Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires. TheQuality grades can be found whereapplicable on the tire sidewall betweentread shoulder and maximum sectionwidth. For example: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that the UnitedStates Department of Transportation hasset.
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires. They donot apply to deep tread, winter-typesnow tires, space-saver or temporaryuse spare tires, light truck or LT typetires, tires with nominal rim diameters of10 to 12 inches or limited production tires
as defined in Title 49 Code of FederalRegulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Tirequality grades: The U.S. Department ofTransportation requires Ford MotorCompany to give you the followinginformation about tire grades exactly asthe government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparativerating based on the wear rate of the tirewhen tested under controlled conditionson a specified government test course.For example, a tire graded 150 wouldwear 1½ times as well on thegovernment course as a tire graded 100.The relative performance of tiresdepends upon the actual conditions oftheir use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due tovariations in driving habits, servicepractices, and differences in roadcharacteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING: The traction gradeassigned to this tire is based onstraight-ahead braking traction tests,and does not include acceleration,cornering, hydroplaning or peaktraction characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest tolowest are AA, A, B, and C. The gradesrepresent the tire’s ability to stop on wetpavement as measured under controlledconditions on specified government testsurfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tiremarked C may have poor tractionperformance.
Temperature A B C
WARNING: The temperaturegrade for this tire is established for atire that is properly inflated and notoverloaded. Excessive speed,underinflation, or excessive loading,either separately or in combination,can cause heat buildup and possibletire failure.
The temperature grades are A (thehighest), B and C, representing the tire’sresistance to the generation of heat andits ability to dissipate heat when testedunder controlled conditions on aspecified indoor laboratory test wheel.Sustained high temperature can cause
316
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Wheels and Tires
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.
334
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Wheels and Tires
The usage of a full-size dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly 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.
When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly additionalcaution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer.
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camperbody.
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargorack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-sizedissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly andseek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure
WARNING: When one of the frontwheels is off the ground, the transmissionalone will not prevent the vehicle frommoving or slipping off the jack, even if thetransmission is in park (P).
WARNING: To help prevent yourvehicle from moving when changing awheel, shift the transmission into park (P),set the parking brake and use anappropriate block or wheel chock tosecure the wheel diagonally opposite tothe wheel being changed. For example,when changing the front left wheel, placean appropriate block or wheel chock onthe right rear wheel.
WARNING: No person should placeany portion of their body under a vehiclethat is supported by a jack.
WARNING: Do not attempt to changea tire on the side of the vehicle close tomoving traffic. Pull far enough off the roadto avoid the danger of being hit whenoperating the jack or changing the wheel.
WARNING: Always use the jackprovided as original equipment with yourvehicle. If using a jack other than the oneprovided, make sure the jack capacity isadequate for the vehicle weight, includingany vehicle cargo or modifications. If youare unsure if the jack capacity is adequate,contact the authorized dealer.
Note:Passengers should not remain in yourvehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Note:Jack at the specified locations to avoiddamage to the vehicle.
Note:If your vehicle came equipped with anextra full size wheel and tire assembly(placed in the cargo area), be sure to storethe wheel and tire assembly outside of thevehicle after delivery (livery vehicles only).
335
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Wheels and Tires