
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. The
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.
Temperature A B C
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 represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
225

A
Accessory delay ..........................62
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................121, 125
and child safety seats ............123
description ......................121, 125
disposal ....................................128
driver air bag ..................123, 126
indicator light ...................12, 125
operation .........................123, 126
passenger air bag ...........123, 126
side air bag ..............................125
Air cleaner filter ...............221, 226
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ..........................43
Air suspension ...........................145
description ..............................145
warning light .............................14
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................201
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ......................................141
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................147
fluid, adding ............................219
fluid, checking ........................219
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
fluid, specification ..................230
Auxiliary power point .................62
Axle
lubricant specifications ..228, 230
refill capacities ........................227
traction lok ..............................149B
Battery .......................................199
acid, treating emergencies .....199
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....169
maintenance-free ....................199
replacement, specifications ...226
servicing ..................................199
Belt minder ...............................116
Brakes ........................................140
anti-lock ...................................141
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 142
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....218
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
fluid, specifications .........228, 230
lubricant
specifications ..................228, 230
pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................64
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....227
Cassette tape player ...................26
CD changer .................................38
Certification Label ....................232
Child safety restraints ..............129
child safety belts ....................129
Child safety seats ..............129±130
attaching with tether
straps .......................................133
Index
237

bulb specifications ....................54
daytime running lights .............49
flash to pass ..............................50
high beam ...........................15, 50
replacing bulbs .........................55
turning on and off ....................49
warning chime ..........................16
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage door
opener) ..................................69±72
Hood ..........................................194
I
Ignition ...............................136, 230
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .............129±130
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................217
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................190
cluster ................................10, 190
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................50
J
Jack ............................................165
positioning ...............................165
storage .....................................165
Jump-starting your vehicle ......169
K
Keyless entry system .................96
autolock .....................................94
keypad .......................................96
programming entry code .........96Keys ...............................88, 98±100
key in ignition chime ...............16
positions of the ignition .........136
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................49
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................54
cargo lamps ...............................50
daytime running light ...............49
headlamps .................................49
headlamps, flash to pass ..........50
instrument panel, dimming .....50
interior lamps .....................53±54
replacing bulbs .......53, 55, 57±58
Lane change indicator (see
Turn signal) .................................53
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
air suspension ...........................14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 142
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
cruise indicator .........................14
door ajar ....................................15
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................15
liftgate ajar ................................16
low coolant ................................13
low washer fluid .......................14
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................68
traction control system ............15
turn signal indicator .................15
Index
240

lap belt ....................................114
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................108
warning light and
chime ...................12, 16, 115±116
Safety seats for
children ..............................129±130
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................106
Seats ..........................................102
child safety seats ............129±130
cleaning ...................................190
easy access/easyout feature ..105
heated ......................................105
memory seat ...............84, 94, 106
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..................................98±100
Servicing your vehicle ..............193
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................226, 230
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................228, 230
Speed control ..............................65
Speedometer ...............................18
Starting your vehicle ........136±138
jump starting ..........................169
Steering
speed sensitive .......................145
Steering wheel
controls ..........................60, 65, 68
tilting .........................................60
T
Tires ...........................165, 222±224changing ..........................165±166
checking the pressure ............224
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............225
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................223
Towing .......................................151
recreational towing .................154
trailer towing ..........................151
wrecker ....................................175
Traction control ........................143
active light ................................13
how to enable/disable ............144
off light ......................................14
Traction-lok rear axle ...............149
Transmission .............................146
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................219
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
lubricant
specifications ..................228, 230
Trunk ...........................................89
remote release ....................83, 91
Turn signal ......................15±16, 53
V
Vehicle Communication
System .........................................73
Vehicle dimensions ...................230
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................232
Vehicle loading ..........................150
Ventilating your vehicle ...........140
Index
242