
When the tread is worn down to one
sixteenth of an inch (2 mm), tires must be
replaced to help 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 one
sixteenth 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 must be replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads and
sidewalls for damage (such as bulges in
the tread or sidewalls, cracks in the tread
groove and separation in the tread or
sidewall). If damage is observed or
suspected have the tire inspected by a tire
professional. Tires can be damaged during
off-road use, so inspection after off-road
use is also recommended.
Age
WARNING
Tires degrade over time depending
on many factors such as weather,
storage conditions, and conditions
of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, etc.)
the tires experience throughout their lives.
In general, tires should be replaced after
six years regardless of tread wear.
However, heat caused by hot climates or
frequent high loading conditions can
accelerate the aging process and may
require tires to be replaced more
frequently.
You should replace your spare tire when
you replace the road tires or after six years
due to aging even if it has not been used.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN)
Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations
require tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall
of all tires. This information identifies and
describes the fundamental characteristics
of the tire and also provides a U.S. DOT
Tire Identification Number for safety
standard certification and in case of a
recall.
This begins with the letters DOT and
indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters
are the plant code designating where it
was manufactured, the next two are the
tire size code and the last four numbers
represent the week and year the tire was
built. For example, the numbers 317 mean
the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the
numbers go to four digits. For example,
2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The
numbers in between are identification
codes used for traceability. This
information is used to contact customers
if a tire defect requires a recall.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
designed to provide a safe ride and
handling capability.
WARNINGS
Only use replacement tires and
wheels that are the same size, load
index, speed rating and type (such
as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season
versus all-terrain) as those originally
provided by Ford. The recommended tire
and wheel size may be found on either the
Safety Compliance Certification Label
(affixed to either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge that
meets the door-latch post, next to the
driver's seating position), or the Tire Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or edge of
the driver ’s door. If this information is not
253
Wheels and Tires

How Temperature Affects your Tire
Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system
monitors tire pressure in each pneumatic
tire. While driving in a normal manner, a
typical passenger tire inflation pressure
may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi (14
to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. If
the vehicle is stationary overnight with the
outside temperature significantly lower
than the daytime temperature, the tire
pressure may decrease approximately 3
psi (21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F (17°C) in
ambient temperature. This lower pressure
value may be detected by the TPMS as
being significantly lower than the
recommended inflation pressure and
activate the TPMS warning light for low
tire pressure. If the low tire pressure
warning light is on, visually check each tire
to verify that no tire is flat. (If one or more
tires are flat, repair as necessary.) Check
air pressure in the road tires. If any tire is
under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle
to the nearest location where air can be
added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to
the recommended inflation pressure.
CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL
WARNINGS
The use of tire sealants may damage
your tire pressure monitoring system
and should not be used. However, if
you must use a sealant, the tire pressure
monitoring system sensor and valve stem
on the wheel must be replaced by an
authorized Ford dealer.
See Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (page 257). for important
information. If the tire pressure
monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will
no longer function.
Note: The tire pressure monitoring system
indicator light will illuminate when the spare
tire is in use. To restore the full functionality
of the monitoring system, all road wheels
equipped with tire pressure monitoring
sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not
apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease your speed. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized
dealer in order to prevent damage to the
tire pressure monitoring system sensors.
See Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(page 257). Replace the spare tire with a
road tire as soon as possible. During
repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have
the authorized dealer inspect the tire
pressure monitoring system sensor for
damage.
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire
Assembly Information
WARNING
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 wheel and
tire, 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 wheel and tire assembly 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 wheel and tire assembly
is defined as a spare wheel and tire
assembly that is different in brand, size or
appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
260
Wheels and Tires

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 WHEEL AND
TIRE ASSEMBLY FOR TEMPORARY USE
ONLY.
When driving with one of the dissimilar
spare tires listed above, do not:
• Exceed 50 miles per hour (80
kilometers per hour)
• 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:
• 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).
3. Full-size dissimilar spare without
label on wheel When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly,
do not:
• Exceed 70 miles per hour (113
kilometers per hour).
• Use more than one dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly at a time.
• Use commercial car washing
equipment.
• Use snow chains on the end of the
vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel
and tire assembly.
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly 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 wheel and tire assembly 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 wheel and tire assembly
and seek service as soon as possible.
261
Wheels and Tires

Scheduled Maintenance..........................396Engine Coolant Change Record.................... 410
Exceptions........................................................... 409
General Maintenance Information.............396
Normal Scheduled Maintenance................399
Special Operating Conditions...................... 405
Seats...................................................................121
Security..............................................................62
Side Airbags.....................................................40
Sitting in the Correct Position...................121
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 256
Special Notices.................................................11 New Vehicle Limited Warranty.......................... 11
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucks and Utility Type Vehicles........................................ 12
Special Instructions............................................... 11
Using Your Vehicle as an Ambulance............12
Using Your Vehicle With a Snowplow............12
Speed Control See: Cruise Control............................................. 170
Stability Control............................................159 Principle of Operation....................................... 159
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch........................................... 135
Starting a Gasoline Engine........................137 Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes................138
Important Ventilating Information...............138
Starting and Stopping the Engine..........135 General Information.......................................... 135
Steering............................................................176 Electric Power Steering..................................... 176
Steering Wheel...............................................64
Storage Compartments.............................134
Sun Visors..........................................................77 Illuminated Vanity Mirror.................................... 77
Supplementary Restraints System.........35 Principle of Operation......................................... 35
Symbols Glossary.............................................7
SYNC® Applications and Services.......295 911 Assist............................................................... 295
SYNC Services: Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI)......................................... 298
Vehicle Health Report...................................... 297
SYNC®.............................................................279 General Information.......................................... 279
SYNC® Troubleshooting..........................308 T
Technical Specifications
See: Capacities and Specifications.............267
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only).......................203
Tire Care..........................................................245 Glossary of Tire Terminology........................ 246
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................................................. 245
Information Contained on the Tire Sidewall........................................................... 246
Temperature A B C............................................ 245
Traction AA A B C............................................... 245
Treadwear............................................................. 245
Tire Pressure Monitoring System...........257 Changing Tires with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System....................................... 258
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................... 258
Tire Pressures See: Technical Specifications....................... 265
Tires See: Wheels and Tires..................................... 243
Towing a Trailer.............................................188
Towing Points.................................................191 Installing the Towing Eye.................................. 191
Towing Eye Location........................................... 191
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.............191
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels...........................................................192
Emergency Towing............................................. 192
Recreational Towing.......................................... 193
Towing..............................................................188
Traction Control............................................158 Principle of Operation....................................... 158
Trailer Sway Control....................................188
Transmission Code Designation............270
Transmission ...................................................147
Transporting the Vehicle............................192
Trip Computer.................................................86 All Value................................................................... 87
Average Fuel........................................................... 87
Fuel Used................................................................. 87
Resetting the Trip Computer........................... 86
Trip Odometer....................................................... 86
Trip Timer................................................................ 86
420
Index