Page 110 of 256

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 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
110
Page 157 of 256

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 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
157
Page 253 of 256

electronic shift ........................148
indicator light .........................148
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................141
Fuel ............................................218
calculating fuel economy .......224
cap ...........................................221
capacity ...................................237
choosing the right fuel ...........222
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................226
detergent in fuel .....................222
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................218, 221, 224
filter, specifications ........218, 236
fuel pump shut-off switch .....159
improving fuel economy ........224
octane rating ...................223, 243
quality ......................................223
running out of fuel .................223
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................218
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......159
Fuses ..................................160–161
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............221
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................224
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................159
Headlamps ...................................39
aiming ........................................41
bulb specifications ....................43
daytime running lights .............40
flash to pass ..............................39high beam .................................39
replacing bulbs .........................44
turning on and off ....................39
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................36–37
Hood ..........................................200
I
Ignition ...............................135, 243
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..92
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................228
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................196
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and interior .40
J
Jack ............................................170
positioning .......................170, 175
storage .............................170, 173
Jump-starting your vehicle ......178
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........135
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................43
daytime running light ...............40
fog lamps ...................................40
headlamps .................................39
headlamps, flash to pass ..........39
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
253