Tire
ActionMessage
Displays when one or more tires on your vehicle havelow tire pressure.LOW TIRE PRESSURE
Displays when the tire pressure monitoring systemmalfunctions. If the warning stays on or continues tocome on, contact your authorized dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORFAULT
Displays when a tire pressure sensor malfunctions, oryour spare tire is in use. For more information on howthe system operates under these conditions, refer tothe Tire Pressure Monitoring System in the Wheels andTires chapter for more information. If the warning stayson or continues to come on, contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSORFAULT
Traction Control
ActionMessage
Displays when the traction control system detects acondition that requires service. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
Traction Control
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Information Displays
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in position P to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Switch off the speed control withheavy loads or in hilly terrain. Thespeed control may turn offautomatically when you are towing onlong, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac with RSC, this systemmay turn on during typical corneringmaneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.This is normal. Turning the corner at aslower speed while towing may reducethis tendency.
•If you are towing a trailer frequently inhot weather, hilly conditions, at thegross combined weight rating (or anycombination of these factors), considerrefilling your rear axle with syntheticgear lubricant. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 194).
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission inposition P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels. (Chocks notincluded with vehicle.)
Your vehicle may be equipped with atemporary or conventional spare tire. A"temporary" spare tire is different in size(diameter or width), tread-type(All-Season or All Terrain) or is from adifferent manufacturer than the road tireson your vehicle. Consult information on thetire label or Safety Compliance label forlimitations when using.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 in (15 cm) above the bottomedge of the rear bumper.
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•Higher - to allow higher load carryingcapacity and to allow it to travel overrough terrain without getting hung upor damaging underbody components.
•Shorter - to give it the capability toapproach inclines and drive over thecrest of a hill without getting hung upor damaging underbody components.All other things held equal, a shorterwheelbase may make your vehiclequicker to respond to steering inputsthan a vehicle with a longer wheelbase.
•Narrower - to provide greatermaneuverability in tight spaces,particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensionaldifferences, sport-utility vehicles, vans andtrucks often will have a higher center ofgravity and a greater difference in centerof gravity between the loaded andunloaded condition.
These differences that make your vehicleso versatile also make it handle differentlythan an ordinary passenger car.
TIRE CARE
Information About UniformTire Quality Grading
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.The Quality grades can be foundwhere applicable on the tiresidewall between tread shoulderand maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that theUnited States Department ofTransportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.They do not apply to deep tread,winter-type snow tires,space-saver or temporary usespare tires, light truck or LT typetires, tires with nominal rimdiameters of 10 to 12 inches orlimited production tires as definedin Title 49 Code of FederalRegulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
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T type tires have some additionalinformation beyond those of Ptype tires. These differences aredescribed below:
A.T: Indicates a type of tire,designated by the Tire and RimAssociation, that is intended fortemporary service on cars, sportutility vehicles, minivans and lighttrucks.
B.145: Indicates the nominalwidth of the tire in millimetersfrom sidewall edge to sidewalledge. In general, the larger thenumber, the wider the tire.
C.80: Indicates the aspect ratiowhich gives the tire's ratio ofheight to width. Numbers of 70 orlower indicate a short sidewall.
D.D: Indicates a diagonal type tire.
R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E.16: Indicates the wheel or rimdiameter in inches. If you changeyour wheel size, you have topurchase new tires to match thenew wheel diameter.
Location of the Tire Label
You can find a Tire Labelcontaining tire inflation pressureby tire size and other importantinformation located on the B-Pillaror the edge of the driver's door.
Inflating Your Tires
Safe operation of your vehiclerequires that your tires areproperly inflated. Remember thata tire can lose up to half of its airpressure without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, checkyour tires. If one looks lower thanthe others, use a tire gauge tocheck pressure of all tires andadjust if required.
At least once a month and beforelong trips, inspect each tire andcheck the tire pressure with a tiregauge (including spare, ifequipped). Inflate all tires to theinflation pressure recommended
by Ford Motor Company.
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the manufacturer’s recommendedcold inflation pressure which canbe found on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label(affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the dooredge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver's seatingposition), or Tire Label located onthe B-pillar or the edge of thedriver's door. The cold inflationpressure should never be set lowerthan the recommended pressureon the Safety ComplianceCertification Label or Tire Label.
When weather temperaturechanges occur, tire inflationpressures also change. A 10°F(6°C) temperature drop cancause a corresponding drop of1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure.Check your tire pressuresfrequently and adjust them to theproper pressure which can befound on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label or Tire Label.
To check the pressure in yourtire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool,meaning they are not hot fromdriving even a mile.
Note:If you are checking tirepressure when the tire is hot, (forexample, driven more than 1.0 mi(1.6 km)), never bleed or reduce airpressure. The tires are hot fromdriving and it is normal forpressures to increase aboverecommended cold pressures. Ahot tire at or below recommendedcold inflation pressure could besignificantly under-inflated.
Note:If you have to drive adistance to get air for your tire(s),check and record the tire pressurefirst and add the appropriate airpressure when you get to thepump. It is normal for tires to heatup and the air pressure inside to goup as you drive.
2. Remove the cap from the valveon one tire, then firmly press thetire gauge onto the valve andmeasure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach therecommended air pressure.
Note:If you overfill the tire, releaseair by pressing on the metal stemin the center of the valve. Thenrecheck the pressure with your tiregauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for eachtire, including the spare.
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Wheels and Tires
Note:Some spare tires operate ata higher inflation pressure than theother tires. For T type mini-sparetires, (see the Dissimilar sparewheel and tire assemblyinformation for a description. Storeand maintain at 60 psi (4.15 bar).For full-size and dissimilar sparetires, see the Dissimilar spare wheeland tire assembly information fora description. Store and maintainat the higher of the front and rearinflation pressure as shown on theSafety Compliance CertificationLabel or Tire Label.
6. Visually inspect the tires tomake sure there are no nails orother objects embedded thatcould poke a hole in the tire andcause an air leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to makesure there are no gouges, cuts orbulges.
Tire Inflation Information
WARNING
An inflated tire and rim canbe very dangerous ifimproperly used, serviced ormaintained. To reduce the risk ofserious injury, never attempt tore-inflate a tire which has been runflat or seriously under-inflatedwithout first removing the tirefrom the wheel assembly forinspection. Do not attempt to addair to tires or replace tires orwheels without first takingprecautions to protect personsand property.
All tires with Steel Carcass Plies(if equipped):
This type of tire utilizes steel cordsin the sidewalls. As such, theycannot be treated like normal lighttruck tires. Tire service, includingadjusting tire pressure, must beperformed by personnel trained,supervised and equippedaccording to Federal OccupationalSafety and Health Administrationregulations. For example, duringany procedure involving tireinflation, the technician orindividual must utilize a remoteinflation device, and ensure thatall persons are clear of thetrajectory area.
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Wheels and Tires
Note:Stay out of the trajectory (1)as indicated in the illustration.
Inspecting Your Tires andWheel Valve Stems
Periodically inspect the tire treadsfor uneven or excessive wear andremove objects such as stones,nails or glass that may be wedgedin the tread grooves. Check the tireand valve stems for holes, cracks,or cuts that may permit airleakage and repair or replace thetire and replace the valve stem.Inspect the tire sidewalls forcracking, cuts, bruises and othersigns of damage or excessivewear. If internal damage to the tire
is suspected, have the tiredemounted and inspected in caseit needs to be repaired or replaced.For your safety, tires that aredamaged or show signs ofexcessive wear should not be usedbecause they are more likely toblow out or fail.
Improper or inadequate vehiclemaintenance can cause tires towear abnormally. Inspect all yourtires, including the spare,frequently, and replace them ifone or more of the followingconditions exist:
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Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down toone sixteenth of an inch (2millimeters), tires must bereplaced to help prevent yourvehicle from skidding andhydroplaning. Built-in treadwearindicators, or wear bars, whichlook like narrow strips of smoothrubber across the tread appearson the tire when the tread is worndown to one sixteenth of an inch(2 millimeters).
When the tire tread wears downto the same height as these wearbars, the tire is worn out and mustbe replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treadsand sidewalls for damage (suchas bulges in the tread or sidewalls,cracks in the tread groove andseparation in the tread orsidewall). If damage is observed
or suspected have the tireinspected by a tire professional.Tires can be damaged duringoff-road use, so inspection afteroff-road use is alsorecommended.
Age
WARNING
Tires degrade over timedepending on many factorssuch as weather, storageconditions, and conditions of use(load, speed, inflation pressure)the tires experience throughouttheir lives.
In general, tires should bereplaced after six years regardlessof tread wear. However, heatcaused by hot climates orfrequent high loading conditionscan accelerate the aging processand may require tires to bereplaced more frequently.
You should replace your spare tirewhen you replace the road tires orafter six years due to aging even ifit has not been used.
U.S. DOT Tire IdentificationNumber
Both United States and CanadaFederal regulations require tiremanufacturers to placestandardized information on thesidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and
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