tow FORD ESCORT 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 58
Seating 58
Safety restraints 60
Air bags 69
Child restraints 73
Driving 84
Starting 84
Brakes 88
Transmission operation 91
Vehicle loading 99
Trailer towing 100
Roadside Emergencies 103
Getting roadside assistance 103
Hazard flasher switch 104
Fuel pump shut-off switch 104
Fuses and relays 105
Changing tires 110
Jump starting 114
Wrecker towing 119
Customer Assistance 120
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 129
Cleaning 130
Table of Contents
2

Fuel pump shut-off switchIn the event of an accident the
safety switch will automatically cut off the fuel supply to the
engine. The switch can also be activated through sudden vibration (e.g.
collision when parking). To reset the switch, refer to theFuel pump
shut-off switchin theRoadside emergencieschapter.
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
Introduction
5

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust
themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 800 km(500 miles) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand kilometers (miles) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and carechapter for more information on oil usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 7.3L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner’s
Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionAir bagin theSeating and safety
restraintschapter. Failure to follow the specific warnings and
instructions could result in personal injury.
Front seat mounted rear facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe used in front of a passenger side air bag unless the
air bag can be and is turned OFF.
Introduction
6

RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can effect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel froman FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
Entertainment Systems
26

•Do not put objects under the front seat which may interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the
bottomof the windshield and underneath the hood).
•Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce visibility through your windshield. Avoid
placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These objects
may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in addition
to, damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select the position that distributes air through the Panel and Floor.
2. Set the temperature control to full heat.
3. Set the fan speed to full fan.
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows.
5. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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 15 minutes.
R.DEF
Climate Controls
32

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking
lamps, instrument panel lamps,
license plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
Rotate forward to activate.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
OFF
OFF OFF
OFF
Lights
33

Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel during headlamp
and parklamp operation.
•Rotate up to brighten.
•Rotate down to dim.
The dome lamp will not illuminate if the control switch is in the OFF
position.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
Your vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device (VHAD)
on each headlamp. Each headlamp may be properly aimed in the vertical
(up/down) and the horizontal (left/right) directions using your VHAD
system. The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the
assembly plant.
A bubble (vertical indicator) that is not centered between the two red
lines does not necessarily indicate out-of-aimheadlamps. If your vehicle
is not positioned on a level surface, the slope will be included in the
vertical indication. Therefore, vertical and horizontal headlamp
adjustment should be performed only when the beam direction appears
to be incorrect.
You will need one 4 mm wrench or socket to make the adjustments.
OFF
Lights
34

Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs
To remove the brakelamp bulb:
1. Push the center of the push pins
in to release tension.
2. Pull the push pins out of the
cover and slide the cover away from
the package tray.
3. Remove the bulb by rotating it
counterclockwise and pulling it out
of the lamp assembly.
4. Carefully pull out the bulb
straight out of the socket and push
in new bulb.
To install the brakelamp bulb:
1. Install the bulb into the lamp assembly and rotate clockwise.
2. Install the push pins in the cover far enough that the pins protrude
outside of the cover about 6 mm (1/4 inch).
3. Install the cover and secure with the push pins.
Tail lamp/turn signal/backup lamp bulbs
The tail/turn signal lamp and backup
lamp bulbs are located in the same
portion of the tail lamp assembly,
one just below the other. Follow the
same steps to replace either bulb.
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then open
trunk to expose the tail lamp assembly screws. Remove the two screws
fromthe front of the lamp.
2. The tail lamp has hidden fasteners which can be disengaged by hitting
the lamp, with the side of your hand, toward the side of the vehicle.
3. Pull lamp assembly away from vehicle for access to bulbs.
Lights
41

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:
•For intermittent wiping, move the
control down one position and
rotate the wiper switch to the
desired position.
•For low speed wiping, move the
control down two positions.
•For high speed wiping, move the
control down three positions.
Windshield washer:
•For mist wiping, move the control
up one position.
•To spray the washer fluid, pull
the wiper control toward you.
MIST
OFF
INT
1
2
F
S
PULL
INT
MIST
OFF
INT
1
2
F
S
PULL
INT
Driver Controls
43

Changing the wiper blades
1. Pull the wiper armaway fromthe
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
fromthe wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
fromthe arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper armand press it into place
until a click is heard.
3. Replace wiper blades every 6
months for optimum performance.
TILT STEERING (IF EQUIPPED)
Pull the tilt steering control down to
move the steering wheel up or
down. Hold the control while
adjusting the wheel to the desired
position, then push the control back
up to lock the steering wheel in
position.
Never adjust the steering
wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
POWER WINDOWS (IF EQUIPPED)
When closing the power
windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and
ensure that children and/or pets
are not in the proximity of the
window openings.
Driver Controls
44