wheel FORD ESCORT 2000 6.G Owner's Manual

²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
160

Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Cleaning non-painted plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Maintenance and care
171

²Never apply anything to the drive belt (including belt dressing).
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
Cleaning the instrument cluster lens
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the lens.
Cleaning seats equipped with side air bags
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions that come with
the cleaner. Do not saturate the seat cover with upholstery cleaner.
Maintenance and care
173

VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Coupe mm (in) Sedan mm (in)
(1) Overall length 4 451.0 (175.2) 4 432.3 (174.5)
(2) Overall width 1 712.0 (67.4) 1 681.0 (66.2)
(3) Overall height 1 328.4 (52.3) 1 351.0 (53.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2 499.0 (98.4) 2 499.0 (98.4)
(5) Track - Front 1 435.1 (56.5) 1 435.1 (56.5)
(5) Track - Rear 1 435.1 (56.5) 1 435.1 (56.5)
²Coupe and Sedan models
2
55
Capacities and specifications
178

Ford Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (not available in Canada)
Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner (Canada only)
Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil Remover* (not available in
Canada)
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner (Canada only)
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner (not available in Canada)
Ford Metal Surface Cleaner
Ford Multi-Purpose Cleaner*
Motorcraft Car Wash Concentrate
Motorcraft Carlite Glass Cleaner
Ford Spot and Stain Remover*
Ford Super Premium Tire and Trim Dressing
Ford Triple Clean
Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (not available in Canada)
* May be sold with the Motorcraft name
FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of Ford accessories are available for your vehicle
through your local authorized Ford, Lincoln Mercury or Ford of Canada
dealer. These quality accessories have been specifically engineered to
fulfill your automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement
the style and aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each
accessory is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds
Ford's rigid engineering and safety specifications. Ford accessories are
warranted for up to 12 months or 20 000 km (12 000 miles) on all cars
and light trucks and 12 months with unlimited distance on medium/heavy
duty trucks unless the accessory is installed on a new vehicle, then the
warranty becomes the balance of the new vehicle's warranty or the
accessories warranty, whichever is greater. See your dealer for complete
warranty information and availability.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Vehicle Security
Styled wheel protector locks
Vehicle security systems
Customer assistance
190

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................72
and child safety seats ..............74
description ................................72
disposal ......................................76
driver air bag ............................74
indicator light ......................10,76
operation ...................................74
passenger air bag .....................74
Air cleaner filter ................148,175
Air conditioning ..........................36
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................137
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ...........................89,90
Anti-theft system ...................57,58
arming the system ....................58
disarming
a triggered system ...............58,59
disarming an
untriggered system ...................58
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........18
Automatic transaxle ...................92
driving with ...............................94
fluid, adding ............................143
fluid, checking ........................143
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
fluid, specification ..................177
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........176
Battery .......................................146
acid, treating emergencies .....146
charging
system warning light ................11
jumping a disabled battery ....119
maintenance-free ....................146
replacement, specifications ...175
servicing ..................................146
Belt minder .................................68
Brakes ..........................................89
anti-lock ................................89,90anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................11,90
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....135
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
fluid, specifications ..........176,177
lubricant specifications ...176,177
parking ......................................90
shift interlock ............................92
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....175
Certification Label ....................180
Child safety restraints ................77
child safety belts ......................77
Child safety seats ........................78
attaching with tether straps ....82
in front seat ..............................79
in rear seat ................................79
Cleaning your vehicle ...............170
engine compartment ..............172
exterior .............................171,172
exterior lamps .........................172
instrument panel ....................173
instrument panel lens ............173
interior ..............................173,174
mirrors .....................................172
plastic parts ............................171
safety belts ..............................174
washing ....................................170
waxing .....................................171
wheels ......................................171
windows ..................................174
wiper blades ............................172
woodtone trim ........................174
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clock .......................................24,32
Clutch
fluid ..........................................136
operation while driving ............97
recommended shift speeds ......99
Index
194

Manual transaxle .........................97
fluid capacities ........................175
lubricant specifications ..........177
reverse .......................................99
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................172
side view mirrors (power) .......17
Moon roof ....................................49
Motorcraft parts .................158,175
Octane rating ............................156
Odometer .....................................14
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................132
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................55
Parking brake ..............................90
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....175
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................113
Power door locks ........................50
Power steering ............................91
fluid, checking and adding ....142
fluid, refill capacity ................175
fluid, specifications ..........176,177
Radio ............................................18
Relays .................................108,115
Remote entry system ............53,55
illuminated entry ......................57
locking/unlocking doors ...........54
opening the trunk .....................55
panic alarm ...............................55
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................56
replacing the batteries .............55
Roof rack ...................................104
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................12,63,64,65,66
Safety defects, reporting ..........193
Safety restraints ...........63,64,65,66
belt minder ...............................68
cleaning the safety belts ...71,174
extension assembly ..................67
for adults .........................64,65,66for children ..........................76,77
lap belt ......................................66
warning light
and chime ...................10,12,67,68
Safety seats for children ............78
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............63
Seats ............................................60
child safety seats ......................78
cleaning ............................173,174
Servicing your vehicle ..............125
Spark plugs,
specifications ...............175,177,178
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................176,177
Speed control ..............................43
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle .............84,87
jump starting ..........................119
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................47
Tachometer .................................15
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................36
Tires ......................115,149,150,151
changing ...........................115,116
checking the pressure ............151
replacing ..................................152
rotating ....................................151
snow tires and chains ............152
tire grades ...............................150
treadwear ................................150
Towing .......................................151
wrecker ....................................124
Transaxle
automatic operation .................92
fluid, refill capacities ..............175
lubricant specifications ..........177
manual operation ......................97
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................143
Index
197