2005 Mercury Montego snow chains

the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by Ford. If the
dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be replaced rather
than repaired.
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a dissimilar spare tire/wheel 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
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
137

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
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
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE class “S” cables or equivalent on the front axle for
P215/60R17 equipped vehicles. SAE class “S” chains or other
conventional link chains may cause damage to the vehicles wheel
house and/or body. Use of optional spike spider type traction devices
or equivalent is also acceptable.
•Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the
rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or
body.
•Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with
optional P225/55R18 tires.
•Install cable chains securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cables. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
151

•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire cables on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables on your vehicle.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Safety Certification Label and Tire Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
152

Reverse sensing system ...........173
Roadside assistance ..................182
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........106
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .94, 97–101
Safety Canopy ...........................116
Safety defects, reporting ..........206
Safety restraints ............94, 97–101
belt minder .............................102
extension assembly ................106
for adults ...........................98–100
for children .....................119–120
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................95
safety belt maintenance .........106
warning light and chime ........101
Safety seats for children ..........122
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............94
Seats ............................................87
child safety seats ....................122
front seats .....................87, 89, 91
heated ........................................28
memory seat .......................75, 91
Servicing your vehicle ..............213
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................20
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...........135, 138
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................241, 247
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................245, 247
Speed control ..............................48Starting your
vehicle ........................162–163, 165
jump starting ..........................191
Steering wheel
controls ......................................51
tilting .........................................42
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................42
Tires ...........................130–131, 135
alignment ................................149
care ..........................................147
changing ..........................135, 138
checking the pressure ............133
inspecting and inflating .........132
label .........................................147
replacing ..................................134
rotating ....................................149
safety practices .......................148
sidewall information ...............142
snow tires and chains ............151
spare tire .................................136
terminology .............................131
tire grades ...............................131
treadwear ........................130, 147
Towing .......................................158
recreational towing .................161
trailer towing ..........................158
wrecker ....................................196
Traction control ........................167
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............242
lubricant specifications ..........247
Transmission .............................169
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....169
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................239
lubricant specifications ..........245
Trunk ...........................................71
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Index
257