1996 FORD MUSTANG tires

264 %
*
[SV25200( ALL)05/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
*
[SV25400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
%*
[SV25500( ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV25600( ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
*
[SV25700( ALL)01/95]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

265 [SV25900(M )03/93]
half page art:0010378-C
Rotating the tires
%*
[SV26500( ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
*
[SV26600( ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
% [SV26700( ALL)05/94]
one inch art:0001318-A
A worn-out tire
*
[SV26800( ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread. Some spots
wear more heavily than others.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

266
*
[SV26850( ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
*
[SV27100( ALL)01/95]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
%*
[SV28100( ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV28200( ALL)01/95]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
*
[SV28250( ALL)01/95]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
*
[SV28300( ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

267 %
*
[SV28399( ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV28400( ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
*
[SV28499( ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
*
[SV28500( ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
*
[SV28599( ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
*
[SV28600( ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

268represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The temperature
grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
%*
[SV28700( ALL)04/95]
Snow Tires and Chains
[SV28801(M )08/93]
The 15 in. and 16 in. tires on your vehicle have
all-weather treads that provide traction in rain
or snow. However, during the winter months in
some climates, you may need to use snow tires
and occasionally chains for your tires.
*
[SV28900( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and
grade as the tires you currently have on
your vehicle.
[SV28910(M )05/95]
For your Mustang GT models equipped with 17
in. tires, to achieve the best traction during snow
and ice conditions, purchase 245/45ZR17 mud
and snow tires.
*
[SV29000( ALL)02/95]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
*
[SV29100( ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure the chains are the right size for
your tires. Use only SAE Class ªSº chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle.
[SV29110(M )05/95]
q
Use only Cable Type chains if your vehicle is
equipped with the P225/55ZR16 or
245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class ªSº
chains or other types may damage your
vehicle.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

304
*
[SV59000( ALL)01/95]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
%*
[SV59200( ALL)01/95]
Cooling system
*
[SV59300( ALL)01/95]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[SV59400( ALL)01/95]
Battery
*
[SV59500( ALL)01/95]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[SV59600( ALL)01/95]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
*
[SV59650( ALL)03/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
[SV59675( ALL)05/94]
NOTE: If battery cables are disconnected, it
will be necessary to reset memory
features.
%*
[SV59700( ALL)01/95]
Brakes
*
[SV59800( ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
%*
[SV59900( ALL)01/95]
Tires
*
[SV60000( ALL)05/95]
q
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[SV60100( ALL)01/95]
Miscellaneous
*
[SV60200( ALL)01/95]
q
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
clevis pins under vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust.
*
[SV60300( ALL)03/95]
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

320 Index
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 223
Canada, warranty information....... 4
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).............. 223
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 298
Carbon monoxide in exhaust........ 56
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)......... 30
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)......141, 145, 162, 168
Catalytic converter............ 293
CD player (see Electronic
sound system)........148, 154, 155
Chains, tires.............. 268
Changing a tire............. 205
Charging system gauge.......... 76
Charging system warning light....... 68
Child safety restraints........... 28
child safety belts............ 46
child safety seats............ 30
Child safety seats
and air bags............ 24,30
automatic locking mode
(retractor)....... 14,15,30,32,39
in front seat............ 24,30
in front seat, convertible......... 32
in front seat, coupe........... 39
in rear outboard seat........ 30,39
in rear seat............... 30
Chime
key in ignition............. 51
safety belt............... 66
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 287
see also fuses............. 278
Cleaning your vehicle
CD player and discs........152, 159
chrome and aluminum parts....... 7
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:41:15 1996

Index 333
Roadside assistance........... 215
Roadside emergencies.......... 199
Rotating the tires............ 264
S
Safe driving tips............ 190
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)...... 9
Safety chains, when towing a trailer . . . 196
Safety defects, reporting......... 222
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 245
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts.... 11,13,15
automatic locking mode.......14±15
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . 14±15
cleaning the safety belts......... 21
extension assembly........... 20
for adults............... 9
for children.............. 28
for infants............. 28,30
for pregnant women.......... 9
head................. 116
lap and shoulder belts........ 9,11
maintenance.............. 21
proper use............... 9
replacement.............. 21
warning light and chime........ 66
Safety seats for children
and air bags........... 24,30±31
attaching with tether straps....... 30
automatic locking mode
(retractor).......14±15, 30, 32, 39
in front seat.............. 30
in front seat, convertible......... 32
in front seat, coupe........... 39
in rear outboard........ 30,32,39
in rear seat............... 30
tether anchorage hardware....... 30
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)....... 9
Seats.................. 116
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:41:15 1996