This Chapter is designed to help the home mechanic maintain his/her vehicle for safety, economy, long life and peak performance.

The Chapter contains a master maintenance schedule, followed by Sections dealing specifically with each task on the schedule. Visual checks, adjustments, component renewal and other helpful items are included. Refer to the accompanying illustrations of the engine compartment and the underside of the vehicle for the locations of the various components.

• Servicing Specifications
• Ford Escort maintenance schedule
• Introduction
• Intensive maintenance
• Engine oil and filter renewal (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Oil filler cap cleaning - OHVand HCS engines (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Fluid leak check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Exhaust manifold nut check - RS Turbo models (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Idle speed and mixture adjustment (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Ignition system component check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Distributor lubrication - models with contact breaker distributor (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Contact breaker points adjustment - models with contact breaker distributor (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Ignition timing check - models with contact breaker distributor (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Spark plug renewal - RS Turbo models (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Front brake disc pad check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Rear brake shoe lining check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Suspension and steering check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Seat belt check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Alternator drivebelt check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
• Valve clearance adjustment - OHV and HCS engines (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Exhaust system check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Turbocharger-to-manifold nut check - RS Turbo models (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Spark plug renewal (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Contact breaker points renewal (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Manual transmission oil level check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Automatic transmission fluid level check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Automatic transmission selector mechanism check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Driveshaft check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Roadwheel check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Hinge and lock check and lubrication (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Road test (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
• Coolant renewal (Every 24 000 miles or 2 Years)
• Air cleaner element renewal (Every 24 000 miles or 2 Years)
• Crankcase emission control filter renewal - CVH engines (Every 24 000 miles or 2 Years)
• Fuel filter renewal - fuel injection engines (Every 24 000 miles or 2 Years)
• Timing belt renewal - CVH engines (Every 36 000 miles or 3 years)
• Brake components check (Every 36 000 miles or 3 years)
• Brake fluid renewal (Every 36 000 miles or 3 years)