FORD ESCORT 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or serious personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake systemdirectly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking systemof the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your trailer
lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer
rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.
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Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transaxle cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transaxle damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km(50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
TOWING BEHIND ANOT HER VEHICLE
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, it cannot be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground; front wheel dollies must be used.
If your vehicle has an manual transaxle, your vehicle can be flat-towed
with all wheels on the ground.
Driving
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GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
programis separate fromthe New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000
km(36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km(50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km(35 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
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Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1–800–665–2006.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call
1–800–665–2006.
ROADSIDE COVERAGE BEYOND BASIC WARRANTY
In the United States, you may purchase additional roadside assistance
coverage beyond this period through the Ford Auto Club by contacting
your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Similarly in Canada, for uninterrupted Roadside Assistance coverage, you
may purchase extended coverage prior to your Basic Warranty’s Roadside
Assistance expiring. For more information and enrollment, contact
1–877–294–2582 or visit our website at www.ford.ca.
HAZARD FLASHER
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The hazard flashers can be operated when the
ignition is off.
•Slide the hazard flasher control to
the right to activate the hazard
flashers simultaneously.
•Slide the control to the left to
turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
FUEL
RESET
The fuel pump shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the electric
fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated.
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The fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the driver’s foot well,
behind the kick panel.
Use the following procedure to reset the fuel pump shut-off switch.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel systemfor leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in on the reset button.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a few seconds and
return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
15
Roadside Emergencies
105

Note:Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
Standard fuse amperage rating and color
COLOR
Fuse
ratingMini
fusesStandard
fusesMaxi
fusesCartridge
maxi
fusesFuse link
cartridge
2A Grey Grey — — —
3A Violet Violet — — —
4A Pink Pink — — —
5A Tan Tan — — —
7.5A Brown Brown — — —
10A Red Red — — —
15A Blue Blue — — —
20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue
25A Natural Natural — — —
30A Green Green Green Pink Pink
40A — — Orange Green Green
50A — — Red Red Red
60A — — Blue — Yellow
70A — — Tan — Brown
80A — — Natural — Black
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Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
DRL 10A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
HAZARD 15A Hazard flasher
ROOM 10A Engine controls, RAP system,
Radio, Shift lock, Courtesy lamps,
Starting system, Warning chime,
Instrument cluster
ENGINE 15A Electronic automatic transaxle,
Ignition system, Constant control
relay module (PCM relay)
RADIO 5A Power mirrors, Radio, RAP system
DOOR LOCK 30A Power door locks
HORN 15A Horn, Shift lock
AIR COND 15A A/C-heater, ABS
METER 10A Backup lamps, Engine coolant
level switch, Instrument cluster,
Rear window defrost, Shift lock,
Warning chime, Turn signal switch
(DRL) (DOOR LK)
STOP
HAZARD HORN
TAIL
ROOM(AIR COND) (SUN ROOF)
ENGINE METER(ASC)
RADIO
WIPER
–P. Window (C.B.)
(FOG) CIGAR
(AUDIO)
AIR BAGFUEL INJ
HEATER
–
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
WIPER 20A Wiper/Washer, Blower motor relay
STOP 20A Stop lamps, Brake pressure switch
TAIL 15A Exterior lamps, Instrument
illumination
SUN ROOF 15A Power moonroof
ASC 10A Speed control
P. WINDOW 30A CB Power windows
CIGAR 20A Cigar lighter
AIR BAG 10A Air bags
FOG 10A Fog lamps, DRL
AUDIO 15A Premium sound amplifier, CD
changer
FUEL INJ. 10A H02S, Evaporative emission purge
flow sensor
BLOWER 30A CB Blower motor relay
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Always replace the cover to the power distribution box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid reservoirs
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
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The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
FUEL INJ. 30A* Air bags, Constant control relay
module (PCM relay), Generator
DEFOG 30A* Rear window defrost
MAIN 100A* Overall circuit protection
BTN 40A* Hazard, Stop, Door lock, Tail,
Roomand Horn fuses of the I/P
fuse panel
ABS 60A* Anti-lock Brake System(ABS)
main relay
COOLING FAN 40A* Constant control relay module
(cooling fan)
OBD-II 10A* Data Link Connector (DLC),
Instrument cluster
FUEL PUMP 20A** Constant control relay module
(fuel pump)
HEAD RH 10A** Headlamps
HEAD LH 10A** Headlamps
* Fuse Link Cartridge **Fuse
USE THE DESIGNATED FUSES ONLY
FUEL INJ
30A
DEFOG
30A
MAIN
100A
COOLING FAN
40A (ABS)
60A BTN
40A
HEADLAMP
RELAY
FUEL PUMP 20AOBD-II 10A
HEAD RH 10A HEAD LH 10A
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Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller
than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace the
temporary spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
•use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
•exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
•load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•tow a trailer
•use tire chains
•drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle’s reduced
ground clearance
•try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
•use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
•handling, stability and braking performance
•comfort and noise
•ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter driving capability
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