power steering FORD ESCORT 1997 6.G Owners Manual

²The driver air bag in the middle
of the steering wheel and the
passenger air bag above the
glove compartment.
²The electrical system, made up
of impact sensors, a diagnostic
module, and a backup power
supply.
The air bags inflate within a
fraction of a second after air bag
sensors detect a severe frontal
collision. Gas generators within the
air bags fill the air bags with a
non-toxic, non-flammable gas.
After the vehicle occupants have
impacted the air bags, the gas
empties through holes in the air
bags and the air bags deflate. You
may notice smoke and smell the
escaping gas after the air bags
deflate. This is normal.
You and your passengermustwear
your safety belts in order for the
air bag system to operate
effectively.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND
WARNING CHIME
When you turn the ignition key to
the ON position, the air bag system
performs a self-check of the:
²air bag sensors
²air bag module
²air bag inflators
²available battery power
²air bag warning light
Following a successful system
self-check, the
warning light
Seating and safety restraints
64

specification terms found on the
label, refer toLoading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded trailer when figuring the
total weight.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limits of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transaxle/axle damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system (if
equipped ) if you are planning on:
²traveling farther than 80 km (50
miles).
²towing in hilly terrain.
²towing frequently.
Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
Driving
103

CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid at
least twice a year by completing
the following steps:
1. Start the engine.
2. When the engine coolant
temperature gauge reaches the
normal zone, turn off the engine.
3. Visually inspect the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir.
4. If necessary, add power steering
fluid until the fluid level reaches
MAX. Do not overfill the power
steering reservoir.
²As a maintenance precaution,
visually inspect the lines and
hoses of the power steering
system for leaks and damage.
²If new fluid is frequently
required, consult a qualified
service technician.
CHECKING AND ADDING
TRANSAXLE FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transaxle fluid
Check the automatic transaxle
fluid according to the owner
maintenance checks in theService
Guide.
ON
II
ACC
I
LOCK
0
START
III
C
H
Maintenance and care
139

Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine oil Motorcraft
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W-30 WSS-M2C153-F
Hinges and
latchesFord
Multi-Purpose
Grease Spray
(Aerosol)
F5AZ-19G209-AAESR-M1C159-A
and
ESB-M1C93A
Lock cylinders Penetrating
LubricantE8AZ-19A501-B N/A
Power steering
pumpPremium
Power Steering
FluidE6AZ-19582-AA ESW-M2C33-F
Automatic and
manual
transaxleMotorcraft
MERCONt
Multi-Purpose
(ATF)
Transmission
FluidXT-2-BDX,
-QDXMERCON
Wheel bearings,
rearMotorcraft
Premium
Long-Life
GreaseXG-1-C, -K ESA-M1C75-B
Windshield
washer fluid
reservoirUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC
or
C9AZ-19550-BCESR-M17P5-A
Capacities and specifications
181

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