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H.U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN):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.
I.M+S or M/S:Mud and Snow, or
AT:All Terrain, or
AS:All Season.
J.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
K.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. See 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), for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
L.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1 2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Wheels and Tires217
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USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use
of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension,
axle, transfer case or power transfer unit failure.
WARNING:Do not use snow chains or cables on this vehicle as
they may cause damage to your vehicle which may lead to loss of
vehicle control.
The original equipment tires on your vehicle have an all-weather tread
design to provide traction, handling and braking performance in
year-round driving. You may install snow tires for improved traction
when driving in areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving
conditions.
If you choose to install snow tires on your vehicle, they must be the
same size, construction, and load range as the original tires listed on the
tire placard, and they must be installed on all four wheels. Mixing tires of
different size or construction on your vehicle can adversely affect your
vehicle’s handling and braking, and may lead to loss of vehicle control.
228Wheels and Tires
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USA(fus)
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Distraction Hazard
Any navigation features may require manual (non-verbal) setup.
Attempting to perform such set-up or insert data while driving can
seriously distract your attention and could cause an accident or other
serious consequences. Stop the vehicle in a safe and legal manner before
attempting these operations.
Let Your Judgment Prevail
Any navigation features are provided only as an aid. Make your driving
decisions based on your observations of local conditions and existing
traffic regulations. Any such feature is not a substitute for your personal
judgment. Any route suggestions made by this system should never
replace any local traffic regulations or your personal judgment or
knowledge of safe driving practices.
Route Safety
Do not follow the route suggestions if doing so would result in an unsafe
or illegal maneuver, if you would be placed in an unsafe situation, or if
you would be directed into an area that you consider unsafe. The driver
is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and
therefore, must evaluate whether it is safe to follow the suggested
directions.
Potential Map Inaccuracy
Maps used by this system may be inaccurate because of changes in
roads, traffic controls or driving conditions. Always use good judgment
and common sense when following the suggested routes.
Emergency Services
Do not rely on any navigation features included in the system to route
you to emergency services. Ask local authorities or an emergency
services operator for these locations. Not all emergency services such as
police, fire stations, hospitals and clinics are likely to be contained in the
map database for such navigation features.
314Appendices
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USA(fus)
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T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................195
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................94
Text messaging .........................281
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....282, 284
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tires ...........................212–213, 235
alignment ................................226
care ..........................................212
changing ..........................235, 237
checking the pressure ............222
inflating ...................................220
label .........................................219
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................227
safety practices .......................226
sidewall information ...............215
snow tires and chains ............228
spare tire .................................235
terminology .............................214
tire grades ...............................213
treadwear ........................212, 223
Towing ...............................143–144
recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................143
wrecker ....................................143
Traction control ........................127
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....123fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Trunk
remote release ..........................58
Turn signal ..................................72
U
USB port ......................................93
Using privacy mode ..................278
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................246
Vehicle loading ..........................137
Ventilating your vehicle ...........110
Voice commands in media
mode ..........................................290
Voice commands in phone
mode ..........................................276
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......79
Washer fluid ......................184–185
Water, Driving through .............146
Windows
power .........................................74
rear wiper/washer .....................69
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and
adding fluid
......................184–185
replacing wiper blades ...........187
Wrecker towing .........................143
320Index
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)