CARCARETOOL VEHICLE GUIDE

Ford Laser

Ford Laser — 3-door hatchback4-door sedan5-door hatchback, 1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4. Explore engine specifications, fuel economy, dimensions, tire sizes, seating, maintenance and tire-pressure guidance.

Engine1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4

Transmission4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic

About the Ford Laser

Ford Laser is a 3-door hatchback4-door sedan5-door hatchback in the subcompact car (1981–1994)compact car (1994–2005) class. The available vehicle data lists 1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4 as an engine configuration, paired with 4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic and a * Front-engine, front-wheel-drive * Front-engine, all-wheel-drive layout. Public source material describes the model in the context of its design, market positioning and vehicle history.

This Ford Laser guide focuses on the details drivers commonly want to know, including engine information for 1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4 and 4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic transmission information. Exact specifications should be matched to the relevant model year and market.

Ford Laser specifications at a glance

Use this table for the model-level essentials. Exact figures may vary by year, trim, engine and market.

Make	Ford
Model	Laser
Model years	Not specified
Body style	3-door hatchback4-door sedan5-door hatchback
Vehicle class	Subcompact car (1981–1994)Compact car (1994–2005)
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1981–2005
Market / country	NZ, US

Engine, transmission and performance

Engine information for the Ford Laser includes 1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4.. Transmission information includes 4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic.. The listed drivetrain/layout is * Front-engine, front-wheel-drive * Front-engine, all-wheel-drive.

Engine	1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4
Transmission	4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic
Drivetrain / layout	* Front-engine, front-wheel-drive * Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

Dimensions, weight and practicality

Dimensions and capacity figures are presented as published source data when available.

Wheelbase	2400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	3390 mm (133 in) (cabriolet/hatchback); 4195 mm (165 in) (sedan); 4225 mm (166 in) (wagon)
Width	1645 mm (64.8 in)
Height	1380 mm (54.3 in) (cabriolet); 1390 mm (54.7 in) (sedan/hatchback); 1430 mm (56.3 in) (wagon)
Kerb / curb weight	825-1000 kg lb 0 (hatchback); 1090-1175 kg lb 0 (TX3 Turbo AWD); 865-1070 kg lb 0 (sedan); 910-1020 kg lb 0 (wagon); 1090-1110 kg lb 0 (cabriolet)

Ford Laser other specifications

Name	Ford Laser
Image	2000 Ford Laser (KN).jpg
Aka	Ford Meteor (Australia & South Africa) Ford Liata/ Ford Aztec/ Ford Activa/ Ford Tierra (Taiwan)Ford Lynx (Philippines/Malaysia)
Caption	Ford Laser (KA) Ghia 5-door

Ford Laser generations and model years

Where a source covers multiple generations, CarCareTool selects the generation(s) that best match this catalog model instead of mixing unrelated variants.

Generation / scope	Years	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
Ford Laser	1981–2005	Not specified	Not specified	* Front-engine, front-wheel-drive * Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
First generation (KA/KB)	1981–1985 (Laser)1982–1985 (Meteor)	1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4	4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic	Not specified
Second generation (BF/KC/KE)	Japan: 1985–1989; Australia: 1985–1990 (sedan, hatchback); Australia: 1986–1994 (wagon); New Zealand: 1986–1996 (wagon); South Africa: 1986–2003; Indonesia: 1986–1997; Taiwan: 1986–1990; Mexico: 1987–1989	'''Petrol:'''; 1.3 L ''B3'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.4 L ''CVH'' I4 (ZA); 1.5 L ''B5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5/E5F'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' I4 turbo; 1.6 L ''B6/B6F'' SOHC I4; 1.6 L ''B6D'' DOHC I4; 1.6 L ''B6T'' DOHC turbo I4; 1.6 L ''CVH'' I4 (ZA); 1.6 L ''F6'' I4; 2.0 L ''FE'' SOHC I4; 2.0 L ''FE'' DOHC I4; '''Diesel:'''; 1.7 L ''PN'' I4	3-speed automatic (E/PN/B5 engines only); 4-speed automatic (B6 engine only); 4-speed manual (E3 engine only); 5-speed manual (all engines)	Not specified
Third generation (KF/KH)	Japan: 1989–1994Taiwan: 1990–1998Australia: 1990–1994New Zealand: 1990–1996 Indonesia: 1990–1997	'''Petrol''':; 1.3 L ''B3'' I4; 1.5 L ''B5'' I4; 1.6 L ''B6'' I4; 1.8 L ''B8'' I4; 1.8 L ''BP'' I4; 1.8 L ''BPT'' turbo I4; '''Diesel''':; 1.7 L ''PN'' I4	5-speed manual3/4-speed automatic	Not specified
Fourth generation (KJ/KL/KM)	1994–1999	1.6 L ''B6'' I41.8 L ''BP'' I4	5-speed manual3/4-speed automatic	Not specified
Fifth generation (KN/KQ)	1999–2005	1.3 L B3-ME SOHC I41.6 L ZM-DE DOHC I41.8 L FP-DE DOHC I42.0 L FS-DE DOHC I42.0 L FS-ZE DOHC I4	5-speed manual4-speed automatic	Not specified

Ford Laser features and equipment

Features shown below are tied to the available source material for this model. Equipment can vary by year, trim and market.

Standard or documented features

✓The BE model code relates to the BD model code used for the corresponding Familia/323

✓Aside from being built in Australia and Japan, Lasers were also assembled in New Zealand at Ford's Wiri plant in Auckland, replacing the Mk2 Escort

✓323s initially had been assembled at the Motor Industries International plant in Otahuhu, subsequently taken over by Mazda New Zealand

✓New Zealand-built Ford Laser hatchbacks were available with the 1.1-litre (base and Ritz), 1.3-litre (GL), and 1.5-litre (Sport) engines, while the Laser sedan (base, L, Ghia) was available with the 1.1-, 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines respectively, with the Ghia having an automatic transmission option

✓In addition, it was sold in right hand drive markets in the Caribbean such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where it was locally assembled

✓In Taiwan, it was assembled using complete knock-down kits from 1981 via the local joint venture Ford Lio Ho

✓It was assembled at the state-owned Willowvale Motor Industries plant, in Harare, alongside the Mazda 323

TIRE PRESSURE

Recommended tire pressure for Ford Laser

Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. CarCareTool estimates are clearly labelled when an exact verified value is unavailable.

Normal load32 PSI front30 PSI rear

Fully loaded34 PSI front33 PSI rear

Load condition	Front	Rear	Status
Normal	32 PSI	30 PSI	Estimate
Fully loaded	34 PSI	33 PSI	Estimate

Calculate how much air to add

Frequently asked questions about Ford Laser

These FAQs are generated automatically for this specific vehicle from the specifications, features and ownership data available in CarCareTool. Questions are selected by relevance so the page focuses on details that can actually be answered for this model.

What engine does the Ford Laser have?

The available source data lists the Ford Laser engine as 1.1 L ''E1'' I4; 1.3 L ''E3'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5'' I4; 1.5 L ''E5T'' turbo I4. Engine availability can differ by model year and market.

What tire pressure should I use for the Ford Laser?

For the correct setting, use the cold inflation pressure on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual. When CarCareTool does not have a verified configuration-specific value, its starting estimate is 32 PSI front and 30 PSI rear for normal load. This is an estimate, not an OEM recommendation.

What is the best engine oil for the Ford Laser?

There is no single best engine oil for every Ford Laser configuration. Use the viscosity grade and manufacturer approval specified for the exact engine in the owner’s manual.

What body style is the Ford Laser?

The Ford Laser is classified as a 3-door hatchback4-door sedan5-door hatchback.

What are the dimensions of the Ford Laser?

The available source data lists length 3390 mm (133 in) (cabriolet/hatchback); 4195 mm (165 in) (sedan); 4225 mm (166 in) (wagon), width 1645 mm (64.8 in), height 1380 mm (54.3 in) (cabriolet); 1390 mm (54.7 in) (sedan/hatchback); 1430 mm (56.3 in) (wagon), and wheelbase 2400 mm (94.5 in).

What transmission does the Ford Laser have?

The available source data lists 4/5-speed manual3-speed automatic transmission options for the Ford Laser.

Is the Ford Laser FWD, RWD or AWD?

The listed drivetrain/layout for the Ford Laser is * Front-engine, front-wheel-drive * Front-engine, all-wheel-drive.

Who makes the Ford Laser?

The manufacturer listed for the Ford Laser is Ford.

When was the Ford Laser produced?

The available source data describes production as 1981–2005.

How much does the Ford Laser weigh?

The available source data lists a kerb/curb weight of 825-1000 kg lb 0 (hatchback); 1090-1175 kg lb 0 (TX3 Turbo AWD); 865-1070 kg lb 0 (sedan); 910-1020 kg lb 0 (wagon); 1090-1110 kg lb 0 (cabriolet). Actual weight can vary with engine, trim and equipment.

Where was the Ford Laser built?

The available source record lists assembly information as Taiwan: Taoyuan City (Ford Lio Ho, CKD)Malaysia: Shah Alam, SelangorIndonesia: Jakarta (IRMC)Vietnam: Hai DuongThailand: Rayong (AAT)Australia: FlemingtonJapan: Hofu (Mazda)Venezuela: Valencia, Colombia: BogotáSouth Africa: PretoriaZimbabwe: Willowvale.

What class of car is the Ford Laser?

The Ford Laser is listed in the Subcompact car (1981–1994)Compact car (1994–2005) class.

Which markets or countries sold the Ford Laser?

The CarCareTool catalog currently associates the Ford Laser with NZ, US. Market availability and specifications can differ.

What came after the Ford Laser?

The available vehicle data lists Ford FocusFord Escort (China & Taiwan) as a successor where applicable.

What replaced the Ford Laser?

The available vehicle data lists Ford FocusFord Escort (China & Taiwan) as the successor where applicable.

What cars are related to the Ford Laser?

The available source data identifies related models as Ford CapriFord Escort (Gen 2 & Gen 3 only)Mazda Familia/323Mercury CapriMercury Tracer. Relationships can vary by market and generation.

How often should I check the tire pressure on the Ford Laser?

Check the tires regularly and before long trips, with the tires cold. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual as the source of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Should I use the tire sidewall pressure for the Ford Laser?

No. The maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall is not automatically the vehicle’s recommended setting. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the correct cold inflation pressure.

Does the recommended tire pressure change when the Ford Laser is fully loaded?

It can. Many vehicles specify a different cold pressure for heavier loads. Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the exact loading condition.

Can the Ford Laser have different tire pressures front and rear?

Yes. Some vehicles specify different front and rear pressures because axle loads and vehicle configurations differ. Follow the exact vehicle recommendation where available.

Data sources and verification are available in the page editor; exact specifications can vary by year, market, trim and engine.

Ford Laser images

Vehicle images are shown from the stored source image records when available.