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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.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
inflation placard.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
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²Unidirectional tire rotation
For vehicles equipped with original
equipment unidirectional tires and
full-size spare, your vehicle can be
driven with the unidirectional
full-size spare, rotating counter to
the directional arrow on the tire
sidewall.
Your unidirectional full-size spare
tire is rotated for wear balance. Best
performance may be achieved by
remounting the tire to the wheel, if
necessary, to permit tire rotation
with the directional arrow on the
tire sidewall.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
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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 or chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Use only SAE Class S chains with P215/60R16 tires.
²Do not use tire chains with size P235/50R17 tires. Use of SAE Class S
chains or other chain types may damage your vehicle.
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 or chains.
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Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
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S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....15, 126, 128±131, 133
Safety defects, reporting ..........219
Safety restraints ........126, 128±133
belt minder .............................134
cleaning the safety
belts .................................138, 226
extension assembly ................137
for adults .........................128±131
for children .....................146±147
warning light
and chime ............12, 15, 133±134
Safety seats for children ..........148
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............126
Seats ..........................................121
child safety seats ....................148
cleaning ...................................225
easy access/easyout
feature .....................................124
memory seat ...................116, 125
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............117, 119
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................173
Servicing your vehicle ..............228
Spark plugs,
specifications .............261, 264±265
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................263±264
Speed control ..............................78
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your vehicle ........156±158
jump starting ..........................202Steering
speed sensitive .......................163
Steering column lock ................106
Steering wheel
controls ..........................72, 78, 84
tilting ...................................14, 72
T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................198, 255±257
changing ..........................198±199
checking the pressure ............257
replacing ..................................259
rotating ....................................257
snow tires and chains ............260
tire grades ...............................256
treadwear ................................256
Towing .......................................183
recreational towing .................186
trailer towing ..........................183
wrecker ....................................209
Traction control ........................164
active light ................................13
Transmission ...............................13
automatic operation ...............167
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................252
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................252
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
lubricant specifications ..263±264
manual operation ..............13, 177
Trip odometer .............................17
Trunk .........................................109
remote release ................104, 114
Turn signal ......................14±15, 64
Index
281