2016 LINCOLN MKS Owners Manual

A.
T: Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association, that is intended for
temporary service on cars, sport
utility vehicles, minivans and light
trucks.
B. 145:
Indicates the nominal width
of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
C. 80:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of height
to width. Numbers of 70 or lower
indicate a short sidewall.
D. D:
Indicates a diagonal type tire.
R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 16:
Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter. 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
’s door.
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. 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
278
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and 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! 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 Pressure is
the tire manufacturer's maximum
permissible pressure and 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'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.
279
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

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 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, see 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.
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.
Inspecting Your Tires and Wheel
Valve Stems
Periodically inspect the tire treads
for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects such as 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
demounted 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.
280
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

Improper or inadequate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to
wear abnormally. Inspect all your
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 one
sixteenth of an inch (2 millimeters),
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
one sixteenth of an inch (2
millimeters).
When the tire tread wears down to
the same height as these wear bars,
the tire is worn out and must be
replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage (such as
bulges in the tread or sidewalls,
cracks in the tread groove and
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.
281
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and TiresE142546

Age
WARNING
Tires degrade over time
depending on many factors
such as weather, storage conditions,
and conditions of use (load, speed,
inflation pressure) 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 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
282
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

WARNINGS
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. WARNINGS
To reduce the risk of serious
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
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. WARNINGS
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 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.
283
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

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 tire pressure monitoring
system indicator is flashing, your
system is malfunctioning. Your
replacement tire might be
incompatible with your tire pressure
monitoring system, or some
component of the system 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. WARNINGS
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 is 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
a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and
replace it with your spare tire and
wheel (if provided). 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 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.
284
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

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 independent rear
suspension (if equipped) 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
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 and all-wheel
drive vehicles (front tires on the left
side of the diagram) Sometimes irregular tire wear can
be corrected by rotating the 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.
285
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Wheels and TiresE142547