2004 FORD EXPEDITION flat tire

Low tire warning:Illuminates
when the low tire warning system is
enabled. If the light remains on
while driving, the tire pressure
should be checked, refer toLow
tire warningin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If this
light fails to illuminate when ignition is turned to ON, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Warning Light display Customer Action
Warning light remains on•Check your tire pressure and
ensure your tires are properly
inflated.
•If your tires are inflated to the
manufacturers recommended air
pressure and the light remains on,
please have the system inspected
immediately by your servicing
dealership.
Warning light flashing (flashes
for 20 seconds either at start
up or while driving)•Your spare tire is in use. Repair the
road wheel to restore system function.
•If your tires are inflated to the
recommended air pressure, and your
spare tire is not in use, please have
the system inspected immediately by
your servicing dealership.
Low fuel:Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Low washer fluid (if equipped):
Illuminates when the windshield
washer fluid is low.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
Speed sensitive steering
Your vehicle is equipped with engine speed sensitive steering. At higher
engine speeds associated with high vehicle speed, the steering assist will
decrease to improve steering feel.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
maintaining a constant engine speed, have the power steering system
checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride comfort, vehicle
handling and general vehicle performance by adjusting the vehicle’s ride
height according to vehicle speed, weight added to or removed from the
vehicle and four-wheel drive (if equipped) operation. Normal vehicle
operation does not require any action by the driver.
When you enter the vehicle and the ignition is off, the air suspension will
have automatically lowered the vehicle to its lowest height to provide
easier entry. When a door or the liftgate is opened, the system
memorizes and maintains that height until either all doors are closed or
the vehicle’s speed exceeds 24 km/h (15 mph). The air suspension
system will then raise the vehicle’s height to its normal position when the
ignition is turned on, all doors are closed and the transmission is shifted
from P (Park).
When the vehicle is in motion, the air suspension will adjust the vehicle
ride height to normal operating position to maximize your ride comfort.
If your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and you shift into 4WD
LOW, the air suspension will not move to it’s lowest position; instead, the
ride height is raised above the normal ride height position (at speeds
below 40 km/h [25 mph]) to improve ground clearance.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
204

momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is the front drivetrain
coming up to speed and engaging the front wheels, and is not cause for
concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system, the system indicator light may illuminate depending on how
much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac
, press the AdvanceTrac

button (refer toAdvanceTrac
Stability Enhancement Systemin this
chapter) while driving in deep sand if you experience excessive engine
power reduction.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even four–wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
224

Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injury or death.
Make sure all road tires and road wheels on the vehicle are of the same
size, type, tread design and load carrying capacity (for information on
the spare tire, refer toChanging the Tiresin theRoadside
emergencieschapter). If you have questions regarding tire replacement,
see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your four–wheel drive for off-road
use with tires larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you
should not use these tires for highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased
risk of loss of vehicle control.
Do not use“aftermarket lift kits”or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
These“aftermarket lift kits”could adversely affect 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 highway driving because they are more
likely to blow out or fail.
You should carefully observe the recommended tire inflation pressure
found on the safety compliance certification label attached to the left
front door latch post pillar (a label may also be found on the fuel cap
filler door). Failure to follow tire pressure recommendations can
adversely affect the way your vehicle handles. Do not exceed the Ford
Motor Company recommended pressure even if it is less than the
maximum pressure allowed for the tire.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
227

Each day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires, and adjust if
required. Check tire pressure with a
tire gauge every few weeks
(including spare). Safe operation
requires tires that are neither
underinflated nor a vehicle which is
overloaded.
Periodically inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that may permit air leakage from the tire and make necessary
repairs.
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected
to determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
228

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000
km (36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies
239

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your tire pressure monitoring system
(if equipped).
Your vehicle may be equipped with a conventional spare tire that is
different in one or more of the following: type, brand, size, speed rating
and tread design. If this is the case, this dissimilar spare tire is still rated
for your vehicle loads (GAWR and GVWR). Your vehicle is equipped with
a spare wheel that does not match the road wheels and is not equipped
with a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensor.
Spare tire information
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), the system indicator light will illuminate when the spare
is in use. To restore the full functionality of the monitoring system, all
road wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring sensors must be
mounted on the vehicle
If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, have a flat tire serviced by a
dealer or qualified technician in order to prevent damage to the TPMS
sensor. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Item Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack tools and jacking instructions Under the access panel located in
the floor compartment behind the
rear seat
Removing the jack and tools
1. Open the liftgate, then locate the access panel on the floor behind the
3rd row seat. Unlatch and remove the panel.
2. Remove the jack and tools assembly tray from the compartment by
turning the wing-nut counterclockwise to relieve tension against the jack
assembly tray.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
253

•Never use the front or rear differential as a jacking point.
6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
7. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown and
reinstall the wheel cover.
10. Unblock the wheels.
11. Put flat tire, jack, lug wrench
and tools away. Make sure the jack
is fastened securely so it does not
rattle when you drive.
12. Turn on the air suspension
switch (if equipped).
Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground, near the rear of the vehicle, with the valve
stem side facing up.
2. Slide the wheel partially under
the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. After
doing so, pull on the cable to align
the components at the end of the
cable.
3. Assemble the jack handle and
winch extension (as shown in
illustration), then insert the winch
extension through the access hole
behind the 3rd row seat and engage
the winch.
4. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The
wrench will become harder to turn and the spare tire winch will ratchet
or slip when the tire is raised to maximum tightness. A clicking sound
will be heard from the winch indicating that the tire is properly stowed.
2004 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
257