FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G Owners Manual

2. Hold down the brake pedal.
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Turn the ignition key to 4
(START), then let the engine idle
for a few seconds.
5. Release the brake pedal, then
slowly release the clutch pedal
while pressing down slowly on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the clutch pedal and do not use
the clutch pedal to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while waiting
on a hill. These actions will
seriously reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following
charts for best fuel economy:
Coupe
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
1-2 21 km/h (13 mph)
2-3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3-4 53 km/h (33 mph)
4-5 70 km/h (44 mph)
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Sedan/Wagon
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2-3 32 km/h (20 mph)
3-4 46 km/h (29 mph)
4-5 61 km/h (38 mph)
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into
the neutral position.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
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4. Turn engine off and remove the
key.
Do not park your vehicle
in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and
set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a
complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may
damage the transaxle.
Put the gearshift into the neutral
position and wait at least three
seconds before shifting into R
(Reverse).
You can shift into R (Reverse) only
by moving the gearshift from left
of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears
before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is a special lockout feature
which prevents you from shifting
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into R (Reverse) when you
downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
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.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting 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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R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
You should always come to a
complete stop before shifting in
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in the N
(Neutral) position, the vehicle can
be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
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(Overdrive)
The overdrive position is the
normal driving position for an
automatic overdrive transaxle. It
works the same way as D (Drive)
but shifts to a fourth gear-an
overdrive gear-when your vehicle
cruises at a constant speed for any
length of time. This fourth gear
will increase your fuel economy
when you travel at cruising speeds
Overdrive may not be appropriate
for certain terrains. If the transaxle
shifts back and forth between third
and fourth gears while you are
driving hilly roads or if your
vehicle requires additional power
for climbing hills, shift into D
(Drive).
D (Drive)
D (Drive) eliminates the needless
shifting between third and fourth
gears that your vehicle may do
when driving in hilly terrain. It also
gives more engine braking than
overdrive to slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
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L (Low)
Use L (Low) when added engine
braking is desired or when
descending steep hills.
The automatic transaxle will shift
into the proper gear to ascend any
grade without any need to shift to
L (Low).
Do not go faster than 61 km/h
(38 mph) when in this gear. You
can upshift from L (Low) to
(overdrive) at any time.
When parking, do not use
the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set
the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in Park (P).
Turn off the ignition whenever
you leave your vehicle. Never
leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not
take these precautions, your
vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms:
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²Base Curb Weight: Weight of
the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids,
lubricants, etc. It does not
include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload: Combined maximum
allowable weight of cargo,
passengers and optional
equipment. The payload equals
the gross vehicle weight rating
minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):
Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit
or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating): Maximum total weight
of the base vehicle, passengers,
optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each
vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the
driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating): Carrying capacity for
each axle system. The GAWR is
specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating): Maximum
combined weight of towing
vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) and the trailer. The
GCWR indicates the maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
allowed to tow.
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²Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating: Maximum weight of a
trailer the vehicle is permitted
to tow. The maximum trailer
weight rating equals the vehicle
curb weight for each
engine/transmission
combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing
and the weight of the driver
from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:
maximum weight of a trailer the
loaded vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) is
permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the
weight of the loaded trailer
towing vehicle from the GCWR
for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:
Specified weight range that the
trailer must fall within that
ranges from zero to the
maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
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a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer up to 454 kg (1 000 lbs.)
gross trailer weight with a
maximum tongue load of 45 kg
(100 lbs.). Do not tow a trailer
until your vehicle has been driven
at least 800 km (500 miles).
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after towing.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transaxle 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.
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