Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or potholecan cause the front end of your vehicleto become misaligned or cause damageto your tires. If your vehicle seems topull to one side when you are driving,the wheels may be out of alignment.Have an authorized dealer check thewheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or therear can cause uneven and rapidtreadwear of your tires and should becorrected by an authorized dealer.Front-wheel drive vehicles and thosewith an independent rear suspension (ifequipped) may require alignment of allfour wheels.
The tires should also be balanced
periodically. An unbalanced tire andwheel assembly may result in irregulartire wear.
Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show uneven wear,ask an authorized dealer to check forand correct any wheel misalignment,tire imbalance or mechanical probleminvolved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equippedwith a dissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly. A dissimilar spare wheel andtire assembly is defined as a sparewheel and tire assembly that is differentin brand, size or appearance from theroad tires and wheels. If you have adissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly, it is intended for temporaryuse only and should not be used in atire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated,
inflation pressure must be checked andadjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommendedinterval will help your tires wear moreevenly, providing better tire performanceand longer tire life. Sometimes irregulartire wear can be corrected by rotatingthe tires. See Wheels and Tires (page313).
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USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING: Snow tires must be thesame size, load index, and speed rating asthose originally provided by Ford. Use ofany tire or wheel not recommended byFord can affect the safety and performanceof your vehicle, which could result in anincreased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury, and death.Additionally, the use of non-recommendedtires and wheels could cause steering,suspension, axle, transfer case, or powertransfer unit failure. It is also stronglyadvised to follow the Ford recommendedtire inflation pressure found on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label (affixed toeither the door hinge pillar, door-latch post,or the door edge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver’s seating position),or Tire Label which is located on theB-Pillar or the edge of the driver door.Failure to follow the tire pressurerecommendations can cause uneventreadwear patterns and adversely affectthe way your vehicle handles.
Note:The suspension insulation andbumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.Do not remove these components from yourvehicle when using snow tires and chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weathertreads to provide traction in rain and snow.However, in some climates, you may needto use snow tires and cables. If you need touse cables, it is recommended that steelwheels (of the same size and specifications)be used, as cables may chip aluminumwheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snowtires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading yourvehicle.
•Use only SAE Class S snow chains, snowcables or equivalent on the front axle forP235/55R19 equipped vehicles. The useof snow chains, snow cables or othertraction assist devices that are larger thanSAE Class S may cause damage to yourvehicle’s wheel house, suspension orbody.
•Do not install tire chains, cables, oroptional traction devices on the rear tires.This could cause damage to the vehicle’swheel house or body.
•Do not use tire chains, cables or optionaltraction devices with optional 255/45R20tires.
•Install cable chains securely, verifyingthat the cables do not touch any wiring,brake lines or fuel lines.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) withtire cables on your vehicle.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cablesrub or bang against your vehicle, stopand retighten the cables. If this does notwork, remove the cables to preventdamage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cables when they are nolonger needed. Do not use tire cables ondry roads.
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM
WARNING: The tire pressuremonitoring system is not a substitute formanually checking tire pressures. Youshould periodically check tire pressuresusing a pressure gauge. Failure to correctlymaintain tire pressures could increase therisk of tire failure, loss of control, vehiclerollover and personal injury.
Note: You should only use tire sealants inroadside emergencies as they may causedamage to the tire pressure monitoringsystem sensor.
Note: If the tire pressure monitoring systemsensor becomes damaged, it may notfunction.
Each tire, including the spare (ifprovided), should be checkedmonthly when cold and inflated tothe inflation pressure recommended by thevehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placardor tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehiclehas tires of a different size than the sizeindicated on the vehicle placard or tireinflation pressure label, you shoulddetermine the proper tire inflation pressurefor those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle hasbeen equipped with a Tire PressureMonitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates alow tire pressure telltale when one or moreof your tires is significantly under-inflated.Accordingly, when the low tire pressuretelltale illuminates, you should stop andcheck your tires as soon as possible, andinflate them to the proper pressure. Drivingon a significantly under-inflated tire causesthe tire to overheat and can lead to tirefailure. Under-inflation also reduces fuelefficiency and tire tread life, and may affectthe vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitutefor proper tire maintenance, and it is thedriver’s responsibility to maintain correct tirepressure, even if under-inflation has notreached the level to trigger illumination ofthe TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with aTPMS malfunction indicator to indicate whenthe system is not operating properly. TheTPMS malfunction indicator is combined withthe low tire pressure telltale. When thesystem detects a malfunction, the telltale willflash for approximately one minute and thenremain continuously illuminated. Thissequence will continue upon subsequentvehicle start-ups as long as the malfunctionexists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,the system may not be able to detect orsignal low tire pressure as intended. TPMSmalfunctions may occur for a variety ofreasons, including the installation ofreplacement or alternate tires or wheels onthe vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
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functioning properly. Always check the TPMSmalfunction telltale after replacing one ormore tires or wheels on your vehicle toensure that the replacement or alternate tiresand wheels allow the TPMS to continue tofunction properly.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCCRules and with Licence exempt RSSStandards of Industry Canada. Operation issubject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmfulinterference, and
2.This device must accept any interferencereceived, including interference that maycause undesired operation.
WARNING: Changes or modificationsnot expressively approved by the partyresponsible for compliance could void theuser's authority to operate the equipment.The term "IC:" before the radio certificationnumber only signifies that Industry Canadatechnical specifications were met.
Changing Tires With a Tire PressureMonitoring System
Note:Each road tire is equipped with a tirepressure sensor located inside the wheeland tire assembly cavity. The pressuresensor is attached to the valve stem. Thepressure sensor is covered by the tire andis not visible unless the tire is removed. Takecare when changing the tire to avoiddamaging the sensor.
You should always have your tires servicedby an authorized dealer.
Check the tire pressure periodically (at leastmonthly) using an accurate tire gauge. SeeInflating Your Tires in this chapter.
Understanding Your Tire PressureMonitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring systemmeasures pressure in your four road tiresand sends the tire pressure readings to yourvehicle. The low tire pressure warning lightwill turn on if the tire pressure is significantlylow. Once the light is illuminated, your tiresare under-inflated and need to be inflated tothe manufacturer’s recommended tirepressure. Even if the light turns on and ashort time later turns off, your tire pressurestill needs to be checked.
When Your Temporary Spare Tire isInstalled
When one of your road tires needs to bereplaced with the temporary spare, thesystem will continue to identify an issue toremind you that the damaged road wheeland tire assembly needs to be repaired andput back on your vehicle.
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To restore the full function of the tirepressure monitoring system, have thedamaged road wheel and tire assemblyrepaired and remounted on your vehicle.
When You Believe Your System is NotOperating Properly
The main function of the tire pressuremonitoring system is to warn you when yourtires need air. It can also warn you in theevent the system is no longer capable offunctioning as intended. See the followingchart for information concerning your tirepressure monitoring system:
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Customer action requiredPossible causeLow tire pressure warning light
Make sure tires are at the proper pressure. See Inflating your tiresin this chapter. After inflating your tires to the manufacturer’srecommended pressure as shown on the Tire Label (located onthe edge of driver’s door or the B-Pillar), the vehicle must be drivenfor at least two minutes over 20 mph (32 km/h) before the lightturns off.
Tire(s) under-inflatedSolid warning light
Repair the damaged road wheel and tire assembly and reinstallit on the vehicle to restore system function. For a description onhow the system functions, see When your temporary spare tireis installed in this section.
Spare tire in use
If the tires are properly inflated and the spare tire is not in use butthe light remains on, contact your authorized dealer as soon aspossible.
TPMS malfunction
Repair the damaged road wheel and tire assembly and reinstallit on the vehicle to restore system function. For a description onhow the system functions, see When your temporary spare tireis installed in this section.
Spare tire in useFlashing warning light
If the tires are properly inflated and the spare tire is not in use butthe light remains on, contact your authorized dealer as soon aspossible.
TPMS malfunction
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When Inflating Your Tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at agas station or in your garage), the tirepressure monitoring system may not respondimmediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turn off afteryou have filled your tires to therecommended inflation pressure.
How Temperature Affects Your TirePressure
The tire pressure monitoring system monitorstire pressure in each pneumatic tire. Whiledriving in a normal manner, a typicalpassenger tire inflation pressure mayincrease about 2–4 psi (14–28 kPa) from acold start situation. If the vehicle is stationaryovernight with the outside temperaturesignificantly lower than the daytimetemperature, the tire pressure may decreaseabout 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F (17°C)in ambient temperature. This lower pressurevalue may be detected by the tire pressuremonitoring system as being significantlylower than the recommended inflation
pressure and activate the system warninglight for low tire pressure. If the low tirepressure warning light is on, visually checkeach tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one ormore tires are flat, repair as necessary.Check the air pressure in the road tires. Ifany tire is under-inflated, carefully drive thevehicle to the nearest location where air canbe added to the tires. Inflate all the tires tothe recommended inflation pressure.
CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL
WARNING: Do not use tire sealantsas they may damage the tire pressuremonitoring system.
WARNING: If the tire pressuremonitor sensor becomes damaged it maynot function.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring systemindicator light will illuminate when the sparetire is in use. To restore the full function ofthe monitoring system, all road wheelsequipped with tire pressure monitoringsensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with theoptional 5th road wheel and tire assembly,the storage location in the luggagecompartment is for temporary use only. Theoptional full size road wheel and tireassembly should be stored outside thevehicle after delivery.
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not applythe brake heavily. Instead, graduallydecrease your speed. Hold the steeringwheel firmly and slowly move to a safe placeon the side of the road.
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Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealerin order to prevent damage to the tirepressure monitoring system sensors. SeeTire Pressure Monitoring System (page 329).Replace the spare tire with a road tire assoon as possible. During repairing orreplacing of the flat tire, have the authorizeddealer inspect the tire pressure monitoringsystem sensor for damage.
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and TireAssembly Information
WARNING: Failure to follow theseguidelines could result in an increased riskof loss of vehicle 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.
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: This spare tire beginswith the letter T for tire size and may haveTemporary Use Only molded in the sidewall.
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label onwheel: This spare tire has a label on thewheel that states: THIS WHEEL AND TIREASSEMBLY FOR TEMPORARY USE ONLY.
When driving with one of the dissimilar sparetires listed above, 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 one of the dissimilar spare tires listedabove at any 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.
3. Full-size dissimilar spare without labelon wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly, do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
•Use more than one dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly at a time.
•Use commercial car washing equipment.
•Use snow chains on the end of thevehicle with the dissimilar spare wheeland tire assembly.
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