1996 Ford Escort Owner's Manual - Page 224

Putting Your Vehicle in Gear RWARNING Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone. Using a Console-Mounted Gearshift Since your vehicle has a console-mounted gearshift, you must depress the brake pedal, then push in the thumb button to move the gearshift to the position you choose. Once the gearshift is secure in the desired position, release the brake pedal and use the accelerator as necessary. The automatic console-mounted gearshift lever To move the gearshift out of P (Park), the ignition must be turned to the ON position and the brake pedal must be depressed. When the gearshift is in any other position except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be turned to LOCK or be removed from the steering column. To remove the key, the gearshift must be in P (Park). 224