wiper blades FORD ESCORT 1997 7.G Owners Manual

CHECKING AND ADDING
MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH
FLUID
The brake fluid reservoir and
clutch master cylinder are part of
the same unit; both are refillable
through the brake fluid reservoir
with brake fluid. During normal
operation, the fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir will rise
slowly. For more information on
brake fluid maintenance, refer to
Checking and adding brake fluid
in this chapter.
CHECKING AND ADDING
WASHER FLUID
What you should know about
washer fluid
In freezing weather (temperatures
below 0ÉC [32ÉF], washer fluid
containing a small amount of
antifreeze is used. State or local
regulations on volatile organic
compounds may restrict the use of
methanol, a common type of
antifreeze. Use a non-methanol
antifreeze in freezing weather only
if the fluid does not damage the
paint finish, wiper blades, or
washer system.
Washer fluid contains
methanol and is poisonous.
Follow all instructions on the
bottle of washer fluid.
Maintenance and care
134

Changing your air filter
1. Unlock the clamp that holds the
engine air cleaner assembly in
place by releasing the clamp
locking clip on the front portion of
the assembly.
²The clamp will spring open and
remain attached to the left side
of the assembly.
2. Swing the left side of the
assembly open.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the open end of the engine
air cleaner assembly and replace it
with a new element.
²When replacing the element, be
sure to align the nubs on both
the air cleaner element and the
open end of the air cleaner
assembly. If these nubs are not
aligned, the new element will
not fit properly within the
assembly and the assembly may
malfunction.
4. Swing the left side of the
assembly closed and secure the
locking clamp.
CHECKING AND CHANGING
YOUR WIPER BLADES
Check the windshield wiper blades
at least twice a year; also check
them whenever the wipers seem
less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and
some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes can reduce
the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Maintenance and care
146

To make reaching the wiper blades
easy, simply turn the ignition to
the ON position and turn the
wipers on. Wait for them to reach
a vertical position and turn the
ignition to LOCK. Do not move the
wipers manually across the
windshield, this may cause damage
to the wipers.
Inspect the wiper arm pivots on a
regular basis to ensure that the
wiper arms move freely. Lubricate
the pivot points as necessary.
Replacing wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not work
properly after cleaning,
replacement of the blade assembly
or the blade element may be
necessary.
There are three different lengths
of wiper blades on your vehicle.
The driver side wiper blade is 51
cm (20 in) long, and the passenger
side wiper blade is 44.5 cm (17.5
in) long, and the rear window
wiper is 35 cm (13.75 in) long.
Ensure that you install the correct
length wiper blade in the correct
location.
To replace the wiper blades:
Maintenance and care
147

Cleaning the wiper blades
If the blades do not wipe properly,
clean both the windshield and the
wiper blades using undiluted
windshield washer solution or a
mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly
with clean water. Do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean the wiper blades;
these fluids will damage the
blades.
Cleaning the built-in child seat
Clean the built in child seat with
mild soap and water. Do not use
household cleaning products
because they may weaken the
safety belt webbing or damage the
vinyl parts of the seat.
The child seat liner is removable
and may be machine washed and
air dried.
Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do
not bleach or dye the belts; this
may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system
periodically to ensure there are no
nicks, wear, or cuts. If the vehicle
has been involved in an accident,
have all the safety belts and child
seat anchoring brackets (if
equipped) examined by a qualified
technician.
Maintenance and care
178

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

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