2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR tires

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
²do not brake heavily.
²gradually decrease the vehicle's speed.
²hold the steering wheel firmly.
²slowly 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).
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (if
equipped)in theMaintenance and specificationssection for
important information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes
damaged, it will no longer function.
Spare tire information
Your spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) sensor. The tire pressure monitoring system indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore full functionality of the
monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have flat tires 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.
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different
diameter than the road tires should not be used. Such a tire
could make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage
to driveline components.
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243

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between gears occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
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291

BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the ªMAXº line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, (i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly) or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
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:
²Treadwear 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,
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296

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.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
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297

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
²Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
²Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacturer.
²Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
²Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tires
load carrying capability.
²Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase
the tires load carrying capability.
²kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
²PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
²B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
²Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
²Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
²Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
²Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.
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298

Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure as indicated in the vehicle's tire
information placard. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability. Each tire should be checked monthly, the
spare tire every six months. Tire pressure should be set when cold to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the vehicle placard and
owner's manual.
Note:This vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) which monitors tire pressure in each pneumatic tire. The
pressure in each tire is dependent upon several factors, one of them
being the contained air temperature (temperature of the air inside the
tire). As the contained air temperature increases, the tire pressure also
increases. While driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger tire
inflation pressure may increase approximately 14 to 28 kPa (2 to 4 psi)
from a cold start situation. This increase in tire pressure is due to an
increase in the contained air temperature. Contained air temperature is
dependent upon several factors such as rate of tire rotation, tire
deflection, amount of braking, etc. In similar manner, the tire pressure
will decrease if the contained air temperature decreases. For example, if
the vehicle is stationary over night with the outside temperature
significantly lower than the daytime temperature, the tire pressure may
decrease approximately 20.7 kPa (3 psi) for a drop of 16.6É C (30É F) in
ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may be detected by the
TPMS as being significantly lower than the cold placard pressure, and
activate the TPMS warning for low tire pressure. If the low warning light
is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more
tires are flat, repair of fix as necessary. If all tires appear to be inflated,
carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest location where air can be added
to the tires. Turn the ignition to the ªoffº position. Inflate all the tires to
the recommended cold pressure.
The system uses radio-frequency to monitor the tire pressure on all tires
excluding the spare tire. The sensors transmit the tire pressure readings
to the receiver module located in the vehicle. The receiver module then
electronically transmits the status to the message center. For more tire
warning information, refer to theMessage Centerin theDriver controls
chapter.
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299

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and with RS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be
checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge, see
Checking the tire pressurein this chapter. Failure to properly
maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss
of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Changing tires with TPMS
It is recommended that you always
have your tires serviced by a dealer
or qualified technician.Each road
tire is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted on the
wheel inside the tire connected
to the valve stem. The tire
pressure sensor must be unbolted from the wheel prior to tire
removal. The sensor can be removed by loosening the nut at the
valve stem. Failure to remove the sensor may damage it.The
rubber grommet (washer) between the wheel and the tire pressure
sensor needs to be replaced when any tire is changed to minimize air
leaks.
The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using
a tire gauge, refer toChecking the tire pressurein this chapter.
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized
information on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and
describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a
tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of
a recall.
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300

Information on ªPº type tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a
tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index and speed
rating for your vehicle may be
different than this example.)
1.P:Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that maybe used for
service on cars, SUVs, minivans and
light trucks.
Note:If your tire size does not
begin with a letter this may mean it
is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association).
2.215:Indicates the nominal width of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
3.65:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire's ratio of height to
width.
4.R:Indicates a ªradialº type tire.
5.15:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
6.95:Indicates the tire's load index. It is an index that relates to how
much weight a tire can carry. You may find this information in your
owner's guide. If not, contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.
7.H:Indicates the tire's speed rating. The speed rating denotes the
speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of
time under a standard condition of load and inflation pressure. The tires
on your vehicle may operate at different conditions for load and inflation
pressure. These speed ratings may need to be adjusted for the difference
in conditions. The ratings range from 159 km/h (99 mph) to 299 km/h
(186 mph). These ratings are listed in the following chart.
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301