2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, as per yourscheduled maintenance
information),or at any time that the spare tire is disturbed through
service of other components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
lb.ft. N•m
M14 x 2.0 150 200
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the front disc brake hub and rotor that contacts the
wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the
wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of
control.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
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USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
130
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.
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
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
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USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
136
•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.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
137
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance information that comes with your vehicle) will
help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and
longer tire life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
•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.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
138
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 (2.0 gallons [7.5L], maximum two occurrences within 12
month period)
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents, are covered (some
exclusions apply, such as impound towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment. In Canada, the card is
found in theOwner Information Guidein the glove compartment.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
174
Power Windows ...........................40
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................157
R
Radio ............................................16
Relays ........................................176
Remote entry system .................65
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors ...........63
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................68
Reverse sensing system ...........162
Roadside assistance ..................174
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............96
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................82, 86–89, 91
Safety defects, reporting ..........197
Safety restraints ..............82, 86–91
extension assembly ..................96
for adults .............................87–89
for children .............................105
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................84
safety belt maintenance ...........96
warning light and chime ..........91
Safety seats for children ..........108
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............82
Seats ............................................78
child safety seats ....................108
heated ..................................21, 80
memory seat .......................67, 80SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................76
Servicing your vehicle ..............204
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................17
Snowplowing .........................6, 173
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........126
Spark plugs, specifications ......234,
239–240
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................237, 239
Speed control ..............................44
Starting your vehicle .......151–152,
154
jump starting ..........................183
Steering wheel
controls ......................................46
tilting .........................................35
T
Tailgate ........................................60
Tires ...................................119–120
alignment ................................137
care ..........................................135
changing ..........................126–127
checking the pressure ............122
inspecting and inflating .........121
label .........................................135
replacing ..................................124
rotating ....................................138
safety practices .......................136
sidewall information ...............131
snow tires and chains ............139
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
250
spare tire .................................125
terminology .............................120
tire grades ...............................120
treadwear ........................119, 135
Towing .......................................146
recreational towing .................150
trailer towing ..........................146
Traction-lok rear axle ...............157
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................232
Transmission .............................157
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....157
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................229
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
lubricant specifications ..237, 239
Turn signal ..................................27
V
Vehicle dimensions ...........240–241Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
..........................................242
Vehicle loading
..........................139
Ventilating your vehicle
...........154
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................207
Water, Driving through
.............172
Windows
power
.........................................40
power down back window
.......41
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................34
checking and adding fluid
.....207
replacing wiper blades
.............34
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
251