1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL spare tire

Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures. Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limits in the Index). Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may
fail or go flat.
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying posted
speed limits./!\ WARNINGDriving too fast for conditions creates thepossibility of loss of vehicle control. Drivingat very high speeds for extended periods oftime may result in damage to vehiclecomponents.256At 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./!\ WARNINGImproperly inflated tires can affect vehiclehandling and can fail suddenly, possiblyresulting in loss of vehicle control.Tire Rotation
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.

Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
For tire rotation intervals, see the Maintenance
Schedule. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.Rotating the tiresReplacing the Tires
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your
tire shows a wear band, it has only I/ 1 6 inch (2 mm)
of tread left.A worn-out tire Wear Band
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.
257

/!\ WARNINGWhen replacing full size tires, never mixradial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use onlythe tire sizes that are listed on the tirepressure decal. Make sure that all tires arethe same size, speed rating, and load-carryingcapacity. Use only the tire combinationsrecommended on the decal. If you do notfollow these precautions, your vehicle may notdrive properly and safely.Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
258Information About Tire Quality Grades
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.
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).
U.S. Department of Transportation - 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.

Fuel pump shutoff switch Air suspension shutoff switch Spare tire Cargo storage system Fuel door manual release305

Seats..........................................................removing the spare tire.......................205
adjusting the seats, power................115temporary spare.................................204
child safety seats................................27Spark plugs, specifications......................288
head restraints.................................114Specification chart, lubricants.................289
Securitire.............................................141Speed control...............................................
Service concerns..................................213accelerating..........................................97
Servicing your vehicle, precautions when....canceling a set speed............................98
servicing............................................233resetting...............................................97
Shift-lock system..................................180resuming a set speed............................98
Shift positions (see Gearshift)...............181turning off............................................98
Shoulder and lap belts................................when towing a trailer..........................198
(see Safety restraints)...........................11Speedometer.............................................66
Side mirrors...............................................Starting your vehicle.....................................
adjusting..........................................126preparing to start your vehicle..............43
heated . ..........................127starting a cold engine...........................44
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)......113starting after a collision........................47
Snow tires and chains...........................260starting a warm engine.........................45
Spare tire...................................................Steering, power......................................185
changing the tire..............................206Steering wheel..............................................
finding the spare..............................205horn.....................................................93
..............................................................tilting...................................................94
318