engine FORD ESCORT 1997 7.G User Guide

PREPARING TO START THE
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
²Make sure the parking brake
is set.
OFF
Starting
86

4. Turn the key to the ON position
(without turning the key to
START). Make sure the following
lights illuminate briefly. If a light
fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING THE VEHICLE
After completing the steps under
Preparing to start the vehicle:
1. Turn the key to START and
release.Do notpress the
accelerator.
²The key will return to the ON
position.
2. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
ON
II
ACC
I
LOCK
0
START
III
MP
km/10 203040520 4060
80
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
LOW
FUELABS
0
80
90
10 0
12 011 012 0
16 0
18 0 140
200
CHECK
COOLANTTHEFT
ON
II
ACC
I
LOCK
0
START
III
Starting
88

Special conditions when
starting
Starting a cold engine
At temperatures -12ÉC (10ÉF) and
below, do not hold the key in the
START position longer than 15
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately ten
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
At temperatures above -12ÉC
(10ÉF), do not hold the key in the
START position longer than five
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately five
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting a warm engine
Do not hold the key in the START
position longer than five seconds.
If the engine does not start on the
first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait a few seconds until the
starter stops.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting the engine after two
failed attempts
If the engine does not start after
two attempts:
1. Turn the key to LOCK and wait
about two minutes.
Starting
89

2. Press the accelerator all the way
to the floor and hold.
3. Turn the key to START. Release
it once the engine starts.
4. Release the accelerator
gradually as the engine speeds up.
If the engine still does not start,
refer toFuel pump shut-off
switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
Engine block heaters are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures
consistently reach -29ÉC (-20ÉF) or
below during the winter months.
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster, and allows the
heater-defrost system to respond
quickly.
If your vehicle is equipped with an
engine block heater, use it
whenever the temperature is -23ÉC
(-10ÉF) or below.
To turn the heater on, plug it into
a grounded 110-volt outlet. It is
recommended that you use a
110-volt circuit that is protected
by a Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before you
start your vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can
Starting
90

If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 in).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
*If equipped with air conditioning
OFF
HI LO*A/C*MAX
A/C
HI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/C
TUNE
DISCS

SEEK
TUNE
SCAN
EJ REW FF
BAL BASSTREBFADE TAPE
CD AM
FM
–+1
SIDE 1-22
345
COMP1
SIDE 1-2VOL–
PUSH ON
MIRRORS
0000000002030405060
70
80
90
10 0
11 020 40608010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
13RPM x 1000
RSM
SET
ACC
CST OFF ONOFFPULL2INT
1 OFF MIST
R L
Starting
92

TRANSAXLES
Automatic
The normal driving position for the
automatic transaxle is the
Dposition.
To move the automatic transaxle
gearshift:
P Ð Park
R Ð Reverse
N Ð Neutral
DÐ Overdrive: the normal
driving position for best fuel
economy
D Ð Drive: more engine braking
than
D
L Ð Low: more engine braking
than D at speeds up to 60 km/h
(38 mph)
HI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/CTUNE
DISCS

SEEK
TUNE
SCAN
EJ REW FF
BAL BASSTREBFADE TAPE
CD AM
FM
–+1
SIDE 1-22
345
COMP1
SIDE 1-2VOL–
PUSH ONLMIRRORR0000000002030405060
70
80
90
10 0
11 020 40608010 0
12 0
16 0
18 0 140FUEL FILLCHEF1/22
13RPM x 1000RESET
SET
ACC
SET XXXX XXXOFF2INT
1 OFF MIST
P
R
N
D
D
L
Driving
96

Upshifting
For normal acceleration:
Upshift from... At the following speed:
1 to 2 22 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3 to 4 58 km/h (36 mph)
4 to 5 72 km/h (45 mph)
For cruising:
Upshift from... At the following speed:
1 to 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 to 3 35 km/h (22 mph)
3 to 4 51 km/h (32 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Upshift light (if equipped)
Thelight in the instrument
cluster illuminates to indicate
when to shift for the best fuel
economy. The vehicle will not be
harmed if the transaxle is not
shifted when the light illuminates,
but the vehicle will use more fuel.
The
light can be ignored when
you are:
²downshifting
²driving on steep hills
²using the engine to brake the
vehicle
²seeking more power for a
difficult acceleration
To maximize gearshift
performance:
Driving
100

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

Driving while towing a trailer
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
very long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transaxle:
²use D or L rather than
Dwhile towing up or down
steep hills.
²anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
If driving with a manual transaxle:
²select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.
²avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. In first or
second gear the trailer may be
too big or too heavily loaded for
the vehicle drivetrain.
²shift to a lower gear while
towing up or down steep hills.
²anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle requires
more frequent service than a
vehicle not used for towing. Refer
to theService Guidefor more
information.
Driving
105

Towing behind a recreational
vehicle (RV)
Do not tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as an RV,
unless front wheel dollies are used.
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
²driving with the brake pedal
depressed
²sudden stops
²extended engine idling
²use of speed control in hilly
terrain
²extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear
window defroster and other
accessories
²underinflated tires
²heavy loads
²aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
Driving
106