under the hood on the left side near the front is a pump -the cap should say Power Steering fluid on the top (daddmac)
Ford escort has a power steering fluid capacity of one point. The manufacturer recommends that you never overfill the power steering fluid.
According to the 1998 Ford Escort Owner Guide : ( Motorcraft MERCON automatic transmission fluid is used as the power steering fluid )
Power Steering Pump Reservoir.
Refilling clutch fluid in a 1994 Ford Escort is very easy to do. The clutch fluid can be refilled by filling up the brake reservoir.
If it doesn't specifically say power steering fluid only you can use Mercon automatic transmission fluid.
Use mercron automatic tranmission fluid and do not overfill.
I was looking at the 1999 Ford Escort Owner Guide ( for North America ) It shows that Motorcraft MERCON automatic transmission fluid is used as the power steering fluid So , the answer would be ( Yes )
Unless the cap on the reservoir says use Power Steering Fluid only use Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Take the hose off of the steering rack and plug it so the fluid won't run out and then take the other end of the hose off the steering pump.
Use a turkey baster to suck old fluid out, refill with new fluid.
dipstick hole
According to the Owner Guide , Motorcraft Ford type " F " Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid ( Ford specification , ESW-M2C33-F )