FORD ESCORT 1999 6.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
Push the button on the end of the
parking brake and push the handle
down as far as possible to release
the brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Manual transaxle (if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle have a starter interrupt
interlock that prevents cranking of the engine unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle, you must:
1. Put the gearshift in the neutral
position.
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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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)
Coupe
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)
Sedan/Wagon
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 22 km/h (14 mph)
2-3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3-4 55 km/h (34 mph)
4-5 70 km/h (44 mph)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Sedan/Wagon
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
1-2 19 km/h (12 mph)
2-3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3-4 46 km/h (29 mph)
4-5 61 km/h (38 mph)
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 into R
(Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Automatic transaxle (if equipped)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed. If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1. Continue depressing the brake
pedal, and remove the shift-lock
override cap with a 2.5 cm (1 inch)
or longer screwdriver.
2. Insert the screwdriver into the
shift-lock override opening and push
down.
3. Push and hold the thumb button.
4. Move the gearshift.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
is possible that a fuse has blown and
the vehicle's brakelamps may not be
operating properly. Refer toFuses
and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transaxle and tires may be damaged or the engine may overheat.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Understanding gearshift positions
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another 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.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.P
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine (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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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:
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.
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