The factory automatics shift much too slow. This generates heat in the fluid breaking it down and causing varnish to form. It also promotes wear of the clutches and all that wear material gets pumped through the transmission further clogging everything up. In a 2nd generation Escort, you can adjust the cable on the bottom of the throttle body. This controls line pressure in the transmission and when adjusted will firm up the shifts quite a bit.

Also see

• Ford Escort & ZX2 section for the entire index of all Ford Escort and ZX2 related articles.