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 chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains 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.
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
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification 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 authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
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•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.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as 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.
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
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
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•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
For vehicles equipped with 4WD, 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).
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size 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 full-size 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 full-size 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 full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............66
Seats ............................................60
child safety seats ......................90
front seats .................................60
Servicing your vehicle ..............207
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................20
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ..........22, 27
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........178
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................239, 247
Special notice ................................8
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................241
Speed control ..............................51
Starting your vehicle ........140–142
jump starting ..........................185
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ...........31, 33
Tilt steering wheel ......................45
Tires ...................................104–105
alignment ................................114
care ..........................................110
changing ..........................178–179
checking the pressure ............109
inflating ...................................106
label .........................................121
replacing ..........................112, 181
rotating ....................................114safety practices .......................113
sidewall information ...............116
snow tires and chains ............122
spare tire .........................176, 178
terminology .............................105
tire grades ...............................105
treadwear ........................104, 111
Towing .......................................128
recreational towing .................139
trailer towing ..........................128
wrecker ....................................191
Traction-lok rear axle ...............149
Transmission .............................151
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....151
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................234
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
lubricant specifications ..........241
Turn signal ..................................38
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................248
Vehicle loading ..........................122
Ventilating your vehicle ...........143
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................210
Water, Driving through .............162
Windows
power .........................................49
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................44
checking and adding fluid .....210
replacing wiper blades ...........210
Wrecker towing .........................191
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
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