Ford Escort (2003 year). Manual — part 25

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 ANOTHER 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.

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102

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).

USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

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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103

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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104

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.

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Roadside Emergencies

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