FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G Owners Manual

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle
towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance
center. It is recommended that
your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift or flatbed equipment.
When calling for a tow truck, tell
the operator what kind of vehicle
you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual
for proper hook-up and towing
procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
121

TOWING BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE
Do not tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as an RV,
unless front wheel dollies are used.
Your vehicle cannot be flat towed
with all wheels on the ground.
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122

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº
which makes tracking routine
service easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
ªWarranty Guideº to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²When the engine is running,
avoid wearing loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair that could
get caught up in moving parts.
Maintenance and care
123

²Do not work on a vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed space, unless you are
sure you have enough
ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all
fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake and
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124

ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake,
P
RNDDL
Maintenance and care
125

depress the clutch and place the
gearshift in 1 (First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
²Automatic transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake and
1
24R3
5
Maintenance and care
126

ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
²Manual transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake,
P
RNDDL
Maintenance and care
127

depress the clutch and place the
gearshift in N (Neutral).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and release the auxiliary latch that
is located under the front center of
the hood.
1
24R35
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128

3. Lift the hood and secure it with
the prop rod.
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129

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.0L SOHC engine
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Transmission fluid dipstick
(automatic transaxle only)
4. Battery
5. Air filter assembly
6. Engine oil fill cap
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
91234
8756
Maintenance and care
130