2015 FORD TRANSIT spare wheel

As a result of the above dimensional
differences, sport-utility vehicles, vans and
trucks often will have a higher center of
gravity and a greater difference in center
of gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition.
These differences that make your vehicle
so versatile also make it handle differently
than an ordinary passenger car.
TIRE CARE
Information About Uniform
Tire Quality Grades Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires.
The tire Quality Grades can be
found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear 200
Traction AA Temperature A.
They do not apply to deep tread,
winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, light truck or LT type
tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104 (C)(2).
Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the
United States Department of
Transportation has set.
United States Department of
Transportation Tire Quality
Grades
The United States of America
Department of Transportation
requires Ford Motor Company to
give you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
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 1½ times as well on
the government course as a tire
234 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and TiresE166373 E142542

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.
Location of the Tire Label
You will find a Tire Label
containing tire inflation pressure
by tire size and other important
information located on the B-Pillar
or the edge of the driver door.
Inflating the Tires
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
buildup 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! Safe operation of your vehicle
requires that the tires are correctly
inflated.
Every day before you drive, check
the 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
including the spare tire. Check the
tire pressure with a tire pressure
gauge. Inflate all tires to the
correct inflation pressure.
You are strongly urged to buy a
reliable tire pressure gauge, as
automatic service station gauges
may be inaccurate. We
recommend 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 the tires to the
recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum
inflation pressure information
found on the tire. The
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 seating
243 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and Tires

position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door. Failure to follow
the tire pressure
recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your
vehicle handles
Note:
Do not reduce tire pressure
to change the ride characteristics
of your vehicle. If you do not
maintain the tire pressures as
specified by Ford, your vehicle may
experience a condition known as
shimmy. This will cause severe
vibration and oscillations in the
steering wheel when your vehicle
travels over a bump or dip in the
road and is unable to dampen out
by itself. Significantly
under-inflated tires, incorrect tire
usage or any vehicle modifications
such as lift-kits can cause your
vehicle to shimmy. If your vehicle
begins to shimmy, slowly reduce
the speed of your vehicle by
pressing the brake pedal or
releasing the accelerator pedal. As
your vehicle speed reduces the
shimmy will cease.
The maximum inflation pressure
is 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 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 seating
position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver 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
10 psi (0.7 bar) in inflation
pressure. Check the tire pressures
frequently and adjust them to the
correct pressure which can be
found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label or Tire Label.
To check the tire pressures:
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from
driving even a mile.
2. Remove the cap from the valve
on one tire, then firmly press
the tire gauge onto the valve
and measure the tire pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach the
recommended tire pressure.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each
tire, including the spare.
244 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and Tires

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.
Note: If you are checking tire
pressure when the tire is hot, for
example you have driven more than
1.0 mi (1.6 km), never bleed or
reduce tire 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 the tires,
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 tire pressure to increase
as you drive.
Note: If you over inflate the tire,
release air by pressing on the metal
stem in the center of the valve.
Then recheck the pressure with
your tire gauge. Note:
Some spare tires operate at
a higher inflation pressure than the
other tires. For T-type mini-spare
tires, refer to the Dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly
information for a description. Store
and maintain at 60 psi (4.15 bar).
For full-size and dissimilar spare
tires, refer to the Dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly
information for a description. Store
and maintain at the higher of the
front and rear inflation pressure as
shown on the Tire Label.
Inspecting the Tires and Wheel
Valve Stems
Periodically inspect the tire treads
for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects, for example
stones, nails or glass that may be
wedged in the tread grooves.
Check the tire and valve stems for
holes, cracks, or cuts that may
permit air leakage and repair or
replace the tire and replace the
valve stem. Inspect the tire
sidewalls for cracking, cuts,
bruises and other signs of damage
or excessive wear. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected,
have the tire removed and
inspected in case it needs to be
repaired or replaced. For your
safety, tires that are damaged or
show signs of excessive wear
should not be used because they
are more likely to blow out or fail.
245 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and Tires

Incorrect or inadequate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to
wear abnormally. Inspect all the
tires, including the spare,
frequently, and replace them if
one or more of the following
conditions exist:
Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down to
0.08 in (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
0.08 in (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. Tire Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage, for
example bulges in the tread or
sidewalls, cracks in the tread
groove or 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.
Tire Age
WARNING
Tires degrade over time
depending on many factors,
for example weather, storage
conditions, and conditions of use,
for example load, speed and
inflation pressures 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 the spare tire
when you replace the road tires or
after six years due to aging even if
it has not been used. 246
Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and TiresE142546

If you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or
you suspect a tire or your 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 a tire is
under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and
replace it with the spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a
cause, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest repair facility or tire
dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
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
the tires. If your vehicle seems to
pull to one side when you are
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 the tires and
should be corrected by an
authorized dealer. Front-wheel
drive vehicles and those with an
independent rear suspension may
require alignment of all four
wheels.
The tires should also be balanced
periodically. An unbalanced tire
and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation WARNING
If the tire label shows
different tire pressures for the
front and rear tires and the vehicle
is fitted with a tire pressure
monitoring system, the settings
for the system sensors need to be
reset. Always carry out the system
reset procedure after tire rotation.
If the system is not reset, it may
not provide a low tire pressure
warning when necessary. See Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
(page 251). Rotating the tires at the
recommended interval detailed in
the Scheduled Maintenance
chapter will help the tires wear
more evenly, providing better tire
performance and longer tire life.
Sometimes irregular tire wear can
be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:
After rotating the tires the
inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle
requirements.
Note: If the 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.
249 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and Tires

Note:
Your vehicle may have 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.
Rear-wheel drive and
four-wheel drive vehicles with
single rear wheels (front tires
at left of diagram). Rear-wheel drive and
four-wheel drive vehicles with
dual rear wheels.
USING WINTER TIRES
WARNING
When you use winter tires on your
vehicle, you must make sure that you
use the correct lug nuts.
If winter tires are used, you must make sure
that you use the correct tire pressures.
250 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and TiresE142548 E166988

Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated
to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle ’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence
will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able
to detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
The tire pressure monitoring system
complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and
with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) This device
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changing Tires With a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
Note:
Each road tire is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor located inside the wheel
and tire assembly cavity. The pressure
sensor is attached to the valve stem. The
pressure sensor is covered by the tire and is
not visible unless the tire is removed. Take
care when changing the tire to avoid
damaging the sensor.
252 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Wheels and Tires E142549