i know this is a gm site but my girlfriend'* mother is despret and she needs to know
i hope one of you knows where it is

Behind the steering wheel?

Joke! Really! Don't write in!

You didn't say what year of Escort it is, but from what I recall of my sister'* '93, it should be pretty easy to spot, emerging from the front of the engine. If you still have the owner'* manual, there should be an illustrated page in there somewhere showing exactly where it is.

If you're afraid that maybe somebody at a gas station left it out, you're going to have to look a little closer, and see if you can find the tube that the dipstick is supposed to go into. That probably does not stick up as far as the dipstick itself, but should still be easy to find. If you find any open tube (maybe 1/2" or so in diameter) emerging from the engine, that'* (1) a Bad Thing, and (2) probably where the dipstick is supposed to be.

At worst, just stop by any Jiffy Lube-type of place and they'll find it for you right away.

thank you she got it she ended up going to jify-lube