wheel FORD ESCORT 2003 7.G Owner's Manual

economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You 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.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
157

If the vehicle’s powertrain systemor its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics systemis reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics systemfor I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
160

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
normdue to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, fromhighest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Maintenance and Specifications
166

When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., “All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
•SAE Class S chains may be used on P185/65R14 tires.
•Do not use tire chains with 38 cm(15 inch) wheel/tire options. Using
chains on this size tire may cause damage to steering, suspension
and/or body components.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
168

ItemFord Part
Name or
EquivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A WSB-M8B16–A2
1DO NOT USE Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or
VC-3, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange in color) Refer
toAdding engine coolant,in this chapter.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.0L DOHC Zetecengine
Cubic inches 121
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Spark plug gap 1.22-1.32 mm (0.048-0.052 inch)
Ignition systemDIS
Compression ratio 9.6:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 4451.0 (175.2)
(2) Overall width 1712.0 (67.4)
(3) Overall height 1328.4 (52.3)
(4) Wheelbase 2499.0 (98.4)
(5) Track - Front 1435.1 (56.5)
(5) Track - Rear 1435.1 (56.5)
Maintenance and Specifications
172

FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of genuine 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 rigorous engineering and safety specifications. Ford
Motor Company will repair or replace any properly dealer-installed Ford
accessory found to be defective in factory-supplied materials or
workmanship during the warranty period, as well as any component
damaged by the defective accessory. The accessory will be warranted for
whichever provides you the greatest benefit:
•12 months or 20,000 km (12,000 miles) (whichever occurs first), or
•the remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty.
This means that genuine Ford accessories purchased along with your
new vehicle and installed by the dealer are covered for the full length of
your New Vehicle’s Limited Warranty — 3 years or 60,000 km (36,000
miles) (whichever occurs first). Contact your dealer for details and a
copy of the warranty.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Vehicle Security
Remote keyless entry
Wheel locks
Vehicle security systems
Comfort and convenience
Cargo net
Cargo organizer
Engine block heater
Remote start system
Smoker’s package
Accessories
176

A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................89
Air bag supplemental restraint
system..........................................69
and child safety seats ..............71
description ................................69
disposal ......................................73
driver air bag ............................71
indicator light ...........................73
operation ...................................71
passenger air bag .....................71
Air cleaner filter .......164–165, 169
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system.................29
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................146
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................89
Anti-theft system........................56
arming the system ....................56
disarming a triggered system ..57
disarming an untriggered
system.......................................57
Audio system(see Radio) .........19
Automatic transaxle
driving with ...............................93
fluid, adding ............................161
fluid, checking ........................161
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
fluid, specification ..................172
Automatic transmission ..............91
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........171
B
Battery .......................................144acid, treating emergencies .....144
jumping a disabled battery ....114
maintenance-free ....................144
replacement, specifications ...169
servicing ..................................144
BeltMinder ...................................65
Brakes ....................................88–89
anti-lock .....................................89
anti-lock brake system(ABS)
warning light .............................90
fluid, checking and adding ....160
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
fluid, specifications .........171–172
lubricant specifications ..171–172
parking ......................................90
shift interlock ............................91
Bulbs ............................................37
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....170
Cell phone use ............................49
Certification Label ....................174
Changing a tire .........................110
Child safety restraints ................74
child safety belts ......................74
Child safety seats ........................76
attaching with tether straps ....80
in front seat ..............................78
in rear seat ................................78
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............131
instrument panel ....................133
interior .....................................133
plastic parts ............................132
washing ....................................130
waxing .....................................130
wheels ......................................131
wiper blades ............................132
Index
179

Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................110
Spark plugs, specifications ......169,
172
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................171–172
Speed control ..............................45
Starting your vehicle ......84–85, 87
jump starting ..........................114
Steering wheel
controls ......................................44
tilting .........................................44
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................28
Tires ...........................110, 165–166
changing ..........................110–111
checking the pressure ............166
replacing ..................................167
rotating ....................................167
snow tires and chains ............168
tire grades ...............................166
treadwear ................................166
Towing .......................................100
trailer towing ..........................100
wrecker ....................................119
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............170
lubricant specifications ..........172
Transmission
automatic operation .................91fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................161
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................164
lubricant specifications ..........171
manual operation ......................97
Trunk ...........................................51
remote release ....................49, 54
Turn signal ..................................36
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................172
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................174
Vehicle loading ............................99
Ventilating your vehicle .............88
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................141
Water, Driving through ...............98
Windows
power .........................................44
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....141
operation ...................................43
replacing wiper blades .............44
Wrecker towing .........................119
Index
183