FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G Owners Manual

Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute
the load in your trailer so that 10 ±
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions that the rental
agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual,
automatic or surge-type brakes are
safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your
Driving
101

dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment
for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear
when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and
upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your ªService Guideº for more
information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle trailer
combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for
stopping with a trailer attached.
Driving
102

²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
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
rating (GAWR).
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
²extended idle
Driving
103

HAZARD FLASHER
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The
hazard flashers can be operated
when the ignition is off.
²Slide the hazard flasher control
to the right to activate the
hazard flashers simultaneously.
²Slide the control to the left to
turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch
is a device intended to stop the
electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
seconds and return the key to the
OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks
in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
104

If your vehicle is a coupe, the fuel
pump shut-off switch is located on
the right side of the trunk behind
the trunk liner.
If your vehicle is a sedan or wagon,
the fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the driver's foot well,
behind the kick panel.
Roadside emergencies
105

FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse
may have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any
electrical components.
Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse
with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage
and could start a fire.
Standard fuse amperage rating
and color
Fuse rating Color
5 amp Tan
7.5 amp Brown
10 amp Red
15 amp Light blue
20 amp Yellow
20 amp fuse link Light blue
25 amp Natural
30 amp Light green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp fuse link Green
50 amp fuse link Red
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Dark blue
1515
Roadside emergencies
106

Coupe
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
DRL 10A Daytime Running Lamps
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
(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
RatingDescription
METER 10A Backup Lamps, Engine Coolant
Level Switch, Instrument Cluster,
Rear Window Defrost, Shift Lock,
Warning Chime, Turn Signal
Switch
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, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
AUDIO 15A Premium Sound Amplifier, CD
Changer
FUEL INJ. 10A H02S, Evaporative Emission
Purge Flow Sensor
BLOWER 30A CB Blower Motor Relay
Sedan/Wagon
The fuses are coded as follows:
Roadside emergencies
108

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
R.WIPER 10A Daytime Running Lamps, Liftgate
Wiper/Washer
HAZARD 15A Hazard Lamps
ROOM 10A Engine Controls, Remote
Anti-Theft Pesonality (RAP)
Module, Radio, Shift Lock,
Courtesy Lamps, Starting System,
Warning Chime
ENGINE 15A Air Bag, Engine Controls, TR
Sensor
MIRROR 5A Power Mirrors, Radio, Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE)
DOOR LOCK 30A Power Door Locks
HORN 15A Horn
AIR COND 15A A/C-Heater, ABS
R. WIPER (DOOR LK)
STOP
HAZARD HORN
TAIL
ROOM(AIR COND)
–
ENGINE METER(ASC)
MIRROR
WIPER
–P. Window (C.B.)
(FOG) CIGAR
(AUDIO)
AIR BAGFUEL INJ
HEATER
–
Roadside emergencies
109

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
METER 10A Backup Lamps, Engine Controls,
Instrument Cluster, Rear Window
Defrost, Shift Lock, Warning
Chime, Turn Signal Switch
WIPER 20A Wiper/Washer, Blower Relay
STOP 15A Stop Lamps
TAIL 15A Exterior Lamps, Instrument
Illumination
ASC 10A Speed Control
CIGAR 20A Cigar Lighter
AIR BAG 10A Joint Connector, Air Bag
Diagnostic Monitor
FOG 10A Fog Lamps, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
AUDIO 15A Radio
FUEL
INJECTOR10A H02S, Evaporative Emission
Purge Flow Sensor
P. WINDOW 30A CB Power Windows
BLOWER 30A CB A/C-Heater
Coupe
The high-current fuses are coded
as follows.
Roadside emergencies
110