•Narrower—to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, SUV’s and trucks often
will have a higher center of gravity
and a greater difference in center of
gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition.
These differences that make your
vehicle so versatile also make it
handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
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:
•Treadwear 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,
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
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Every 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.
At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge (including spare, if equipped).
Inflate all tires to the inflation
pressure recommended by Ford
Motor Company.
Inspecting your tires
Periodically inspect the tire treads for uneven or excessive wear 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.
Also inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If
internal damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and
inspected in case it needs to be repaired or replaced. For your safety,
tires that are damaged should not be used because they are more likely
to blow out or fail. Tires can be damaged during off-road use, so
inspection after off-road use is also recommended.
Inflating your tires
When checking the air pressure in your tires, make sure that you
carefully attach the air pressure gauge/air hose to the tire’s valve
stem directly on top of the valve stem. If you bend the valve stem, it
may become damaged and cause an air leak.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare
(if equipped), at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly
urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a digital or dial
type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick type tire pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
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when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air
pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never“bleed”or reduce air
pressure when tires are hot.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire
gauge onto the valve and measure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach the recommended air pressure
Note:If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in
the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires. Check the tire label on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver’s door
for the recommended spare tire pressure.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts or bulges.
TIRE REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide a safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size
and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure. If
you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford
or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating 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, personal
injury and death.
The tire pressure monitoring sensors mounted in the wheels (originally
installed on your vehicle) are not designed to be used in after market
wheels.
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The installation of replacement tires with steel cord body plies in the tire
sidewall may cause malfunction of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), and is not recommended (cord material information is molded
on the tire sidewall). Additionally, if your vehicle was originally equipped
with run-flat tires, replacing them with tires that are not identical to
those originally fitted may cause malfunction of the TPMS, and is not
recommended. Run-flat tires should not be used to replace regular tires.
Always check your TPMS indicator immediately after replacing one or
more tires on your vehicle. If the TPMS indicator is on, your TPMS is
malfunctioning. Your replacement tire might be incompatible with your
TPMS system, or some component of the TPMS system may be damaged.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•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).
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (if
equipped)later in this chapter for important information. If the tire
pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer function.
Your spare tire is not equipped with
a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) sensor.
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.
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If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, have a flat serviced by a dealer or
a qualified technician in order to prevent damage to the TPMS sensor.
Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
Temporary Emergency Spare Tire Information
Your vehicle may be equipped with a temporary emergency spare tire.
This tire may be a T-type/mini-spare tire which will have the words
“Temporary Use Only”molded into the tire sidewall or it may be a full
size dissimilar spare tire/wheel that is different in brand, size or
appearance from the road tire, which will be identified with a“Caution”
label on the wheel. Both of these spare tires are considered“temporary”.
Replace these temporary emergency spare tires on the vehicle with a tire
of the same size, speed rating and load carrying capacity as the other
road tires as soon as possible.
It is not recommended that the vehicle be operated in 4WD modes with
a temporary emergency spare tire. If 4WD operation is necessary, do not
operate above speeds of 10 mph (16 km/h) or for distances above 50
miles (80 km).
When driving with the temporary emergency spare tiredo not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Exceed 2000 miles (3200 km)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains
•Use more than one temporary emergency spare tire
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the temporary emergency spare tire
Use of a temporary emergency spare tire at any one wheel location can
lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
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Conventional spare tire information
If you have the spare tire that is the same size as your other road tires,
you can use the spare as you would any of the other tires. The spare tire
will be equivalent to your road tires, although it may not have the same
appearance (black-side wall instead of outlined-white letters).
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack, jack handle, wheel nut
wrenchRegular Cab: behind the passenger
seat, underneath the jack and tools
cover on the floor
SuperCab: stowed in the passenger
side rear cab under the plastic tray
inside the storage bin or behind
the jump seat in a separate tool
bag
Four-door models: stowed behind
the front seats, between jump
seats and underneath jack and
tools cover.
Key, spare tire lock (if equipped) In the glove box
Removing the spare tire
1. Assemble the jack handle to the lug wrench as shown in the
illustrations.
When connecting the jack handle, assemble the following:
•one handle extension and one
typical extension. To assemble,
slide parts together. To
disconnect, depress button and
pull apart.
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•one wheel nut wrench. Depress
button and slide together.
2. If equipped, unlock and remove
the spare tire carrier lock from the
rear access hole located just above
the rear bumper and below the
tailgate.
3. Insert the straight end of the jack
handle into the rear access hole
located just above the rear bumper
and below the tailgate.
Forward motion will stop and
resistance to turning will be felt
when properly engaged.
4. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground
and the cable is slightly slack.
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5. With the spare tire on the ground,
remove the retainer from the spare
tire.
Tire change procedure
To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire,
be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions)
the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the
vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and place gearshift
lever in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
2. Set the parking brake and turn
engine OFF.
3. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
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