lamps ........................36,171
fog lamps .................................167
headlamps ...............................165
high-mount brakelamp ...........167
interior lamps ....................36,171
map lamps ..........................36,172
tail lamps .................................169
License plate lamps ..................171
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............10
anti-theft ...................................10
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
check coolant ............................11
liftgate ajar ................................11
low fuel ........................................7
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon .................7,8
turn signal indicator .................10
Lubricant specifications ...........181
Luggage rack .............................103
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......17
Moon roof ....................................35Odometer .....................................15
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................42
Parking brake ..............................89
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....180
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....142
Rear window
wiper ..........................................35
Refill capacities for fluids ........180
Relays .................................106,113
Remote entry system .................39
illuminated entry ......................44
locking/unlocking doors ......40,41
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................43
replacing the batteries .............42
Reporting safety defects ..........187
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................53,54
extension assembly ..................56
for children ...............................63
for second row bench
seats ............................73,74,78,79
lap and shoulder belts .............52
maintenance ..............................57
proper use .................................51
warning light and chime .....11,57
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....70
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................67
tether anchorage
hardware ..............................70,71
Seats ............................................47
adjusting the seat, manual .......47
folding rear seats ......................50
head restraints ..........................47
Servicing your vehicle ..............123
precautions when servicing ...123
Index
189