maintenance FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G User Guide

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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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
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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
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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
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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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3. Lift the hood and secure it with
the prop rod.
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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
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2.0L DOHC Zetec engine
1. Transmission fluid dipstick
(automatic transaxle only)
2. Battery
3. Air filter assembly
4. Engine oil fill cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
9. Brake fluid reservoir
98712
3
4
65
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ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (automatic transaxle)
or 1st (manual transaxle).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil indicator (dipstick).
²2.0L SOHC engine
ADDFULL
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²2.0L DOHC Zetec engine
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert
the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the
ADD and FULL marks, the oil
level is acceptable.DO NOT
ADD OIL.
²If the oil level is below the ADD
mark, add enough oil to raise
the level within the ADD-FULL
range.
²Oil levels above the F in FULL
may cause engine damage. Some
oil must be removed from the
engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
FULL ADD
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