2003 FORD EXPLORER tire type

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
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. 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
249

•Five tire rotation
To make sure your tires wear
evenly, rotate them as indicated in
theScheduled Maintenance Guide.
If your tires wear unevenly, have
them checked.
Replacing tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible. Due to exposure to
the elements and exhaust you
should replace the spare tire when
you replace the other tires.
Never mix radial bias-belted tires, or bias-type tires. Use only the
tire sizes that are listed on the Certification 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 handling may be
effected which can lead to loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design as originally offered by
Ford.
Maintenance and Specifications
251

Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................50
Power adjustable foot pedals .....50
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................183
Power door locks ........................77
Power point ...........................45, 47
Power steering ..........................142
fluid, checking and adding ....246
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
Power Windows ...........................48
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................142
R
Radio ......................................17, 21
Rear window defroster ...............32
Relays ................................178, 186
Remote entry system .................79
illuminated entry ......................82
locking/unlocking doors ...........89
opening the trunk .....................79
Reverse sensing system ...........147
Roadside assistance ..................176
Roof rack .....................................75
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................101, 103–108
Safety Canopy ...................118–119
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ........101, 103–108
belt minder .............................109
cleaning the safety belts ........112extension assembly ................108
for adults .........................104–107
for children .............................121
warning light and chime ........109
Safety seats for children ..........124
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............101
Seats ............................................91
child safety seats ....................124
heated ........................................95
memory seat .......................80, 94
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................254, 259
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................50
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......136
Starting your vehicle ........134, 136
jump starting ..........................195
Steering wheel
controls ......................................53
T
Tire warning ..............................252
Tires ...........................188, 249, 252
changing ..........................188, 191
replacing ..................................191
snow tires and chains ............253
spare tire .........................188–190
tire grades ...............................250
treadwear ................................249
Towing .......................................169
recreational towing .................175
Index
271