brakes FORD ESCORT 1997 6.G Owners Manual

Vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the
normal retractor mode, which
locks the belts in response to
vehicle movement. For example, if
the driver brakes suddenly or turns
a corner sharply, the combination
safety belts will lock to restrain
forward movement of the driver
and passengers.
The retractor can be made to lock
by pulling sharply on the belt.
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the occupant is
locked in a certain position by the
shoulder belt and the belt does not
adjust tightness during vehicle
movement.
The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic
locking mode
²When a tight lap and shoulder
belt fit is desired.
²Any timea child safety seat is
installed in the vehicle. For
more information on the proper
use of a child safety seat, refer
toChildren and infant or
child safety seatslater in this
chapter.
Seating and safety restraints
57

BRAKES
Power-assisted brakes
Apply the brake pedal gradually to
avoid locking up the wheels. The
brakes will adjust automatically as
the brake pads or linings wear
down.
Utilize these strategies for
maximum braking performance:
²If driving down a long or steep
hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply the brakes
continuously. Continuously
applying the brakes on a hill
could overheat them and make
them less effective.
²Occasional brake squeal during
light to moderate stops is
normal. Significantly increased
squeal is an indicator that brake
service is needed.
²Apply the brakes gently several
times after driving through
standing water or washing your
vehicle to dry them.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Apply ABS brakes steadily.Do not
pump the brakes in a panic stop.
The brake system will prevent
wheel lockup by automatically
releasing and reapplying the
brakes.
Even with ABS, the brakes could
lock up on roads with alternating
slippery and dry patches or with
loose surfaces such as snow or
gravel. Be careful when braking.
Driving
93

The ABS brake system conducts a
self-test each time the vehicle is
driven. A mechanical noise may be
heard while the system conducts
its self-test.
ABS warning light
TheABSlight in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated if an ABS fault is
detected. Have your vehicle
serviced by a qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
Normal braking operation is still
effective unless the
P!BRAKElight is
also illuminated.
Parking brake
The parking brake should be used
whenever the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be set to stop
the vehicle. The vehicle's stopping
distance will increase greatly and
vehicle steering response will be
limited.
When the ignition is turned to ON,
the
P!BRAKElight in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
Driving
94

If the parking brake is fully
released but the
P!BRAKEwarning light remains on,
have the brakes checked
immediately. They may not be
working properly.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (automatic
transaxle) or first gear (manual
transaxle).
To release the parking brake:
²While pressing the release
button, pull the handle upward
to release the brake.
²Push handle downward to the
off position.
Driving
95

and change the weight on the
hitch.
Using trailer brakes
Use electric brakes or manual,
automatic, or surge-type hydraulic
brakes that meet federal and local
regulations. Install and adjust the
brakes according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
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.
Using safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the chains, cross the chains under
the trailer tongue and attach to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers
(not the bumper). Make sure there
is enough slack to allow the vehicle
to turn corners.
Using trailer lamps
See your local trailer dealer or
rental agency for the proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Do not hook the trailer lights
directly into the vehicle's lighting
system wiring. If the trailer lamps
are not installed properly, the
warning lights in the instrument
cluster may not work properly.
Driving
104

CHECKING AND ADDING
BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once a
year:
²Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
²Visually inspect the fluid level.
²If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX.
²Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use brake fluid that
is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage.
Do not let the reservoir in
the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
133

After washing your vehicle, apply
the brakes several times to dry
them.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road chippings may be
camouflaged with Ford exterior
lacquer touch-up paint,
AL81-XXXX-B or
ALBZ-19500-XXXXA. XXXX
indicates the code, meeting Ford
specification ESR-M2P100-C.
Follow the application instructions
on the product. Be sure to remove
aggressive particles such as bird
droppings, tree resins, insect
remains, tar spots, and road salt,
that may damage your paint.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent used to clean the body
of your vehicle. Do not use acid
based wool cleaners, steel wool,
fuel, or strong detergents. Never
use abrasives that will damage the
finish of special wheel surfaces.
Use a tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
Cleaning plastic parts
Some of the vehicle's trim parts
are plastic. Clean with a tar and
road oil remover if necessary. Use
a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with
thinners, solvents, or petroleum
based cleaners.
Maintenance and care
176

Aiming headlamps ....................173
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................62
description ...........................62,63
disposal ......................................63
driver air bag ............................64
indicator light ........................7,64
operation ...................................63
tone generator ..........................64
wearing safety belts .................64
Air cleaner filter .......................145
replacing ..................................146
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................19
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ...93
noise ..........................................93
see also Brake ...........................93
warning light .............................94
Anti-theft system ........................45
arming the system ....................50
description ................................50
disarming a triggered system ..52
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................51
warning light ...............................9
Automatic transaxle ...................96
driving with ...............................96
fluid, adding ............................141
fluid, checking ........................140
Battery .......................................142
servicing ..................................143
Brakes ..........................................93
anti-lock .....................................93
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...............................9
fluid, checking and adding ....133
power braking ...........................93
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................160
halogen ....................................161
headlamps ...............................162high-mount brakelamp ...........164
rear lamps ..........164,165,167,168
specifications ..........................172
Cargo area shade ........................41
Changing a tire .........................114
Charging system warning light ....9
Child safety seats
and air bags ............................185
Childproof locks ..........................33
Cleaning your vehicle ...............175
built-in child seat ...................178
engine compartment ..............177
exterior ....................................177
instrument panel ....................177
plastic parts ............................176
safety belts ..............................178
washing ....................................175
waxing .....................................175
wheels ......................................176
wiper blades ............................178
Climate control system ..............17
air conditioning .........................19
air distribution dial ...................19
temperature dial .......................18
Clutch
fluid ..........................................134
Controls ...................15,31,36,39,40
steering column ........................25
Daytime running light system ...26
Defects, reporting .....................186
Disabled vehicle (see Towing) 123
Driving under special
conditions
towing a trailer .......................105
Emergencies, roadside .............107
Emission control system ...157,158
Engine .................................129,182
check engine warning light .......7
Engine block heater ...................91
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............136
low coolant warning light ........10
Index
187

Lights, warning and indicator ......6
air bag .....................................7,64
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
checkcoolant .............................10
high beam ...................................9
liftgate ajar ................................10
low fuel ........................................7
oil pressure .................................9
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon ....................7
turn signal indicator ...................9
upshift indicator .........................8
Load limits .................................101
GVWR ......................................101
trailer towing ..........................102
Lubricant specifications ...........180
Luggage rack .............................106
Manual transaxle .........................99
driving .......................................99
fluid, checking and adding ....134
shifting gears ..........................100
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......16
Motorcraft parts ........................179
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration ...............186
Parking brake ..............................94
automatic release .....................38
operation ...................................94
warning light ...............................8
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) ...179
Power door locks ........................31
Power features
door locks ..................................31
windows ....................................34
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....139
Rear window
defroster ....................................24washer .......................................30
wiper ..........................................30
Refill capacities for fluids ........179
Relays ........................................109
Remote control ...........................45
Remote entry system .................45
illuminated entry ......................49
locking/unlocking doors ......46,47
opening the trunk .....................47
panic alarm ...............................49
Repairing paint chips ...............176
Reporting safety defects ..........186
Restraints, safety(see Safety
restraints) ....................................55
head ...........................................54
infant .........................................67
Roadside emergencies ..............107
Safety chains, when towing a
trailer .........................................104
Safety defects, reporting ..........186
Safety restraints ..........................55
adjusting the safety belts .........59
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................57
for children ...............................65
lap and shoulder belts ........56,59
maintenance ..............................60
proper use ............................55,56
vehicle sensitive locking
mode ..........................................57
warning light and chime ..8,10,62
Safety seats for children ............67
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................81
built-in child seat .....................74
in front seat ..............................68
in rear seat ................................70
tether anchorage hardware .....71
Seats ............................................53
adjusting the seat, manual .......53
child safety seats ......................67
folding rear seats ......................54
Index
189

head restraints ..........................54
split-folding rear seat ...............54
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing ...124
servicing when you tow .........105
Special driving conditions ..........89
Specification chart, lubricants .180
Speed control ..............................27
Starting your vehicle ..................88
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................86
starting a cold engine ..............89
starting a warm engine ............89
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................29
Tail lamps
bulb replacement .............167,168
Tilt steering wheel ......................29
Tire types ..................................152
Tires ...........................................148
changing ..................................114
checking the pressure ............150
replacing ..................................151
rotating ....................................151
snow tires and chains ............152
tire grades ...............................148
treadwear ................................148
Trailer towing ............................102
safety chains ...........................104
tips ...........................................105
trailer brakes ...........................104
trailer lamps ............................104
Transaxle .....................................96
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................139
Turn signal
indicator lights ............................9
Upshift indicator light ...........8,100
Upshift speeds ..........................100
Vehicle dimensions ...................182
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................173Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................185
Ventilating your vehicle (see
Climate control) ................18,19,23
Warning chimes ...........................10
headlamps on ............................11
key in ignition ...........................11
safety belt .................................10
Washer fluid ..............................134
reservoir ..................................135
windshield .................................30
Windows
one-touch down ........................35
power windows, operating .......34
Windshield
washing ......................................30
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....134
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................146
liftgate reservoir .....................135
operation ...................................30
Wrecker towing .........................123
Index
190