Page 173 of 336

It is recommended that the two front tires or two rear tires generally be
replaced as a pair.
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 an authorized 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 an authorized dealer.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
173
Page 234 of 336

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or
36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire
inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle.
•winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
•towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $100 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
234
Page 331 of 336

checking and adding ..............280
dipstick ....................................280
filter, specifications ........283, 312
recommendations ...................283
refill capacities ........................313
specifications ..................316, 319
Exhaust fumes ..........................204
F
Fail safe cooling ........................290
Floor mats ...................................93
Fluid capacities .........................313
Foglamps .....................................55
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......219
driving off road .......................223
electronic shift ................221–222
indicator light .........................219
lever operated shift ................220
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................209
Fuel ............................................292
calculating fuel
economy ............................87, 297
cap ...........................................294
capacity ...................................313
choosing the right fuel ...........295
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................300
detergent in fuel .....................296
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................292, 294, 297
filter, specifications ........292, 312
fuel pump shut-off switch .....237
improving fuel economy ........297
octane rating ...................296, 319
quality ......................................296
running out of fuel .................297
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................292Fuel pump shut-off switch .......237
Fuses ..................................237–238
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................78
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............294
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................297
Gauges .........................................19
H
Hazard flashers .........................236
Head restraints .................111, 115
Headlamps ...................................53
aiming ..................................55–56
autolamp system .......................53
bulb specifications ....................59
daytime running lights .............54
flash to pass ..............................54
high beam .................................54
replacing bulbs .........................60
turning on and off ....................53
Heating
heater only system ...................43
heating and air
conditioning system .....44, 46, 49
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................78
Hood ..........................................275
I
Ignition ...............................201, 319
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................150
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
331