air condition FORD ESCORT 1998 7.G Owners Manual

additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight
remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Instrumentation
9

Manual heating and air
conditioning system
(if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the
airflow to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor
will operate in all modes except
and. However, the air
conditioning will only function if
the outside temperature is about
10ÉC (50ÉF) or above.
Since the air conditioner removes
considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if
clear water drips on the ground
under the air conditioner drain
while the system is working and
HI
LOOFFA/C
MAX
A/C
HI
LO
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
Controls and features
21

even after you have stopped the
vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your
vehicle's climate control system
should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the
vehicle is parked. This allows the
vehicle to ªbreatheº through the
outside air inlet duct.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air
to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more
economical and will cool the
inside of the vehicle faster.
Airflow will be from the
instrument panel registers. This
mode can also be used to
prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the
vehicle. It is quieter than MAX
A/C but not as economical.
Airflow will be from the
instrument panel registers.
²
(Vent)-Distributes outside
air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will
not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and
the fan will not operate. For
short periods of time only, use
this mode to prevent
undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle.
²
(Panel and
floor)-Distributes outside air
Controls and features
22

through the instrument panel
registers and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this
mode. For added customer
comfort, when the temperature
control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air
distributed through the floor
ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers.
²
(Floor)-Allows for maximum
heating by distributing outside
air through the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be
cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and
defrost)-Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this
mode. For added customer
comfort, when the temperature
control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air
distributed through the floor
ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers. If
the temperature is about 10ÉC
(50ÉF) or higher, the air
conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
Controls and features
23

²-Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice
or fog from the windshield. If
the temperature is about 10ÉC
(50ÉF) or higher, the air
conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, select
before driving. This will
prevent your windshield from
fogging. After a few minutes,
select any desired position.
²To prevent humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, don't drive
with the climate control system
in the OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the
front seat that will interfere with
the airflow to the back seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If your vehicle has been parked
with the windows closed during
hot weather, the air conditioner
will do a much faster job of
cooling if you drive for two or
three minutes with the windows
open. This will force most of the
hot, stale air out of the vehicle.
Controls and features
24

Then operate your air
conditioner as you would
normally.
²When placing objects on top of
your instrument panel, be
careful to not place them over
the defroster outlets. These
objects can block airflow and
reduce your ability to see
through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on
top of your instrument panel.
These objects can fall down into
the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage
your climate control system.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
Clears the rear window of thin ice
and fog. To operate:
1. Turn the ignition to the ON
position.
2. Press and release the control
once to turn on. The light will be
lit while the rear window defroster
is on.
3. Press and release the control
again to turn off.
The defroster will automatically
turn off after fifteen minutes.
R.DEF
Controls and features
25

equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is
noted.
Failure to replace the
safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result
in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and
maintaining the safety beltsin
theMaintenance and care
section.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
Seating and safety restraints
58

If the air bag is inflated,
the air bag will not
function again and must be
replaced immediately.Ifthe
air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing
sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which
connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system warning (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag back up power and the
air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
Seating and safety restraints
62

Important ventilating
information
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 (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
86

²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
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
²extended idle
Driving
103