Ford Escort (2003 year). Manual — part 27

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 tire do 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

Roadside Emergencies

110

Tire change procedure

1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.

When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle frommoving or slipping off the

jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R
(Reverse) (manual transaxle).

To prevent the vehicle frommoving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the

wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.

2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse)
(manual transaxle), turn engine OFF, and block the diagonally opposite
wheel.

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111

• Automatic

• Manual

3. Remove the jack, jack handle, lug
wrench and spare tire.

P

R

N

D

D

L

1

2

4

R

3

5

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4. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.

5. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the door of the tire you are
changing. Turn the handle clockwise
until the wheel is completely off the
ground.

6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

7. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.

8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.

10. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench
away. Make sure the jack is fastened
so it does not rattle when you drive.
Unblock the wheels.

1

4

3

2

Roadside Emergencies

113