check engine FORD ESCORT 2002 7.G Owner's Manual

²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
182

Illumination of the ªService Engine Soonº light, charging system warning
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system
is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor 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 diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. 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 on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics 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. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and Specifications
184

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
²Coupe
²Sedan
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
185

CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
The clutch master cylinder and
brake master cylinder are part of
the same system; both are refillable
through the brake master cylinder
with brake fluid. For more
information on brake fluid
maintenance, refer toBrake fluidin
this chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical if irritation
persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Seek
medical attention immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). 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 fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
187

4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The 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 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
20 C65 C
20 C65 C
20 C65 C
Maintenance and Specifications
188

1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block and transmission.
Maintenance and Specifications
201

A
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................85
and child safety seats ..............87
description ................................85
disposal ......................................89
driver air bag ............................87
indicator light .....................12, 89
operation ...................................87
passenger air bag .....................87
Air cleaner filter ...............190, 195
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................38
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................169
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................102±103
Anti-theft system ..................69±70
arming the system ....................70
disarming a triggered
system .................................70±71
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................70
warning light .............................14
Automatic transaxle .................105
driving with .............................106
fluid, adding ............................187
fluid, checking ........................187
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
fluid, specification ..................198
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........196
B
Battery .......................................167
acid, treating emergencies .....167charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....132
maintenance-free ....................167
replacement, specifications ...195
servicing ..................................167
Belt minder .................................81
Brakes ........................................102
anti-lock ...........................102±103
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 103
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....186
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
fluid, specifications .........196, 198
lubricant specifications ..196, 198
parking ....................................104
shift interlock ..........................105
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....195
Certification Label ....................200
Child safety restraints ................90
child safety belts ......................90
Child safety seats ........................91
attaching with tether straps ....95
in front seat ..............................92
in rear seat ................................92
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............150
exterior ....................................154
instrument cluster lens ..........153
instrument panel ....................152
interior .....................................153
plastic parts ....................151±152
safety belts ..............................154
washing ....................................148
Index
205

waxing .....................................148
wheels ......................................149
windows ..................................154
wiper blades ............................152
Clock ......................................21, 28
Clutch
fluid ..........................................187
operation while driving ..........110
recommended shift speeds ....112
Coolant
checking and adding ..............169
refill capacities ................173, 195
specifications ..................196, 198
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................57
Customer Assistance ................118
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................155
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................138
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............144
Getting roadside assistance ...118
Getting the service
you need .................................138
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................145
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................141
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............144
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................42
Defrost
rear window ..............................41Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................187
engine oil .................................164
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........196
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................113
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................132
Emission control system ..........183
Engine ........................................198
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................11
cleaning ...................................150
coolant .....................................169
idle speed control ...................167
lubrication
specifications ..................196, 198
refill capacities ........................195
service points ..................161±162
starting after a collision .........119
Engine block heater .................101
Engine oil ..................................164
checking and adding ..............164
dipstick ....................................164
filter, specifications ........166, 195
recommendations ...................166
refill capacities ........................195
specifications ..................196, 198
Exhaust fumes ..........................101
F
Floor mats ...................................62
Index
206

J
Jack ............................................128
positioning ...............................128
storage .....................................128
Jump-starting your vehicle ......132
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........97
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................48
cargo lamps ...............................43
daytime running light ...............42
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps ...........................42, 49
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....43
interior lamps .....................46±49
replacing bulbs .............47, 50±52
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................46
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 103
anti-theft ...................................14
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
fuel cap light .............................13
high beam .................................14
low fuel ......................................13
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................11
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................113GAWR ......................................113
GVWR ......................................113
trailer towing ..........................113
Locks
childproof ..................................63
Lubricant specifications ...196, 198
M
Manual transaxle
fluid capacities ........................195
lubricant specifications ..........198
reverse .....................................112
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......56
Moon roof ....................................61
Motorcraft parts ................179, 195
O
Octane rating ............................178
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................164
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................67
Parking brake ............................104
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....195
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................125
Power door locks ........................63
Power steering ..........................104
fluid, checking and adding ....185
fluid, refill capacity ................195
fluid,
specifications ..................196, 198
Index
208