FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 17
Seating and safety restraints 47
Starting and driving
Starting 80
Driving 87
Roadside emergencies 104
Servicing
Maintenance and care 123
Capacities and specifications 180
Reporting safety defects 187
Index 188
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and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without
written authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
Elemental Chlorine Free
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation.
Indicates vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information
which may reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently.
This is necessary to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full
use of the brakes for the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
Introduction
2

Instrumentation
3

THEFT
LOW
FUEL5060 70
FUEL
FILLEF
CH1
2 /RPMx10001234
5
6
7
8304080
90
1006080100120
140
160000113
MIRROR
L
Power side view
mirrors
(pg. 17)Instrument cluster
(pg. 6)
Headlamp/turn
signal control
(pg. 26)Foglamp control *
(pg. 28)
Driver side air
bag
(pg. 58) Speed control
(pg. 28)
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 17)
Instrumentation
4

OFFR.DEFA/C
MAX
A/C HILO
TUNE
DISCS
SEEK
TRACK
SCANAM
FM
1SIDE 1-223456 COMP
SHUF EJREW
FF
PREMIUM SOUND
TAPE
CD H
M
+
BAL
FADE
BASS
TREBDOLBY B NRVOL
PUSH ON
MIST
OFFFIN
Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide
(pg. 18) Passenger side air bag
(pg. 58)
Climate controls
(pg. 18) Windshield wiper/washer
control
(pg. 34)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Base instrument cluster
Sport instrument cluster
!THEFTCHECK
COOLANT SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONPBRAKEABS+ –MPH
205060
70FUEL FILL
EF
CH1
2 /304080
90
100
110
120 10
20406080100
120
140
160
180200km/h
0
000000
00 0 LOW
FUEL
!THEFTCHECK
COOLANT SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONPBRAKEABS+ –MPH
205060
70FUEL FILL
EF1
2 /304080
90
100
110
120 10
20406080100
120
140
160
180200km/h
0
000000
00 0
CHRPMx1000
1234
5
6
7
8
LOW
FUEL
Instrumentation
6

ZX2 coupe instrument cluster
Low fuel
Illuminates when the fuel tank has
approximately eight liters (two
gallons) remaining. The lamp will
also illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the engine
is off.
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system.
This system is commonly known as
the On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soon
indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the ON
!
THEFT
LOW
FUEL
CHECK
COOLANTSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
PBRAKEABS+ –MPH
205060 70FUEL
FILLEF
CH1
2 /RPMx1000
1234
5
6
7
8
304080
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180km/h
0
000000
00 0
LOW
FUEL
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

position to check the bulb. If it
comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's
emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may
illuminate without a driveability
concern being noted. The vehicle
will usually be drivable and will not
require towing.
What you should do if the
Service Engine Soon light
illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been
properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely
tightening the gas cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions
present, theService Engine Soon
light should turn off. (A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No
Instrumentation
8

additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight
remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Instrumentation
9

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
10