Ford Escort (2003 year). Manual — part 2

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES

Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.

Service engine soon: If this light
illuminates while driving, it is a
possible indication that one of the
engine’s emission control systems
has failed.

Check fuel cap: Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Service
engine soon light to come on.

Brake system warning light: To
confirmthe brake systemwarning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake systemwarning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.

!

THEFT

LOW
FUEL

SERVICE

ENGINE

SOON

CHECK

FUEL

CAP

P

BRAKE

ABS

+

–

MPH

20

50

60

70

FUEL

FILL

E

F

C

H

1

2

/

RPMx1000

1

2

3

4 5

6

7

8

30

40

80

90

100

110

120

10

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

km/h

0

0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

SERVICE

ENGINE

SOON

CHECK

FUEL

CAP

P

!

BRAKE

Instrument Cluster

10

Driving a vehicle with the brake systemwarning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may

occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.

Anti-lock brake system: If the ABS
light stays illuminated or continues to
flash, a malfunction has been
detected, have the systemserviced
immediately. Normal braking is still
functional unless the brake warning light also is illuminated.

Air bag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the systemserviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.

Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.

Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.

Engine oil pressure: Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer to Engine oil
in the Maintenance and
Specifications chapter.

Low fuel: Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at, or near
empty (refer to Fuel gauge in this
chapter).

Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.

ABS

LOW

FUEL

Instrument Cluster

11

High beams: Illuminates when the
high beamheadlamps are turned on.

Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the ignition) and
the driver’s door is opened.
GAUGES

Speedometer: Indicates the
current vehicle speed.

Engine coolant temperature
gauge: Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in the
normal range (between “H” and “C”).
If it enters the red section, the engine
is overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.

THEFT

LOW
FUEL

SERVICE

ENGINE

SOON

CHECK

FUEL

CAP

ABS

+

–

MPH

20

50

60

70

FUEL

FILL

E

F

C

H

1

2

/

RPMx1000

1

2

3

4 5

6

7

8

30

40

80

90

100

110

120

10

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

km/h

0

0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

!

P

BRAKE

Instrument Cluster

12

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.

Fuel gauge: Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position).

Odometer: Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.

Trip odometer: Registers the
kilometers (miles) of individual
journeys.

Tachometer: Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.

Instrument Cluster

13