2003 FORD MUSTANG tire pressure

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Wheels And Tires
WARNING: Do not mix different types of tires, such as radial, bias, or bias- belted, on the
same vehicle except in emergencies. Vehicle handling can be seriously affected and can result
in loss of control.
Factory-installed tires and wheels are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to and including
full- rated load capacity when inflated to recommended inflation pressures.
Tire and Wheel Runout
Excessive radial and lateral runout of a wheel and tire assembly can cause roughness, vibration,
wheel tramp, tire wear, and steering wheel tremor.
Before checking runout, and to avoid false readings caused by temporary flat spots in the tires, check
runout only after the vehicle has been driven far enough to warm the tires. For additional information,
refer to Section 100 - 04 .
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Wheels And Tires
Inspection and Verification
WARNING: A vehicle equipped with a Traction- Lok® differential will always have both
wheels driving. If, while the vehicle is being serviced, only one wheel is raised off the ground
and the rear axle is driven by the engine, the wheel on the ground could drive the vehicle off
the stand or jack. Be sure both rear wheels are off the ground.
WARNING: Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground, for example, when
changing a tire. The wheel(s) resting on the ground could cause the vehicle to move.
WARNING: Do not balance the wheels and tires while they are mounted on the vehicle.
Possible tire disintegration or differential failure could result, causing personal injury and
extensive component damage. Use off- vehicle wheel and tire balancer only.
Be sure to follow the warnings when carrying out inspection and verification.
Road Test
Verify the customer concern by carrying out a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are
apparent, refer to Section 100 - 04 .
To maximize tire performance, inspect for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear, which may
indicate a need for balancing, rotation, or front suspension alignment.
Correct tire pressure and driving techniques have an important influence on tire life. Heavy cornering,
excessively rapid acceleration and unnecessary sharp braking increases tire wear.
Replacement tires must follow the recommended:
ztire sizes.
z speed rating.
z load range.
z tire construction type.
Use of any other tire size or type can seriously affect:
zride.
z handling.
z speedometer/odometer calibration.
z vehicle ground clearance.
z tire clearance between the body and chassis.
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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z
wheel bearing life.
z brake cooling.
New wheels need to be installed when vehicle's wheels:
zare bent.
z are cracked.
z are dented.
z are heavily corroded.
z are leaking.
z have elongated wheel hub bolt holes.
z have excessive lateral or radial runout.
Wheel and tire assemblies are attached by six wheel nuts.
It is mandatory to use only the tire sizes recommended on the tire chart attached to the vehicle. Larger
or smaller tires can damage the vehicle, affect durability, and require changing the speedometer
calibration. Make sure wheel size and offsets match those recommended for the tire in use. 1. Inspect for signs of uneven wear that may indicate a need for balancing, rotation, front suspension alignment, damaged tie- rod, or steering components.
2. Check tires for: zcuts.
z stone bruises.
z abrasions
z blisters.
z embedded objects.
3. Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. Install a new tire when the indicator bands become visible.
Symptom Chart Symptom Chart Condition
Possible Sources Action
z Tires show
excess wear on
edge of tread z
Underinflated tires. zADJUST air pressure
in tires.
z Vehicle overloaded. zRETURN vehicle.
NOTIFY customer of
overload condition.
z High- speed cornering. zRETURN vehicle.
NOTIFY customer of
cause of condition.
z Incorrect ride height. zSET ride height.
z Incorrect wheel alignment. zSET alignment to
specification. REFER Klj . 2 ba
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to
Section 204 - 00 .
z Incorrect tire rotation
intervals. z
ADVISE customer of
condition. ROTATE
tires.
z Tires show
excess wear in
center of tread z
Tires overinflated. zADJUST air pressure.
z Other excessive
tire wear
problems z
Incorrect tire rotation
intervals. z
ADVISE customer of
condition. ROTATE
tires.
z Incorrect tire pressure. zADJUST pressure.
z Loose or leaking shock
absorbers. z
TIGHTEN or INSTALL
new shock absorbers
as necessary.
z Incorrect wheel alignment. zSET alignment to
specification. REFER
to Section 204 - 00 .
z Loose, worn or damaged
suspension components. z
REFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Wheel and tire assembly
out of balance. z
BALANCE wheel and
tire assembly.
z Excessive lateral or radial
runout of wheel. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 .
z Wobble or
shimmy z
Damaged wheel bearings. zREFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Loose or damaged
suspension components. z
REFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Bent wheel. zINSTALL a new wheel
as necessary.
z Damaged tire. zINSTALL a new tire as
necessary.
z Loose wheel nuts. zTIGHTEN to
specification.
z High- speed
shake z
Wheel hub face/pilot/bolt
circle runout.
z Tires/wheels.
z Wheel bearings.
z Suspension/steering
linkage.
z Engine.
z Transmission.
z Brake discs/imbalance. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 .
z Vehicle vibration zDriveline — engine.
z Tires. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 . Klj . 3 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Wheel Leaks
WARNING: Wheel repairs that use welding or peening are not approved. An inner tube is
not an acceptable repair for leaking wheels or tires.
If the air pressure in a tire mounted on an aluminum wheel is found to be low, perform the
following procedure before considering installation of a new wheel.
1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly, and inspect the wheel for structural damage. If none exists, go to Step 2. If the wheel is damaged, install a new wheel.
2. With the tire mounted on the wheel, locate the air leak using a water bath or equivalent method, and mark the location. Check the complete wheel for possible additional leaks. When leaks are
marked, dismount the tire marking valve location on the tire for correct indexing.
3. On the tire side of the wheel, thoroughly clean the leaking area with an appropriate choke cleaner or use sandpaper of approximately 80- grit to remove all contamination. Using the
sandpaper, score the surface of the leaking area to improve adhesion of the sealer. If the valve
stem is close to the area, remove it.
4. Use a clean cloth to remove all cleaner or sanding dust.
5. NOTE: Do not use a torch containing oxyacetylene.
Heat the prepared area with a Heat Gun or a propane torch until aluminum wheel repair
compound flows. Apply the hot melt material over the prepared area using a liberal flow and
wiping action. Repair is most effective when heat is applied to the brake side of the rim, and the
sealer is melted by heat in the metal.
6. Apply only enough heat to melt the sealer, then remove the heat source. After repairing the leak, allow the wheel to cool until it can be handled safety.
7. CAUTION: Use caution when mounting the tire so as not to damage the sealer.
Index and assemble the tire and wheel. Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure as
indicated on the tire pressure decal.
8. Repeat Step 2 to verify repair.
9. When the repair is completed, balance the assembly and install it on the vehicle.
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Material
Item Specification
Professional Choke and
Linkage Cleaner
F8AZ-
19520- AB WSS-
M14P10-
B Aluminum Wheel Repair
Compound ESA-
M4G280-
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Repair the axle as necessary. Make sure the axle lubricant is at the correct level. Refer to
Specifications in this section.
Axle Vent
NOTE:
If a plugged vent cannot be cleared, install a new one.
A plugged vent will cause excessive seal lip wear due to internal pressure buildup. If a leak occurs,
check the vent. Make sure the vent hose is not kinked. Remove the hose from the vent nipple and
clear the hose of any foreign material. While the hose is removed, pass a length of mechanics wire in
and out of the vent to clean it. Connect the hose when done.
Flange Yoke Seal
Leaks at the axle drive pinion seal originate for the following reasons:
zSeal was not correctly installed.
z Poor quality seal journal surface.
Any damage to the seal bore (dings, dents, gouges, or other imperfections) will distort the seal casing
and allow leakage past the outer edge of the axle drive pinion seal.
The axle drive pinion seal can be torn, cut, or gouged if it is not installed carefully. The spring that
holds the axle drive pinion seal against the pinion flange may be knocked out and allow leakage past
the lip.
The rubber lips can occasionally become hard (like plastic) with cracks at the oil lip contact point. The
contact point on the pinion flange may blacken, indicating excessive heat. Marks, nicks, gouges, or
rough surface texture on the seal journal of the pinion flange will also cause leaks.
When a seal leak occurs, install a new seal and check the vent and the vent hose to make sure they
are clean and free of foreign material.
Axle Shaft Seals
Axle shaft oil seals are susceptible to the same kinds of damage as axle drive pinion seals if incorrectly
installed. The seal bore must be clean and the lip handled carefully to avoid cutting or tearing it. The
axle shaft journal surface must be free of nicks, gouges, and rough surface texture.
Differential Seals
Refer to Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B .
Analysis of Vibration WARNING: A vehicle equipped with a Traction- Lok® differential will always have both
wheels driving. If only one wheel is raised off the floor and the rear axle is driven by the engine,
the wheel on the floor could drive the vehicle off the stand or jack. Be sure both rear wheels are
off the floor.
Few vibration conditions are caused by the rear axle. On a vibration concern, follow the diagnosis
procedure in Section 100 - 04 unless there is a good reason to suspect the axle.
Tires Klj . 3 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Driveline Angle Inspection
NOTE:
An incorrect driveline angle can cause a vibration or shudder. For additional information, refer
to Section 100 - 04 .
1. Check the vehicle for evidence or overload or sagging. Check for specified air pressures information in all four tires.
2. Normalize the suspension.
3. Drive the vehicle onto a drive- on hoist or back onto a front-end alignment rack.
4. Inspect the suspension and chassis. Verify that the vehicle curb position ride height is within specification. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 00 .
z Measure the curb position ride height with the vehicle empty and all fluids full.
5. Place the Inclinometer flush against the bottom of the driveshaft. After the tool has been held on the driveshaft surface for 5 seconds, push the ALT ZERO button to calibrate to zero degrees.
Remove the tool.
6. To check the pinion angle, rotate the driveshaft so that the rear axle pinion flange yoke ear is parallel to the floor. Remove the U- joint snap ring, then install the special tool. Check and record
the pinion angle reading.
zIf the angle is not within specification, repair or adjust to obtain the correct angle. Inspect
the rear suspension, rear axle, rear axle mounting or the frame for wear or damage.
SECTION 205-
00: Driveline System — General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Anglemaster II Driveline
Inclinometer
164-
R2402 or equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Brake System
Refer to Wiring Diagrams Cell
60 , Instrument Cluster for schematic and connector information.
Refer to Wiring Diagrams Cell 97 , Daytime Running Lamps for schematic and connector information.
Inspection and Verification WARNING: Use of any other than the approved DOT 3 brake fluid will cause permanent
damage to brake components and will render the brakes inoperative.
WARNING: Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers and polyglycols. Avoid contact with
eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
CAUTION: Do not spill brake fluid onto painted surfaces. If spilled, wipe up immediately.
NOTE: Always check the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir (2K478) before performing
the test procedures. If the fluid level is not at the correct level, add High Performance DOT 3 Brake
Fluid C6AZ- 19542-AB or equivalent DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA- M6C25-A.
NOTE: Prior to performing any diagnosis, make sure the brake warning indicator is functional. For
additional information, refer to Section 413 - 01 .
The first indication that something may be wrong in the brake system is a change in the feeling through
the brake pedal (2455). The brake warning indicator in the instrument cluster and the brake fluid level SECTION 206-
00: Brake System — General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
73 Digital Multimeter
105-
R0051 or Equivalent ABS Brake and Pressure Test
Kit
107-
02350 or Equivalent Tire and Wheel Runout Gauge
Set
134-
00199 or Equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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