2005 FORD MUSTANG spare wheel

TIRE CARE
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can also cause tires to wear
abnormally. Here are some of the important maintenance items:
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
1/16th of an inch (2 mm), 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 1/16th of
an inch (2 mm). When the tire tread
wears down to the same height as
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.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
131

Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•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 your 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.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h) 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 tires for damage. If a 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.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
and those with an independent rear suspension (if equipped) may
require alignment of all four wheels.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
132

•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive
(4WD)/ All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire
rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
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.
2005 05+ Mustang(197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
134

Safety restraints ..............80, 84–88
belt minder ...............................90
extension assembly ..................93
for adults .............................85 –88
for children .............................104
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................82
safety belt maintenance ...........94
warning light and chime ..........89
Safety seats for children ..........107
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............80
Seats ............................................76 child safety seats ....................107
front seats .................................77
Servicing your vehicle ..............189
Setting the clock AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................24
Spark plugs, specifications ......219, 224–225
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................222, 224
Speed control ..............................47
Starting your vehicle .......143 –144,
147
jump starting ..........................167
Steering wheel tilting .........................................43
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................43
Tires ...........................116 –117, 121
alignment ................................132
care ..........................................131
changing ..........................121 –122
checking the pressure ............119
inspecting and inflating .........118 label .........................................130
replacing ..................................121
rotating ....................................133
safety practices .......................132
sidewall information ...............125
snow tires and chains ............134
spare tire .................................121
terminology .............................117
tire grades ...............................117
treadwear ........................116, 131
Towing .......................................140 recreational towing .................142
trailer towing ..........................140
wrecker ....................................172
Traction control ........................150
Traction-lok rear axle ...............151
Transmission automatic operation ...............151
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....151
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................217
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................218
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
lubricant specifications ..222, 224
manual operation ....................156
Trunk ...........................................65 remote release ..........................68
Turn signal ..................................35
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................225
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................227
Vehicle loading ..........................135
Ventilating your vehicle ...........147
2005 05+ Mustang (197)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)
Index
235