INFORMATION 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.
Treadwear
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.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades 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.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Maintenance and care
212
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Use only SAE Class S chains.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
Maintenance and care
215
Overdrive ..............................87,164
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................101
Parking brake ............................158
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....235
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................176
Power door locks ........................90
Power steering ..........................159
fluid, checking and adding ....202
fluid, refill capacity ................235
fluid, specifications ..........236,237
Radio ............................................40
Relays .................................172,179
Remote entry system ........100,101
illuminated entry ....................102
locking/unlocking doors .........101
panic alarm .............................101
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................103
replacing the batteries ...........102
Roof rack ...................................170
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......124,125,126,127,128
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................239
Safety defects, reporting ..........254
Safety
restraints .......124,125,126,127,128
cleaning the safety belts .130,234
extension assembly ................129
for adults ...................125,126,127
for children ......................135,136
lap belt ....................................128
warning light and
chime ........................7,10,129,130
Safety seats for children ..........137
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................124
Seats ..........................................110
child safety seats ....................137
cleaning ...................................234memory seat ...........................113
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Spark plugs,
specifications ...............235,237,238
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................236,237
Speed control ..............................81
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........152,154
jump starting ..........................185
Steering wheel
controls ......................................85
tilting .........................................88
Tachometer .................................11
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................21
Tilt steering wheel ......................88
Tires .............................179,212,213
changing ....................179,180,182
checking the pressure ............213
replacing ..................................214
rotating ....................................213
snow tires and chains ............215
tire grades ...............................213
treadwear ................................212
Towing ................................166,213
trailer towing ..........................166
wrecker ....................................190
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............160
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
lubricant specifications ..........237
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................202
Trip odometer .............................13
Turn signal ...............................8,86
Vehicle dimensions ...................238
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................240
Vehicle loading ..........................165
Ventilating your vehicle ...........156
Index
258
