2001 Ford Escort Owner's Manual - Page 126

Roadside emergencies 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 from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse) (manual transaxle). To prevent the vehicle from moving 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. 126