
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originallyprovided byFord Motor Companybecause it can affect
the safetyand performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injuryor death.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions
regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4WD for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford Motor Companyrecommends, you should not use
these tires for highwaydriving.
If you use anytire/wheel combination not recommended byFord Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure.
Do not use “aftermarket lift kits” or other suspension modifications,
whether or not theyare used with larger tires and wheels.
These “aftermarket lift kits” could adverselyaffect the vehicle’s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highwaydriving because theyare more
likelyto blow out or fail.
You should carefullyobserve the recommended tire inflation pressure
found on the safetycompliance certification label attached to the left
front door lock facing or door latch post pillar. Failure to follow tire
pressure recommendations can adverselyaffect the wayyour vehicle
handles. Do not exceed the Ford Motor Companyrecommended pressure
even if it is less than the maximum pressure allowed for the tire.
Driving
123

Book. These instructions are available through your Ford dealer; they
include the list of vehicle models recommended for snowplowing and
snowplow weight limits. Use of the Snowplow Package Option, or its
equivalent, along with these instructions will help avoid possible
powertrain and chassis damage from snowplowing.
The front and rear GAWR, GVWR, Total AccessoryReserve Capacity
(TARC) and tire inflation pressures are found on the SafetyCompliance
Certification Label located on one of the vehicle’s door jambs. This label
is applied to all vehicles completed byFord Motor Company. Incomplete
vehicles built byFord Motor Companywill have an Incomplete Vehicle
Label in place of the SafetyCompliance Label. The TARC does not apply
to Incomplete Vehicles and will not be shown on the Incomplete Vehicle
Label. The weight of the vehicle with occupants must never exceed the
front and rear GAWR or the GVWR.
The TARC is the weight of the permanentlyattached equipment that can
be added to the vehicle without violating the vehicle’s SafetyCompliance
Certification. This includes the snowplow mounting hardware but does
not include the removable portion of the snowplow assembly.
Installing the snowplow
Read the following instructions before installing a snowplow:
•Front GAWR must not exceed 63% of the GVW. Add ballast weight to
the back of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find your vehicle’s front GAWR.
•
The Front Axle AccessoryReserve Capacityand the TARC listed on the
bottom right of the SafetyCompliance Certification Label will determine
whether or not the addition of a snowplow will overload your vehicle.
•The weight of the snowplow and supporting components distributed to
the front axle must not exceed the Front Axle AccessoryReserve
Capacity.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not exceed the TARC.
•The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed
on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be
considered part of the payload and must not exceed the GCWR for
towing.
•Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
Driving
149

•Tires have their maximum inflation pressure and associated load rating
imprinted on the tire sidewall. This pressure mayor maynot be the
same as that shown as recommended on the vehicle. The vehicle
operator mayhave to adjust the tire inflation pressure to
accommodate the snowplow and payload. Consult your dealer or
equipment installer for help with proper inflation pressures.
•Federal and some local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
•After installing a snowplow to the vehicle, ensure the vehicle’s front
toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if
required). These specifications are located in the vehicle’s Workshop
Manual.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Removing snowplow
After removing a snowplow from the vehicle, ensure the vehicle’s front toe
alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if required).
Snowplowing with your air bag-equipped vehicle
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver and passenger air bag
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) The SRS is designed to activate in
certain frontal and offset frontal collisions when the vehicle sustains
sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
Careless or high speed driving while plowing snow which results in
sufficient vehicle decelerations can deploythe air bag. Such driving also
increases the risk of accidents.
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
properlywear their safetybelts, even when an air bag (SRS) is
provided.
Never remove or defeat the “tripping mechanisms” designed into the
snow removal equipment byits manufacturer. Doing so maycause
damage to the vehicle and the snow removal equipment as well as
possible air bag deployment.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modifythe Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or
Lincoln Mercurydealer.
Driving
150

which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
SafetyStandard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratorytest wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properlyinflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separatelyor in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check 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).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Improperlyinflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

Tire inflation information
The F450 and F550 vehicles are equipped with a tire that is an all-steel
radial. All-steel radial tires utilize steel cords in the sidewalls, and also
require increased inflation pressures of up to 95 psi. As such, they
cannot be treated like normal light truck tires. Tire service, including
adjusting tire pressure, must be performed bypersonnel trained,
supervised and equipped according to Federal Occupational Safetyand
Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For example, during any
procedure involving tire inflation, the technician or individual must
utilize a remote inflation device, and insure that all persons are clear of
the trajectoryarea.
WARNINGAn inflated tire and rim can be verydangerous if
improperlyused, serviced or maintained. To avoid serious injury,
never attempt to re-inflate a tire which has been run flat or seriously
under-inflated without first removing the tire from the wheel assembly
for inspection. Do not attempt to add air to tires or replace tires or
wheels without first taking precautions to protect persons and
property.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure y our 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.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheel.
Maintenance and Specifications
224

•DRW – Six tire rotation
If your vehicle is equipped with dual
rear wheels it is recommended that
front and rear tires (in pairs) be
rotated onlyside to side, with the
rear tires maintaining original
vehicle position. After tire rotation,
inflation pressures must be adjusted
for the tires new positions in
accordance with vehicle
requirements.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads. Due to exposure to the
elements and exhaust you should
replace the spare tire when you
replace the other tires.
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 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 affected which can lead to loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
226