INFLATING YOUR TIRES
Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check your tires. If one looks lower than the
others, use a tire gauge to check pressure of all tires and adjust if
required.
At least once a month and before long trips, inspect each tire and check
the tire pressure with a tire gauge (including spare, if equipped). Inflate
all tires to the inflation pressure recommended by Ford Motor Company.
WARNING:Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire
failures and may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation
or blowout, with unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk
of injury. Under-inflation increases sidewall flexing and rolling
resistance, resulting in heat build-up and internal damage to the tire. It
also may result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of vehicle
control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and
not appear to be flat!
You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic
service station gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a
digital or dial-type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick-type tire
pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
Always inflate your tires to the Ford recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Ford recommended tire inflation pressure is found on
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 Tire Label which is located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your vehicle handles.
Maximum Inflation Pressureis the tire manufacturer’s maximum
permissible pressure or the pressure at which the maximum load can be
carried by the tire. This pressure is normally higher than the
manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure, which can be found
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on 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 Tire Label which is located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation
pressure should never be set lower than the recommended pressure on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also
change. A 10°F (6°C) temperature drop can cause a corresponding drop
of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures
frequently and adjust them to the proper pressure which can be found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving
even a mile.
Note:If you are checking tire pressure when the tire is hot (for
example, driven more than 1 mile [1.6 kilometers]), never bleed or
reduce air pressure. The tires are hot from driving and it is normal for
pressures to increase above recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at
or below recommended cold inflation pressure could be significantly
under-inflated.
Note:If you have to drive a distance to get air for your tire(s), check
and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure
when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air
pressure inside to go up as you drive.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire
gauge onto the valve and measure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach the recommended air pressure.
Note:If you overfill the tire, release air by pressing on the metal stem in
the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires operate at a higher inflation pressure than the
other tires. For T-type mini-spare tires, see theDissimilar Spare Tire
and Wheel Assembly Informationsection. Store and maintain at 60 psi
(4.15 bar). For full-size and dissimilar spare tires, seeDissimilar Spare
Tire and Wheel Assembly InformationunderChanging a Road Wheel
in this chapter. Store and maintain at the higher of the front and rear
inflation pressure as shown on the Tire Label.
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6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects
embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts or bulges.
Tire Inflation Information
WARNING:An inflated tire and rim can be very dangerous if
improperly used, serviced or maintained. To reduce the risk of
serious injury, never attempt to re-inflate a tire which has been run flat
or seriously under-inflated without first removing the tire from the
wheel assembly for inspection. Do not attempt to add air to tires or
replace tires or wheels without first taking precautions to protect
persons and property.
All tires with Steel Carcass Plies (if equipped):
This type of tire utilizes steel cords in the sidewalls. As such, they cannot
be treated like normal light truck tires. Tire service, including adjusting tire
pressure, must be performed by personnel trained, supervised and
equipped according to Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration regulations. For example, during any procedure involving
tire inflation, the technician or individual must utilize a remote inflation
device, and make sure that all persons are clear of the trajectory area.
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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
WARNING: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 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.
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Dissimilar Spare Tire and Wheel 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 tire and wheel assembly, 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 and wheel 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 tire and wheel assembly is defined as a spare tire 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:
•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
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Rear axle jacking points - All
models except E-350 dual rear
wheel and E-450
Rear axle jacking points - E-350
dual rear wheel and E-450
Front axle jacking points:
Note:Do not place the jack under
or on the steering linkage.
Place the jack under the pin on the
front surface of the front axle.
3. Raise the jack until the wheel is
completely off the ground. Turn the
jack handle clockwise if your vehicle
is equipped with a screw-type jack
or pump the jack if equipped with a hydraulic jack.
4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
5. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire.
If your vehicle has single rear wheels, thread the lug nuts on the studs
with the beveled face toward the wheel.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, thread the two element swiveling
lug nuts on the studs with the flange facing toward the wheel.
6. Use the lug nut wrench to screw the lug nut snugly against the wheel.
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Bolt size and wheel
lug nut typeWheel lug nut torque*
ft-lb N•m
9/16 x 18 conical lug
nut150 200
9/16 x 18 two-piece
lug nut140 190
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
On all two-piece flat wheel nuts, apply one drop of motor oil between the
flat washer and the nut. Do not apply motor oil to the wheel nut threads
or the wheel stud threads.
Note:Inspect the wheel pilot hole
and mounting surface prior to
installation. Remove any visible
corrosion or loose particles.
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Safety restraints -
LATCH anchors ...........................28
Safety seats for children ............24
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................281
Satellite Radio ...........................367
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............419
SD card ......................................381
Seats
child safety seats ......................24
front seats ...........................96–97
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................62
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........330
Setting a destination ................381
Setting the clock ...............290–291
SIRIUS® satellite radio ....363, 381
SIRIUS satellite radio voice
commands .................................366
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................377
SOS Post Crash Alert .................45
Spark plugs,
specifications .............270–271, 279
Special notice
ambulance conversions ............15
utility-type vehicles ..................15
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................272
Stability system .........................133
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......108
Starting your vehicle ........106, 108
jump starting ..........................174Status bars ................................349
Steering wheel ............................65
tilting .........................................65
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................46
SYNC® AppLink™ ...................325
SYNC® customer support ........299
SYNC® Services ........................323
System overview .......................346
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ...........90–91
Text messaging .........................311
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....311, 313
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tires ...........................235–236, 260
alignment ................................250
care ..........................................235
changing ..........................260, 263
checking the pressure ............245
inflating ...................................243
label .........................................242
replacing ..........................248, 265
rotating ....................................251
safety practices .......................250
sidewall information ...............238
snow tires and chains ............252
spare tire .........................260–261
terminology .............................236
tire grades ...............................236
treadwear ........................235, 247
Towing ...............................150, 163
recreational towing .................164
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............157
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