2004 FORD RANGER spare wheel

Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility to check for and correct any wheel misalignment,
tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
“ wear bars ”, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
“ wear bars ”, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
• Fabric showing through the tire rubber
• Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
• Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
• Cracks in the tread groove
• Impact damage resulting from use
• Separation in the tread
• Separation in the sidewall
• Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
• Observe posted speed limits
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
222

•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If you vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, or directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35 mph) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there ’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
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. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
223

Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...62, 64–67
Safety defects, reporting ..........166
Safety restraints ..............62, 64 –67
belt minder ...............................69
extension assembly ..................69
for adults .............................64 –66
for children .........................83 –84
lap belt ......................................68
safety belt maintenance ...........73
warning light and chime ..........69
Safety seats for children ............87
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............62
Seats ............................................60 child safety seats ......................87
Servicing your vehicle ..............174
Setting the clock AM/FM stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................21
AM/FM stereo tape/CD/MP3 ....25
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................28
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........145
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................224, 231
Special notice ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................228, 231
Speed control ..............................47
Starting your vehicle ......96 –97, 99
jump starting ..........................151 Steering wheel
tilting .........................................46
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................46
Tires ...................................144, 212 changing ..........144 –145, 147, 151
snow tires and chains ............223
spare tire .................................144
tire grades ...............................213
treadwear ................................212
Towing .......................................121 recreational towing .................130
trailer towing ..........................121
wrecker ....................................156
Traction-lok rear axle ...............102
Transfer case fluid checking .........................210
Transmission automatic operation ...............103
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....103
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................209
fluid, refill capacities ..............225
lubricant specifications ..228, 231
manual operation ....................106
Turn signal ..................................39
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................231
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................234
Vehicle loading ..........................118 camper bodies ........................131
Ventilating your vehicle ...........100
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
243