1997 Ford Escort Owners Manual

O F FM I S T I N T

RSM

SET ACC

CST

AM(cid:13) FM

SCAN

EJ

SEEK(cid:13)

TUNE(cid:13)

VOL(cid:13) PUSH ON

TAPE(cid:13)

REW

FF

BASS

TREB

–

BAL

FADE

1(cid:13)

SIDE 1-2

5(cid:13)

6(cid:13)

LO

HI

OFF

A/C

MAX(cid:13) A/C

Ignition LOCK locks the steering wheel and allows the key to be removed from the ignition. (Push the key in while turning to LOCK on vehicles with manual transaxles.) LOCK also locks automatic transaxle gearshifts.

ACC

ON II

III

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(cid:13) (cid:13) (cid:13) (cid:13) (cid:13) (cid:13) Controls and features

ACC allows operation of some accessories without starting the engine. ON allows testing of the vehicle’s warning lights. START cranks the engine. The key returns to the ON position after it is released. For more information on the vehicle ignition and starting the vehicle, refer to Preparing to start the vehicle in the Starting chapter.

Headlamp switch Rotate the headlamp switch to the desired position.

Headlamps on

Parking lamps, side marker

lamps, instrument panel lamps, license lamps, and tail lamps on OFF Lamps off

OFF

Daytimerunninglight(DRL) system(ifequipped) The DRL system turns on the high beam headlamps, with a reduced light output, when: † the vehicle is running † the vehicle has a fully released † the headlamp system is in the

parking brake

OFF position

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The daytime running light (DRL) system will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a collision.

Highbeamsandflash-to-pass Push for high beam headlamp operation. Pull and release quickly for “flash-to-pass” operation.

Foglamps (if equipped) Rotate the switch to turn the foglamps on and off.

Speed control (if equipped) Maintain vehicle speed at least 50
km/h (30 mph) to operate the speed control system.

Controls and features

OFF

OFF

OFF

1/2

FUEL FILL

50 60 70

40

80

100

120

60

30

20

40

20

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

80

90

140

100

160

180

110

OFF

XXX

XXXX

MIRROR

RPM x 1000

O F FM I S T I N T

RESET

SET(cid:13) ACC

SET

AM(cid:13) FM

SCAN

EJ

SEEK(cid:13) TUNE

TUNE(cid:13) DISCS(cid:13)

VOL–(cid:13) PUSH ON

TAPE(cid:13) CD

REW

FF

BASS

TREB

–

BAL

FADE

1(cid:13)

SIDE 1-2

5(cid:13)

1(cid:13)

COMP

SIDE 1-2

LO

HI

OFF

*A/C *MAX(cid:13) A/C

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(cid:13) 20

ON

OFF

20

40

20

160

180

100
110

RSM

SET ACC

SRS

CST

Controls and features

Press the ON portion of the ON / OFF button to turn on. Press the OFF portion of the ON / OFF button to turn off.

Press the RSM button to resume a set speed. Hold the SET ACC portion of the SET ACC / CST button to set the desired speed. Hold SET ACC to increase speed; tap to increase speed in 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments. Hold the CST portion of the SET ACC / CST button to decrease speed; tap to decrease speed; tap to decrease speed in 1.6 km/h (1
mph) increments.

Speed control can be canceled by pressing the brake pedal or clutch pedal (if equipped). Do not shift into N (automatic transaxle) or neutral (manual transaxle) with the speed control on. Use only Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved radio transmitting equipment in your vehicle to prevent speed control malfunctions.

28

Controls and features

Tilt steering (if equipped) Pull the lever down to adjust the steering column angle. Push the lever back up to lock the steering wheel in position.

Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving. You could lose control of the vehicle and injure someone.

Hazard flasher switch For information on the hazard flasher switch, refer to the Roadside emergencies chapter.

1/2

FUEL FILL

50 60 70

40

80

100

120

60

30

20

40

20

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

80

90

140

100

160

180

110

200

RPM x 1000

MIRROR

ON

OFF

RSM

SET ACC

CST

29

Controls and features

Windshield wipers and washer Wipers Rotate the windshield wiper switch to the desired interval position. Push up and release to wipe the windshield only once. Pull down to select the wipers on continuously.

Washer Pull toward you for windshield washer fluid operation.

Rear window wipers and washer (if equipped) Wipers For rear operation, rotate the rear window wiper and washer switch to the desired position. Select:

ON Rear wiper on OFF Rear wiper and washer off

Washer For rear window washer fluid operation, pull toward you. Select:

M I S T O F F I N T

MIST OFF INT

INT

PULL

INT

PULL

MIST OFF INT

ON OFF

INT

PULL

Rear washer on

Top Bottom and washer operation (for quick cleaning).

Brief rear wiper

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OVERHEAD CONTROLS

Overhead Lamps Move the overhead lamp switch to the desired position: OFF Overhead lamp off DOOR Overhead lamp illuminates when a door is opened ON Overhead lamp on Maplamps(ifequipped) Press to turn the map lamps on and off.

DOOR MOUNTED CONTROLS

Power door locks (if equipped) Push to lock or unlock the doors.

L All doors locked U All doors unlocked

Controls and features

OFF DOOR ON

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Controls and features † Driver side

† Front passenger side

LU

LOCK

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Controls and features

Childproof locks The rear doors can be set to prevent children from opening the doors from the inside. To set the rear childproof locks:

The childproof lock must be set separately for each door. Setting the lock on one door will not set the lock for both rear doors. To return the rear doors to normal operation, return the lever to the raised position.

Illuminated entry (if equipped) For more information on the illuminated entry system, refer to Illuminated entry under Remote entry system in this chapter.

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Controls and features

Power windows (if equipped) Driversidecontrols Press the appropriate window switch to operate the power windows.

† Driver window

† Front passenger window

† Left rear passenger window

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LOCK

LOCK

LOCK

LOCK

† Right rear passenger window

Controls and features

To prevent passengers from operating the power windows, press the lock button. Press again to unlock and allow the passengers to operate the power windows.

One-touchdownfeature To open the driver side window completely, press and release the lower portion of the driver side window switch. To stop the window while it is in motion, press the switch again. Passengercontrols Press the window switch to operate the power window at each door position.

LOCK

LOCK

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Controls and features † Front passenger side

† Rear passengers

CONSOLE CONTROLS

Gearshift For information about the gearshift on vehicles with automatic or manual transaxles, refer to the Transaxles section of the Driving chapter.

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† Automatic

† Manual

Controls and features

531

42

37

Controls and features

Parking brake For information on the parking brake, refer to Preparing to start the vehicle in the Driving chapter.

38

Controls and features

FLOOR CONTROLS

Floor mat hook (if equipped) Fasten the floor mat to the floor to prevent the mat from shifting.

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Controls and features

TRUNK/LIFTGATE CONTROLS

Compact disc changer (if equipped) For information on compact disc changer, refer to the Audio Guide.

Wagon liftgate lamp Press the switch to turn the liftgate lamp on or off.

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Controls and features

Wagon sliding shade Pull the shade to cover the cargo area.

Hook the shade into the notches in the rear trim panels.

Rewindingtheslidingshade If the shade is damaged or loses its spring tension from excessive use, manual rewind of the shade may be necessary. The following procedure is a two-person operation:

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Controls and features

1. Remove the shade from the mounting brackets by detaching the safety clip and pressure fit plastic knobs from either side of the shade. Extend the shade fully with the smooth grain facing you. 2. Wrap the vinyl around the tube twice by twisting the tube away from you. Tuck the edges of the vinyl inside the end cap with each wrap. 3. Fold the vinyl toward the center, making sure the edges clear the end cap slots. Use tape or a rubber band to hold the vinyl on the left side of the tube. 4. Push in the right end cap (marked R) about 6 mm (1/4 inch) to disengage the clutch and hold in while turning the tube toward you fourteen times. 5. Let go of the right end cap and unfold the vinyl. Place the vinyl into the end cap slots. 6. Place the shade back in the vehicle.

To avoid possible injury during a sudden stop or collision, the cover should be attached to the brackets when not in use.

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Controls and features

Fuel pump shut-off switch The fuel pump shut-off switch stops the fuel pump when the vehicle has been involved in a collision or substantial jolt. If the vehicle does not start, it is possible that the fuel pump shut-off switch needs to be reset.

If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing service.

The fuel pump shut-off switch is located in the rear passenger side of your vehicle. With the sedan model, a label marks its location. Press the button on the switch to reset the fuel pump: † Sedan

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Controls and features † Wagon

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REMOTE ENTRY AND ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM † Sedan

† Wagon

Controls and features

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

Remote entry system (if equipped) The remote entry system is available as a driver-door only or as an all-door system. The remote entry features only operate with the ignition in the OFF position. When the ignition is in ON or ACC, the system is disarmed. If the vehicle is left running and locked, the system will not allow reentry using the remote entry transmitter. The operating range of the remote entry system may be affected by weather conditions (such as very

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Controls and features

cold temperatures) or structures around the vehicle (buildings, other vehicles, radio and TV towers, etc.). Typical operating range will allow you to be up to 10
meters (33 ft) away from your vehicle. Unlockingthedoorsandwagon liftgate Driver-door only system † Press once to unlock the driver † Press again within five seconds to unlock the wagon liftgate (if equipped)

side door.

† Sedan

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

† Wagon

All-door system † Press once to unlock the driver

side door.

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† Press again within five seconds to unlock passenger doors and wagon liftgate (if equipped).

Openingthetrunk(ifequipped) Press once to open the trunk. † Sedan

Controls and features

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

driver’s door.

Lockingthedoors Driver-door only system † Press once to lock only the † Press again within five seconds to verify system has attempted to lock the door (horn will sound once and parking lamps will flash).

The remote opens and locks the driver’s door only, it will not activate the other three doors. A bright yellow key fob and ‘‘DRIVER’S DOOR ONLY’’ label are provided with your remote entry system. They provide an additional reminder that the remote entry system locks and unlocks only the driver’s door. If the other doors are unlocked, they will remain unlocked even after the system has locked the

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LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

Controls and features

driver’s door. The other doors must be locked manually. † Sedan

† Wagon

All-door system † Press once to lock all doors. † Press again within five seconds to verify doors are locked (horn will sound once and parking lamps will flash).

If a door is ajar, the horn will sound twice when the LOCK button is pressed a second time with the all-door system.

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Soundingapanicalarm Press once to sound an alarm (with either the driver-door only or all-door system). † Sedan

† Wagon

The parking lamps flash, the horn sounds, and the illuminated entry system turns on. Press a second time to turn off the alarm.

Illuminated entry Interior lamps illuminate when the UNLOCK button is pressed on the remote entry transmitter (if equipped). The illuminated entry function illuminates the interior overhead lamp for approximately 20 seconds, until the key is inserted into the ignition and turned to ON, or until the LOCK button is pressed on the remote entry transmitter. The interior overhead lamp must be set to the DOOR position in order for the

Controls and features

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

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Controls and features

illuminated entry system to activate.

anti-theft indicator light

Anti-theft system (if equipped) The anti-theft system protects against unauthorized entry into an armed and locked vehicle. When an unauthorized entry occurs, the system activates and: † flashes the parking lamps and † sounds the horn The horn and parking lamps shut off after approximately three minutes. The lights and horn will remain off unless another unauthorized entry is attempted. Armingthesystem The anti-theft system can be armed when: † the ignition is in the LOCK † the panic alarm is off † all doors are closed

position and the key is removed

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Press once to arm the anti-theft system. The THEFT light in the instrument cluster illuminates until the arming procedure is complete. After the arming procedure is complete, the THEFT light flashes.

Controls and features

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

Disarminganuntriggered system Press once to disarm the untriggered anti-theft system. If the driver armed the system but did not exit the vehicle, the system can also be disarmed by inserting the key and turning the ignition to ON. The system will not disarm by using the key in any door/trunk lock cylinder.

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

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LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

TRUNK

LOCK

PANIC

UNLOCK

Controls and features

Disarmingatriggeredsystem Press either the UNLOCK or PANIC button to disarm a triggered anti-theft system. A triggered system can also be disarmed by inserting the key and turning the ignition to ON. This device complies with Part 15
of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the two following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Replacement batteries for the remote entry and/or anti-theft system transmitters can be purchased at pharmacies, watch stores, or at authorized dealers. If a transmitter is lost, a new one may be programmed by your dealer. Take any remaining transmitters with you to the dealer so they may be reprogrammed. The system will work with up to four transmitters. Your vehicle comes equipped with two transmitters; additional transmitters can be ordered from your dealer. It will be necessary to have all of the transmitters programmed to the remote entry system by the dealer at the same time.

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Seating and safety restraints

FRONT SEATS Lift handle to slide the seat forward or backward

Lift to adjust the seatback

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Seating and safety restraints

Head restraints Push the release button to lower the head restraint To raise the head restraint, pull without pushing the release button.

REAR SEATS Stow the built-in child seat (if equipped) in order to fold the rear seatback down. Refer to Built-in child seat in this chapter for more information. Push the seatback back to a raised position and latch for normal seating. The full rear seat bench is shown. The split-folding rear seat (if equipped) operates in a similar manner. Press to unlock the seatback:

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Seating and safety restraints

SAFETY RESTRAINTS PRECAUTIONS The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your passengers in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada, the law requires the use of safety belts.

To reduce the risk of serious injury in a

collision, always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

Safety belts must be worn by all vehicle occupants to be properly restrained and help reduce the risk of injury in a collision.

To prevent the risk of injury make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained.

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.

Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts.

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Seating and safety restraints

Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a safety belt properly.

USING THE SAFETY RESTRAINTS PROPERLY

Combination lap and shoulder belts Insert the tongue into the slot to fasten.

Push the red release button and remove the tongue from the slot to unfasten.

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as

possible around the hips, not around the waist.

The outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder safety belts. The front and rear seat passenger outboard safety belts have the two types of locking modes.

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Seating and safety restraints

Vehiclesensitive(emergency) lockingmode The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, which locks the belts in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply, the combination safety belts will lock to restrain forward movement of the driver and passengers. The retractor can be made to lock by pulling sharply on the belt.

Automaticlockingmode In this mode, the occupant is locked in a certain position by the shoulder belt and the belt does not adjust tightness during vehicle movement. The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt. Whentousetheautomatic lockingmode † When a tight lap and shoulder † Any time a child safety seat is installed in the vehicle. For more information on the proper use of a child safety seat, refer to Children and infant or child safety seats later in this chapter.

belt fit is desired.

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Seating and safety restraints

Usingtheautomaticlocking mode The automatic locking mode must be used when installing an aftermarket child safety seat in any outboard passenger seat. 1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder belt portion and pull downward until the entire belt is extracted. 3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates that the safety belt is now in the automatic locking mode. Cancelingtheautomaticlocking mode Disconnect the combination lap and shoulder belt and allow it to completely retract. This will cancel the automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency locking) mode.

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Seating and safety restraints

Front seat safety belt height adjustment Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. † To lower the height of the

shoulder belt:

Push the button down. Slide down.

† To raise the height of the

shoulder belt:

Slide up. Pull down on the height adjustment assembly to make sure it is locked in place.

Lap belt A lap belt is located in the center of the rear seat. Adjustingthelapbelt Because the lap belt does not have a retractor to automatically adjust itself during vehicle movement, the lap belt should be adjusted before use. † To shorten the belt:

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Seating and safety restraints

Buckle the belt. Pull the loose end of the belt until snug.

† To lengthen the belt: Tip and pull the tongue. The lap belt must fit snugly and as low as possible around the hips. Do not wear the lap belt around your waist.

Safety belt maintenance Check the safety belt systems periodically for damage and to ensure that they work properly.

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Seating and safety restraints

The short plastic boot on the front safety belt at the passenger inboard buckle location covers an energy absorbing sew pattern on the safety belt. In the event of a collision, the sew pattern may release, and the orange portion of the warning label may become visible. If this occurs, the safety belt and buckle must be replaced.

Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

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Seating and safety restraints

Then . . . The safety belt indicator illuminates for one to two minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4-8 seconds. The safety belt indicator light and the warning chime turn off.

The safety belt indicator light and warning chime remain off.

SAFETY BELT INDICATOR LIGHT AND WARNING CHIME illuminates in the instrument

cluster and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

Conditions of operation If . . . The driver’s safety belt is not buckled before the ignition key is turned to ON...

The driver’s side safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding... The driver’s safety belt is buckled before the ignition key is turned to ON...

AIR BAG PRECAUTIONS Your vehicle is equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) designed to work with the safety belts to help protect you and your right front seat passenger in the event of a collision.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the

driver, should always wear their safety belts, even when an air bag SRS is provided.

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Seating and safety restraints

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag SRS or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

AIR BAG SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The air bags and their corresponding warning and information labels are found in the following locations: The air bag system activates in collisions more severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight) head-on at approximately 20 km/h (13 mph). This activation speed may vary if your vehicle is involved in a collision with something that will move or deform and according to the angle of impact. The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts. Air bags and air bag equipped vehicles should be disposed of only by qualified service personnel using Ford approved procedures. The system consists of two parts:

1/2

FUEL FILL

50 60 70

40

80

100

120

60

30

20

40

20

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

80

90

140

100

160

180

110

200

OFF

ON

OFF

MIRROR

RPM x 1000

O F FM I S T I N T

RSM

SET ACC

CST

AM(cid:13) FM

SCAN

EJ

SEEK(cid:13) TUNE

TUNE(cid:13) DISCS(cid:13)

VOL–(cid:13) PUSH ON

TAPE(cid:13) CD

REW

FF

BASS

TREB

–

BAL

FADE

1(cid:13)

SIDE 1-2

5(cid:13)

1(cid:13)

COMP

SIDE 1-2

LO

HI

OFF

*A/C *MAX(cid:13) A/C

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(cid:13) Seating and safety restraints † The driver air bag in the middle

of the steering wheel and the passenger air bag above the glove compartment.

† The electrical system, made up of impact sensors, a diagnostic module, and a backup power supply.

The air bags inflate within a fraction of a second after air bag sensors detect a severe frontal collision. Gas generators within the air bags fill the air bags with a non-toxic, non-flammable gas. After the vehicle occupants have impacted the air bags, the gas empties through holes in the air bags and the air bags deflate. You may notice smoke and smell the escaping gas after the air bags deflate. This is normal. You and your passenger must wear your safety belts in order for the air bag system to operate effectively.

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING CHIME When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, the air bag system performs a self-check of the: † air bag sensors † air bag module † air bag inflators † available battery power † air bag warning light Following a successful system self-check, the

warning light

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Seating and safety restraints

in the instrument cluster illuminates for approximately six seconds to indicate that the system is functional. If you hear a group of five beeps, or if the not illuminate, stays lit, or flashes, the air bag system requires immediate service. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

warning light does

CHILD RESTRAINT PRECAUTIONS You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the United States and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who are four years of age or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lb] or less), you must put them in safety seats made specially for children. Check your local and state laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of your children.

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap

while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision.

Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or child restraint you might use. If possible, place children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in rear seating positions than when

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Seating and safety restraints

they are restrained in front seating positions.

Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in

the front seat.

CHILDREN AND SAFETY BELTS Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by the manufacturer of your child safety seat) should always wear safety belts. Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that apply to adult passengers in your vehicle. If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help to provide a good shoulder belt fit. To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A

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Seating and safety restraints

belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child’s face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to dicuss the specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.

CHILDREN AND INFANT OR CHILD SAFETY SEATS

Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

buckle for that seating position.

When installing a child safety seat: † use the correct safety belt † make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. † keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button, to prevent accidental unbuckling.

† place seatbacks in the upright

position.

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Seating and safety restraints † put the safety belt in the

automatic locking mode. Refer to Using the automatic locking mode in this chapter.

Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt seating positions 1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt. If you choose to install a child safety seat in the front passenger seat, move the seat as far back as possible.

2. Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together.

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Seating and safety restraints

3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted.

4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it.

5. To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode, grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted. 6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.

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Seating and safety restraints

7. Pull the lap belt portion across the child seat toward the buckle and pull up on the shoulder belt while pushing down on the child seat to tighten the belt as much as possible. 8. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt. 9. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly tilt the seat from side to side and forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. 10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps two through nine. † Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.

Installing child safety seats in the rear center seating position 1. Tip the tongue and pull to lengthen the lap belt. 2. Place the child safety seat in the center seating position. 3. Route the lap belt through the child safety seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

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Seating and safety restraints

4. Insert the tongue into the proper buckle. 5. Push down on the child safety seat while pulling on the loose part of the lap belt webbing to tighten the belt. 6. Before placing the child in the child safety seat, forcibly tilt the seat from side to side and forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. If the child seat moves excessively, repeat steps five and six or properly install the child seat in a different seating position. Usingatetherstrap Contact the manufacturer of your safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap if one is not provided with the seat. The tether anchor hardware kit is part number 613D20. Your vehicle has tether anchor attachment locations on the rear package tray behind the back seat (sedan) or along the rear edge of the roof (wagon). Carefully follow the instructions provided with the kit.

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Seating and safety restraints

Tetheranchorhardware (Canadianvehiclesonly) All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with Canadian child safety seats. Attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the anchor hardware, if required. Additional kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Tetheranchorhardware(US vehiclesonly) Vehicles built for sale in the US do not include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. However, attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the anchor hardware, if required. Kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Only use the tether attachment hole locations shown. The tether anchor may not perform properly if the wrong mounting location is used.

Ford recommends using child safety seats with a top tether strap designed to secure an aftermarket child safety seat in the front or rear seating position. Follow the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions for installing a child safety seat with a tether strap.

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Seating and safety restraints

Ford recommends you attach tethered safety seats in a rear seating position with the tether strap attached to the tether anchoring bracket as shown in the instructions provided with the tether anchor kit. If a tethered seat must be installed in the front passenger seat: 1. Install the child safety seat in the front passenger seat. For instructions on how to install the seat, refer to Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt seating positions in this chapter. 2. Hook the tether strap clip to the tongue of the rear center lap belt and ensure that the belt is pulled tight. To install a child safety seat using a tether strap in the back seat: 1. Install the child safety seat in the rear right, left or center seat position. For instructions on how to install the seat, refer to Installing child safety seats in lap belt seating positions in this chapter. † Sedan

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Seating and safety restraints † Wagon 2. Refer to the instructions provided with the tether anchor kit. 3. Refer to the instructions provided with your child safety seat to securely attach the child safety seat by tether to the tether strap anchor location.

Failure to follow these precautions could increase

the risk and / or severity of injury in a collision.

BUILT-IN CHILD SEAT (IF EQUIPPED) The rear seat may include a built-in child seat. This child seat conforms to all federal and Canadian motor vehicle safety standards. Read the labels located on the child seat cushion and the shoulder belt for information on the built-in child seat. Use the built-in child seat only under the following conditions: At least one year old

10-27 kg (22-60 lb)

Children not meeting these requirements should be secured in an approved aftermarket child seat. Refer to Children and infant or child safety seats in this chapter.

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Shoulders must be below the shoulder harness slots on the built-in child seat

Seating and safety restraints

Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belt system of your child seat. If there is any damage to the system or if it is not functioning properly, see your dealer.

Placing your child in the built-in child seat

Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of

this child restraint system can result in your child striking the vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or crash.

Never use the built-in child seat as a booster cushion with the adult safety belts. A child using the adult belts could slide forward and out from under the safety belts.

The rear seatback must be fully locked before

operating the child restraint system.

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Seating and safety restraints

Ensure that the latch release buttons are in the full up (locked) position. When the latch release buttons are in full up (locked) position and the built-in child seat is open, the rear seatback cannot be unlocked or folded down.

1. Pull down the top portion of the child seat.

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Seating and safety restraints

2. Release the cushion retention clip.

3. Lower the child seat cushion. If the child seat cannot be opened, return it to the dealer for repair.

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Seating and safety restraints

4. Fold the end portion of the child seat under the child seat cushion.

5. Disconnect the chest clip, if connected. Squeeze together the release tabs on the top and bottom of the chest clip.

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Seating and safety restraints

6. Place the child in the seat and position the shoulder belts.

7. Insert the left safety belt tongue into the left side of the buckle. Repeat for the right side. Verify that the indicator window on each tongue is green to ensure proper safety belt connections.

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Seating and safety restraints

If both tongues do not latch in the buckle, do not

use the child seat. See your dealer for repairs.

8. Fasten the left and right chest clip halves together to hold the shoulder belts in place comfortably on the child’s shoulders. Verify that the indicator window on the chest clip is green to ensure a proper chest clip connection. † When either of the tongues or the chest clip is unbuckled, the red color appears in the window.

† The chest clip is designed to pull apart easily in the event of collision. The clip helps keep the belts on the shoulders of a squirming or sleeping child.

9. Pull on the safety belt tongues to ensure they are both securely latched. If they are not latched, repeat steps seven and eight. If necessary, the shoulder belts can be put in the automatic lock mode to limit the child’s movement in the child seat. The mode may be used if the child is sleeping or attempting to get out of the child seat. If not placed in an automatic locking mode, the child seat shoulder belts are in the vehicle sensitive (emergency locking) mode which locks the shoulder belt in the event of a crash, hard braking, or hard cornering.

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Seating and safety restraints

Activatingtheautomaticlocking modeonthebuilt-inchildseat 1. Fully pull out both shoulder belts. 2. Allow the belts to tighten snugly against the child’s shoulders. Cancelingtheautomaticlocking modeonthebuilt-inchildseat 1. Disconnect the chest clip. Press the buckle release button and remove both safety belt tongues from the buckle. 2. Slide both shoulder belts from the child’s shoulders and arm and allow them to retract fully.

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Seating and safety restraints

Removing your child from the built-in child seat 1. Disconnect the chest clip by squeezing the release tabs together and pulling the two sides apart.

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Seating and safety restraints

2. Press the release button on the buckle. 3. Slide the shoulder belts off the child’s shoulders and remove the child. 4. Return the child seat cushion to the stowed (upright) position. 5. Ensure the shoulder belts are in the center of the built-in child seatback and connect the cushion retention clip. 6. Fold the child seat into the seatback and tuck the top of the child seat under the rear seat flap. 7. Press firmly on the center of the built-in child seat to ensure it is stowed properly. When not in use, the built-in child seat can be stowed so that the rear center seat position may be used or the rear seatback can be folded down.

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Inspecting the built-in child seat after a collision

All built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles,

retractors, seat latches, interlocks, and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified Dealer technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the child restraints do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Built-in child seats not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

For information on cleaning your built-in child seat, refer to Cleaning the built-in child seat in the Maintenance and care section.

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A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than when the engine is warm. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes.

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce

very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of fire or other damage.

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other

enclosed area. Never sit in a stopped vehicle for more than a short period of time with the engine running. Exhaust fumes are toxic. For more information and instructions, refer to Guarding against exhaust fumes in this chapter.

Starting

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Starting

PREPARING TO START THE VEHICLE Engine starting is controlled by the spark ignition system. This system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise. Before starting the vehicle: 1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. 2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories are off.

OFF

If starting a vehicle with an automatic transaxle:

† Make sure the parking brake

is set.

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If starting a vehicle with an automatic transaxle:

† make sure that the gearshift is

in P.

Starting

If starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle: † push the clutch pedal to the

floor.

† place the gearshift in the

neutral position.