•Recommended inflation pressure:The cold inflation pressure found onthe Safety Compliance CertificationLabel (affixed to either the doorhinge pillar, door-latch post, or thedoor edge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver's seatingposition), or Tire Label located on theB-Pillar or the edge of the driver’sdoor.
•B-pillar: The structural member atthe side of the vehicle behind thefront door
•Bead area of the tire: Area of the tirenext to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire: Area betweenthe bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire: Area of theperimeter of the tire that contacts theroad when mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim: The metal support (wheel) for atire or a tire and tube assembly uponwhich the tire beads are seated.
Information Contained on the TireSidewall
Both United States and Canada Federalregulations require tire manufacturersto place standardized information on thesidewall of all tires. This informationidentifies and describes the fundamentalcharacteristics of the tire and alsoprovides a U.S. DOT Tire IdentificationNumber for safety standard certificationand in case of a recall.
Information on P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tiresize, load index and speed rating. Thedefinitions of these items are listedbelow. (Note that the tire size, load indexand speed rating for your vehicle maybe different from this example.)
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I
J
KL
M
A
B
CDEFG
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A. P: Indicates a tire, designated by theTire and Rim Association, that may beused for service on cars, sport utilityvehicles, minivans and light trucks. Note:If your tire size does not begin with aletter this may mean it is designated byeither the European Tire and RimTechnical Organization or the Japan TireManufacturing Association.
B. 215: Indicates the nominal width ofthe tire in millimeters from sidewall edgeto sidewall edge. In general, the largerthe number, the wider the tire.
C. 65: Indicates the aspect ratio whichgives the tire's ratio of height to width.
D. R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 15: Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change yourwheel size, you will have to purchasenew tires to match the new wheeldiameter.
F. 95: Indicates the tire's load index. Itis an index that relates to how muchweight a tire can carry. You may find thisinformation in your owner’s manual. Ifnot, contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find this informationon all tires because it is not required byfederal law.
G. H: Indicates the tire's speed rating.The speed rating denotes the speed atwhich a tire is designed to be driven forextended periods of time under astandard condition of load and inflationpressure. The tires on your vehicle mayoperate at different conditions for loadand inflation pressure. These speedratings may need to be adjusted for thedifference in conditions. The ratings
range from 81–186 mph (130–299 km/h).These ratings are listed in the followingchart.
Note:You may not find this informationon all tires because it is not required byfederal law.
mph ( km/h)Letter rating
81 mph (130 km/h)M
87 mph (140 km/h)N
99 mph (159 km/h)Q
106 mph (171 km/h)R
112 mph (180 km/h)S
118 mph (190 km/h)T
124 mph (200 km/h)U
130 mph (210 km/h)H
149 mph (240 km/h)V
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•Treadwear The treadwear grade isa comparative rating based on thewear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on aspecified government test course.For example, a tire graded 150 wouldwear one and one-half times as wellon the government course as a tiregraded 100.
•Traction: The traction grades, fromhighest to lowest are AA, A, B, andC. The grades represent the tire'sability to stop on wet pavement asmeasured under controlledconditions on specified governmenttest surfaces of asphalt and concrete.A tire marked C may have poortraction performance.
•Temperature: The temperaturegrades are A (the highest), B and C,representing the tire's resistance tothe generation of heat and its abilityto dissipate heat when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specifiedindoor laboratory test wheel.
M. Maximum Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire manufacturers'maximum permissible pressure or thepressure at which the maximum loadcan be carried by the tire. This pressureis normally higher than the vehiclemanufacturer's recommended coldinflation pressure which can be foundon the Safety Compliance CertificationLabel (affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post, next tothe driver's seating position), or TireLabel which is located on the B-Pillar orthe edge of the driver’s door. The coldinflation pressure should never be setlower than the recommended pressureon the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional
markings, notes or warnings such asstandard load or radial tubeless.
Additional Information Contained onthe Tire Sidewall for LT Type Tires
Note:Tire Quality Grades do not applyto this type of tire.
LT type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P type tires;these differences are described below.
A. LT: Indicates a tire, designated by theTire and Rim Association, that isintended for service on light trucks.
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BC
BDE142544
B. Load Range and Load InflationLimits: Indicates the tire's load-carryingcapabilities and its inflation limits.
C. Maximum Load Dual lb (kg) at psi(kPa) cold: Indicates the maximum loadand tire pressure when the tire is usedas a dual; defined as four tires on therear axle (a total of six or more tires onthe vehicle).
D. Maximum Load Single lb (kg) at psi(kPa) cold: Indicates the maximum loadand tire pressure when the tire is usedas a single; defined as two tires (total)on the rear axle.
Information on T Type Tires
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire size.
Note:The temporary tire size for yourvehicle may be different from thisexample. Tire Quality Grades do notapply to this type of tire.
T type tires have some additionalinformation beyond those of P type tires;these differences are described below:
A. T: Indicates a type of tire, designatedby the Tire and Rim Association, that isintended for temporary service on cars,sport utility vehicles, minivans and lighttrucks.
B. 145: Indicates the nominal width ofthe tire in millimeters from sidewall edgeto sidewall edge. In general, the largerthe number, the wider the tire.
C. 80: Indicates the aspect ratio whichgives the tire's ratio of height to width.Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a shortsidewall.
D. D: Indicates a diagonal type tire.
R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 16: Indicates the wheel or rimdiameter in inches. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to purchasenew tires to match the new wheeldiameter.
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Location of the Tire Label
You will find a Tire Label containing tireinflation pressure by tire size and otherimportant information located on theB-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
Inflating Your Tires
Safe operation of your vehicle requiresthat your tires are properly inflated.Remember that a tire can lose up to halfof its air pressure without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check yourtires. If one looks lower than the others,use a tire gauge to check pressure of alltires and adjust if required.
At least once a month and before longtrips, inspect each tire and check the tirepressure with a tire gauge (includingspare, if equipped). Inflate all tires to theinflation pressure recommended by FordMotor Company.
You are strongly urged to buy a reliabletire pressure gauge, as automaticservice station gauges may beinaccurate. Ford recommends the useof a digital or dial-type tire pressuregauge rather than a stick-type tirepressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflationpressure for optimum tire performanceand wear. Under-inflation orover-inflation may cause uneventreadwear patterns
WARNING
Under-inflation is the most commoncause of tire failures and may resultin severe tire cracking, tread separationor blowout, with unexpected loss ofvehicle control and increased risk of
injury. Under-inflation increases sidewallflexing and rolling resistance, resultingin heat buildup and internal damage tothe tire. It also may result in unnecessarytire stress, irregular wear, loss of vehiclecontrol and accidents. A tire can lose upto half of its air pressure and not appearto be flat!
Always inflate your tires to the Fordrecommended inflation pressure evenif it is less than the maximum inflationpressure information found on the tire.The Ford recommended tire inflationpressure is found on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label (affixedto either the door hinge pillar, door-latchpost, or the door edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driver'sseating position), or Tire Label which islocated on the B-Pillar or the edge of thedriver’s door. Failure to follow the tirepressure recommendations can causeuneven treadwear patterns andadversely affect the way your vehiclehandles
Maximum Inflation Pressure is the tiremanufacturer's maximum permissible
pressure and the pressure at which themaximum load can be carried by the tire.This pressure is normally higher than themanufacturer’s recommended coldinflation pressure which can be foundon the Safety Compliance CertificationLabel (affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the door edge
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that meets the door-latch post, next tothe driver's seating position), or TireLabel which is located on the B-Pillar orthe edge of the driver’s door. The coldinflation pressure should never be setlower than the recommended pressureon the Safety Compliance CertificationLabel or Tire Label.
When weather temperature changesoccur, tire inflation pressures alsochange. A 10°F (6°C) temperature dropcan cause a corresponding drop of 1 psi(0.07 bar) in inflation pressure. Checkyour tire pressures frequently and adjustthem to the proper pressure which canbe found on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label or Tire Label.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool,meaning they are not hot fromdriving even a mile.
Note:If you are checking tire pressurewhen the tire is hot, (for example drivenmore than 1.0 mi (1.6 km), never bleedor reduce air pressure. The tires are hotfrom driving and it is normal forpressures to increase aboverecommended cold pressures. A hot tireat or below recommended cold inflationpressure could be significantlyunder-inflated.
Note:If you have to drive a distance toget air for your tire(s), check and recordthe tire pressure first and add theappropriate air pressure when you getto the pump. It is normal for tires to heatup and the air pressure inside to go upas you drive.
2.Remove the cap from the valve on
one tire, then firmly press the tiregauge onto the valve and measurethe pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach therecommended air pressure.
Note:If you overfill the tire, release airby pressing on the metal stem in thecenter of the valve. Then recheck thepressure 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 ahigher inflation pressure than the othertires. For T type mini-spare tires, see theDissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly 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 tireassembly information for a description.Store and maintain at the higher of thefront and rear inflation pressure as
shown on the Tire Label.
6.Visually inspect the tires to makesure there are no nails or otherobjects embedded that could pokea hole in the tire and cause an airleak.
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Dissimilar Spare Wheel and TireAssembly Information
WARNING
Failure to follow these guidelines couldresult in an increased risk of loss ofvehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare wheel and tire,then it is intended for temporary use only.This means that if you need to use it, youshould replace it as soon as possible with aroad wheel and tire assembly that is thesame size and type as the road tires andwheels that were originally provided by Ford.If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel isdamaged, it should be replaced rather thanrepaired.
Important Use of Spare Wheel
A dissimilar spare wheel and tire assemblyis defined as a spare wheel and tire assemblythat is different in brand, size or appearancefrom the road tires and wheels and can beone of three types:
1. T-type mini-spare.*
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label onwheel.**
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label onwheel.*This spare tire begins with the letter T for
tire size and may have Temporary Use Onlymolded in the sidewall.** This spare tire has a label on the wheel that
states: THIS WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLYFOR TEMPORARY USE ONLY.
Driving with a T-type Mini-spare or Full-sizeDissimilar Spare With Label on Wheel
Do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Load the vehicle beyond maximumvehicle load rating listed on the SafetyCompliance Label.
•Tow a trailer.
•Use snow chains on the end of thevehicle with the dissimilar spare tire.
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tireat a time.
•Use commercial car washing equipment.
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.
Use of the above dissimilar spare wheel atany one wheel location can lead toimpairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and brakingperformance.
•Comfort and noise.
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet weather driving capability.
•All-wheel driving capability (if applicable).
Driving With a Full-size Dissimilar SpareWheel and Tire Assembly
Do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
•Use more than one dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly at a time.
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TYPE APPROVALS
RF Certification Logos for Tire PressureMonitoring Sensor(s)
Argentina
Brazil
European Union EU
Ghana
Jordan
Malaysia
Mexico
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AppendicesE207816 E197509 E207818 E253824 E253823 E253822 E253812 E253813