According to the 1999 Ford Escort Owner Guide :
With engine oil filter change :
The 2.0 liter DOHC , Zetec engine takes :
( 4.25 liters / 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 )
5w30 is recommended.
10W 30 or 5W 30
The oil capacity of a 99 Ford Escort is 4 quarts. Use 5W-30 weight oil. Use a SM rated oil which is the highest rating.
5w30
5-30 weight SM rated oil.
According to the 1999 Ford Escort owners manual : ( 5W-30 engine oil is used in the 2.0 liter SOHC engine ) and also the 2.0 liter DOHC , Zetec engine
I was looking at the 1999 Ford Escort Owner Guide and it shows : With engine oil filter change : Sedan / Wagon ( 4.0 quarts , 3.8 liters of engine oil ) ZX2 ( 4.5 quarts , 4.25 liters of engine oil )
SM rated 5W-30 weight of oil.
5w-30
5-30 weight rated SM
A possible reason the engine dies when the oil light comes on in a 1999 Ford Escort could be because it is in major need of an oil change. There also could be an oil pressure problem because the oil pump may need to be replaced.
It takes 5-30 oil weight and rated SM