1996 Ford Escort Owner's Manual - Page 312

Battery If the original equipment maintenance-free battery is replaced, it may be replaced by a low-maintenance battery. See Motorcraft Parts at the end of this chapter for the proper replacement battery. The low-maintenance battery has removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and adding water. The electrolyte level should be checked at least every 24 months or 24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up to 90˚F (32˚C) and more often in temperatures above 90˚F (32˚C). Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the level indicator. Do not overfill. If the level gets low, refill the battery with distilled water. If necessary, you can add tap water to the battery, provided the water is not hard or does not have a high mineral or alkali content. If the battery needs water quite often, have the charging system checked for a possible malfunction. If you disconnect the battery, the engine must "relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To find out how the engine does this, see Starting your vehicle's fuel-injected engine in the Index. If the battery has been disconnected, you will have to reset the clock and the preset stations on your radio once the battery is reconnected. 313