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
1
1 2times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING:The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
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 A B C
WARNING:The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 139. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
264Wheels and Tires
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)
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.
268Wheels and Tires
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)
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.
Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
The tires on your vehicle may have all-weather treads to provide traction
in rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or if the
law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
•Use SAE Class S chains with 195/65R15 or 215/55R16 tires only; do
not use tire chains with any other size tires.
•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 retighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
278Wheels and Tires
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)
General operation
Voice Command Control
Functions within the Windows Automotive-based system may be
accomplished using only voice commands. Using voice commands while
driving allows you to operate the system without removing your hands
from the wheel.
Prolonged Views of Screen
Do not access any function requiring a prolonged view of the screen while
you are driving. Pull over in a safe and legal manner before attempting
to access a function of the system requiring prolonged attention. Even
occasional short scans to the screen may be hazardous if your attention
has been diverted away from your driving task at a critical time.
Volume Setting
Do not raise the volume excessively. Keep the volume at a level where
you can still hear outside traffic and emergency signals while driving.
Driving while unable to hear these sounds could cause an accident.
Use of Speech Recognition Functions
Speech recognition software is inherently a statistical process which
is subject to errors. It is your responsibility to monitor any speech
recognition functions included in the system and address any errors.
Navigation Features
Any navigation features included in the system are intended to provide
turn by turn instructions to get you to a desired destination. Please make
certain all persons using this system carefully read and follow instructions
and safety information fully.
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.
454Appendices
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)
Steering wheel ............................84
controls ......................................85
tilting .........................................84
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................46
Supported media file types.......399
Supported player, media formats
and metadata information
.........399
SYNC® AppLink™ ...................351
SYNC® customer
support ..............................324, 375
SYNC® Services ................348, 410
System settings .........................425
T
Temperature control (see
Climate control) ........122, 124, 433
Text messaging .................336, 406
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....336, 338
Tilt steering wheel ......................84
Tires ...........................263–264, 283
alignment ................................277
care ..........................................263
changing ..........................283, 285
checking the pressure ............273
inflating ...................................271
label .........................................270
replacing ..................................275
rotating ....................................277
safety practices .......................276
sidewall information ...............266
snow tires and chains ............278
spare tire .................................283
terminology .............................265
tire grades ...............................264
treadwear ........................264, 273Touchscreen features
(climate) ....................................433
Towing .......................................200
recreational towing .................201
trailer towing ..........................200
wrecker ....................................200
Traction control ........................173
Traffic, Directions and
Information ................................348
Traffic preferences ...................440
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....165
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................238
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................238
fluid, refill capacities ..............290
lubricant specifications ..........290
Trunk .....................................79–80
remote release ..........................74
Turn signal ..................................93
U
USB port ....................321–322, 396
Using privacy mode ..................332
V
Vehicle health report ........346, 420
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................294
Vehicle loading ..........................194
Ventilating your vehicle ...........149
Voice commands in media
mode ..........................................354
490Index
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)