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
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
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MKZ (CC9) Wheels and Tires
WARNINGS
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 found on these
labels then you should contact
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. 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. If you
have questions regarding tire
replacement, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. To reduce the risk of injury,
when mounting replacement
tires and wheels, you should not
exceed the maximum pressure
indicated on the sidewall of the
tire to set the beads without
additional precautions listed
below. If the beads do not seat at
the maximum pressure indicated,
re-lubricate and try again WARNINGS
When inflating the tire for
mounting pressures up to 20 psi
(1.38 bar) greater than the
maximum pressure on the tire
sidewall, the following
precautions must be taken to
protect the person mounting the
tire:
1. Make sure that you have the
correct tire and wheel size.
2. Lubricate the tire bead and
wheel bead seat area again.
3. Stand at a minimum of 12 feet
(3.66 meters) away from the
wheel and tire assembly.
4. Use both eye and ear
protection.
For a mounting pressure more
than 20 psi (1.38 bar) greater than
the maximum pressure, a Ford
dealer or other tire service
professional should do the
mounting.
Always inflate steel carcass tires
with a remote air fill with the
person inflating standing at a
minimum of 12 feet (3.66 meters)
away from the wheel and tire
assembly 325
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and Tires
Important: Remember to replace
the wheel valve stems when the
road tires are replaced on your
vehicle
It is recommended that the two
front tires or two rear tires
generally be replaced as a pair.
The tire pressure sensors mounted
in the wheels (originally installed
on your vehicle) are not designed
to be used in aftermarket wheels.
The use of wheels or tires not
recommended by Ford Motor
Company may affect the
operation of your tire pressure
monitoring system.
If the TPMS indicator is flashing,
your TPMS is malfunctioning. Your
replacement tire might be
incompatible with your TPMS, or
some component of the TPMS
may be damaged.
Safety Practices
WARNINGS
If your vehicle is stuck in
snow, mud or sand, do not
rapidly 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. Do not spin the wheels at
over 35 mph (56 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander. 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
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 you cannot
detect a cause, have the vehicle
towed to the nearest repair facility
or tire dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
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MKZ (CC9) Wheels and Tires
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. Front-wheel
drive vehicles and those with an
optional independent rear
suspension may require alignment
of all four wheels.
You should balance the tires
periodically. An unbalanced tire
and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation
Note:
If your tires show uneven
wear ask an authorized dealer 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
wheel and tire assembly. 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. If you have a dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly 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.
Rotating your tires at the
recommended interval (as
indicated in the Scheduled
Maintenance chapter) will help
your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance
and longer tire life.
Front-wheel drive or all-wheel
drive vehicles (front tires on the
left side of the diagram) 327
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and TiresE142547
All vehicles with directional tires
(front tires on the left side of the
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can
be corrected by rotating the tires.
Summer Tires
Your Ford vehicle may be
equipped with summer tires to
provide superior performance on
wet and dry roads. Summer tires
do not have the Mud and Snow
(M+S or M/S) tire traction rating
on the tire side wall. Since
summer tires do not have the
same traction performance as
All-season or Snow tires, Ford
does not recommend using
summer tires when temperatures
drop to approximately 40°F (5°C)
or below (depending on tire wear
and environmental conditions) or
in snow and ice conditions. Like
any tire, summer tire performance is affected by tire wear and
environmental conditions. If you
must drive in those conditions,
Ford recommends using Mud and
Snow (M+S, M/S), All-season or
Snow tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS WARNINGS
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. 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. Snow chains have not been approved
for use on your vehicle.
The original equipment tires on your
vehicle may 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.
328
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and TiresE147237
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications
WARNING
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 wheel hub, brake drum or brake disc that contacts the wheel. Make sure
that any fasteners that attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they do not
interfere with the mounting surfaces of 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 your vehicle is in motion,
resulting in loss of control. Ib-ft (Nm)
*
Bolt size
100 (135)
M12 x 1.5
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and rust. Use only
Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 kilometers)
after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal). Wheel pilot bore
A
Inspect the wheel pilot bore and
mounting surface prior to
installation. Remove any visible
corrosion or loose particles.
329
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and TiresE145950
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a
normal operating characteristic and,
by itself, does not necessarily indicate
a concern or that the fluid needs to be
changed. However, a qualified expert,
such as the factory-trained
technicians at your dealership, should
inspect discolored fluids that also
show signs of overheating or foreign
material contamination immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle
’s
oils and fluids at the specified
intervals or in conjunction with a
repair. Flushing is a viable way to
change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems
are flushed only with new fluid that is
the same as that required to fill and
operate the system or using a
Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following
basic maintenance checks and
inspections every month or at
six-month intervals. Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level. Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
446
MKZ (CC9) Scheduled Maintenance
Check every six months
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running
right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked
regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection
performed at every scheduled
maintenance interval to help make
sure your vehicle keeps running great. Multi-point inspection
Hazard warning system operation
Accessory drive belt(s)
Horn operation
Battery performance
Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Engine air filter
Suspension components for leaks ordamage
Exhaust system
Steering and linkage
Exterior lamps operation
Tires for wear and proper pressure **
Fluid levels *
; fill if necessary
Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
For oil and fluid leaks
Washer spray and wiper operation
Half-shaft dust boots
* Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission and window washer
** If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant
expiration Use By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
447
MKZ (CC9) Scheduled Maintenance