1996 Ford Escort Owner's Manual - Page 121

Safety Belt Warning Light/Chime (Canadian vehicles equipped with combination lap and shoulder belts) This warning light and chime remind you in two ways to fasten your safety belt. If you do not fasten the safety belt before you turn the ignition key to ON, the chime sounds for four (4) to eight (8) seconds. Also, each time you turn the ignition key to ON, the warning light comes on for one to two minutes to remind you to fasten your combination lap and shoulder belt. The safety belt light Brake Warning Light The warning light for the brakes can show two things - that the parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low, the brake system should be checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician. This light comes on when you turn the ignition key to START, but it normally goes off shortly after the engine starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on or comes on after you have released the parking brake fully, have the hydraulic brake system serviced. 120