Ford Escort (2003 year). Manual — part 24

Recommended shift speeds

Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:

Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)

1-2

21 km/h (13 mph)

2-3

40 km/h (25 mph)

3-4

53 km/h (33 mph)

4-5

70 km/h (44 mph)

Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)

1-2

18 km/h (11 mph)

2-3

32 km/h (20 mph)

3-4

46 km/h (29 mph)

4-5

61 km/h (38 mph)

Reverse

1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transaxle.

2. Move the gearshift lever into the neutral position and wait at least
three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse).
• The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving it

fromleft of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).
This is a lockout feature that protects the transaxle fromaccidentally
being shifted into R (Reverse) from5 (Overdrive).

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.

If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottomof the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottomof the wheel rims (for cars).

Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.

Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.

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VEHICLE LOADING

Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
• Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard

equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.

• Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants

and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.

• GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload

weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.

• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum permissible total

weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.

• GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each axle

system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.

• GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the

towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.

• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum permissible

combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer

• Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the

vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver fromthe GCWR for the towing
vehicle.

• Maximum Trailer Weight: Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded

vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle fromthe GCWR for the towing vehicle.

• Trailer Weight Range: Specified weight range that the trailer must

fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.

Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.

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Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.

Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.

The Safety Certification Label, found on the driver’s door pillar, lists
several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any
additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding weight
to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added to the
cab), the weight added should not exceed the front axle reserve capacity
(FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front axle reserve
capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e. restrict the
number of occupants or amount of cargo carried).

Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and front and rear gross
axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these limitations
be exceeded.

Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle loss of vehicle control, vehicle

rollover, and/or personal injury.

TRAILER TOWING

Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to 454 kg (1,000 lbs.) gross
trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of 45 kg (100 lbs.). Do not
tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km(500
miles).

Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transaxle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.

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Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in

engine damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or serious personal injury.

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.

Hitches

Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.

Safety chains

Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.

Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.

Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake systemdirectly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough

braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.

The braking systemof the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.

Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your trailer
lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer
rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.

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