wheel FORD ESCORT 1996 7.G User Guide

165 [SC07525(ALL)08/95]
one third page art:0070176-B
The speed control switches on the steering wheel
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To set the speed control
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223
Driving Your Escort
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[DR00200(ALL)09/93]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary
depending on which type oftransaxleyour
vehicle has. You may be familiar with the term
ªtransmission.º We usetransaxlebecause it is a
more accurate term for vehicles that have
front-wheel drive.
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[DR00300(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle will have one of the following
types of transaxles:
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[DR00500(ALL)11/94]
q
an automatic overdrive transaxle, or
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[DR00600(ALL)11/94]
q
a manual transaxle.
[DR00650(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Engine Control Module that limits engine speeds
with a cut-out mode to promote durability.
%
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[DR03500(ALL)01/95]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle
[DR03600(ALL)06/93]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in either
k
(Overdrive) or D (Drive). Driving with the shift
selector in
k(Overdrive) gives the best fuel
economy for normal driving conditions. For
manual control, start in L (Low) and then shift
manually.
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227
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When to use D (Drive)
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[DR06000(ALL)04/95]
D (Drive) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain injOverdrive. It also gives more
engine braking to slow your vehicle on
downgrades thanjOverdrive.
[DR06100(ALL)09/95]
When to use L (Low)
[DR06200(ALL)08/93]
Use L (Low) when more power is needed to
drive up steep hills. It also gives more engine
braking than Drive when driving on hilly roads.
[DR06300(ALL)06/95]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (60 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from L (Low) to Drive or
from L (Low) to Overdrive at any speed.
[DR06320(ALL)09/95]
Reverse
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[DR06340(ALL)08/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
[DR06350(ALL)08/95]
Neutral
[DR06379(ALL)09/95]
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transaxle are
not locked. Your vehicle will roll freely, even on
the slightest incline, unless the parking brake or
brakes are on.
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228
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[DR06400(ALL)06/92]
Parking
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[DR06500(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
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[DR06600(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
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[DR06625(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
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[DR06675(ALL)02/91]
You can tell the gearshift is securely latched
when the thumb button has popped out. In this
position the gearshift selector lever cannot be
moved unless the button is pushed in.
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[DR06680(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Hold the brake 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 injure someone.
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232 [DR10200(ALL)02/92]Do not attempt to shift into 1 (First) gear with
the clutch pedal depressed at speeds higher than
10 mph (16 km/h). If you do, it could cause a
complete clutch failure, making your vehicle
inoperative.
%
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Steering Your Vehicle
[DR15700(ALL)07/93]
Your vehicle may be equipped with power
steering. Power steering uses energy from the
engine to help steer your vehicle.
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[DR15800(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
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[DR16000(ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
%
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[DR16200(ALL)03/95]
Brakes
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[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR16350(ALL)07/93]
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that
adjust automatically as the brake pads or linings
wear down.
[DR16400(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle may have four-wheel anti-lock disc
brakes which adjust automatically through
everyday use. Refer to section on anti-lock
brakes later in this chapter.
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[DR16700(ALL)05/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ºsqueezeª technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
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233
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[DR16800(ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
extreme braking can make the wheels lock and
slide, causing you to lose control of the steering.
If the wheels lock, release the brake pedal and
repeat the ºsqueezeª technique.
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[DR16900(ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[DR17000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you are driving down a long or steep
hill, shift to a lower gear. Do not apply
your brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
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[DR17100(ALL)02/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes annoyingly loud or increases
significantly in frequency of occurrence, return
the vehicle to your dealer for inspection.
[DR17200(ALL)09/89]
The high-mount brakelamp will light when you
apply the brakes.
[DR17300(ALL)05/95]Anti-lock Brake System
(If equipped)
*
[DR17325(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle may come with the optional
anti-lock brake system. Whenever your wheels
start to lock (which could result in a skid) the
anti-lock brake system prevents the lock-up by
automatically releasing and re-applying the
brakes. The brake pedal will pulsate as a result
of the automatic releasing and re-applying of the
brakes. In spite of this improvement in braking
performance, you should continue to be cautious
in all hazardous driving situations, especially
when driving on hazardous road surfaces. Even
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237
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Driving Under Special Conditions
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Tips for Safe Driving
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[DR19300(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
[DR19500(ALL)02/95]
q
Extreme acceleration can cause the front
wheels to spin, perhaps resulting in reduced
steering control.
[DR19550(ALL)01/95]
q
If you do not have anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can cause wheels to lock and slide,
making it difficult to control the direction of
the vehicle. Use the ºsqueezeª technique by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing force. This allows the wheels to
brake yet continue to roll so that you may
steer in the direction you want to travel. If
you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the squeeze technique.
*
[DR19700(ALL)02/95]
q
If you abruptly release the accelerator or
brake hard while going too fast around a
severe curve, your vehicle may change
direction. Avoid application of the brakes, if
possible. If braking is necessary, it should be
done by using the ºsqueezeª technique
described above.
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238 %
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Driving in Bad Weather
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Slippery roads
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[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
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[DR20000(ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
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[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
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Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
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[DR20200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
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[DR20400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
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[DR20500(ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
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[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads,
do not downshift into 1 (First) with the
automatic transaxle when moving faster
than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not downshift
into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle
when moving faster than 10 mph
(16 km/h).
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239
*
[DR20750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
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[DR20800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your
vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or
snow), you may try to ºrockª it out of the spot.
Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and
reverse gears. While in each gear, press lightly
on the accelerator and release.
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[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
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[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
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[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
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[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
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[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
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240 %
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[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[DR21700(ALL)03/94]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry. The total weight of your
vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers and
cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or on the door
latch post pillar.
[DR21900(ALL)10/91]
Usage of replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than originals does not increase GVWR or
GAWR. Usage of lower capacity replacement
tires may lower GVWR and GAWR limitations
and is not recommended.
*
[DR22000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label
is exceeded, your vehicle may be damaged
or you may lose control and injure
someone.
*
[DR30525(ALL)03/91]
Towing Behind Another Vehicle Ð
Recreational Vehicle
[DR30530(ALL)03/91]
Towing an automatic transaxle vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as a Recreational Vehicle
(RV), is not recommended unless a front wheel
dolly is used. Do not tow your automatic
transaxle with the front wheels on the ground or
transaxle damage may occur.
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