GENERAL INFORMATION
Use only approved wheel and tire sizes,using other sizes could damage your vehicle.If you change the diameter of the tires fromthat fitted at the factory, the speedometermay not display the correct speed. If youintend to change the size of the wheels fromthat fitted by the manufacturer, you cancheck the suitability with an authorizeddealer.
Additional information related to thefunctionality and maintenance of your tirescan be found later in this chapter. See TireCare (page 390).
You can find the recommended tire inflationpressures can on the Tire Label, which is onthe B-pillar or the edge of the driver door.You can also find this information on theSafety Compliance Certification Label, affixedto either the door hinge pillar, door-latchpost, or the door edge that meets the doorlatch post; next to the driver seating position.
We strongly recommend maintaining thesetire pressures at all times. Failure to followthe tire pressure recommendations cancause uneven treadwear patterns, reducedfuel economy, and adversely affect the wayyour vehicle handles.
Note:Check and set the tire pressure at theambient temperature in which you areintending to drive your vehicle and when thetires are cold.
Note:Check your tire pressures at least onceper month.
If your vehicle has a spare tire, set thepressure to the highest value given for yourvehicle and tire size combination.
Notice to utility vehicle and truckowners
WARNING: Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate than othertypes of vehicles.
WARNING: Vehicles with a highercenter of gravity (utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles) handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,excessive speed and abrupt steering inthese vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslyincreases the risk of losing control of yourvehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
WARNING: In a rollover crash, anunbelted person is significantly more likelyto die than a person wearing a seatbelt.
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheel drivevehicle may accelerate better than atwo-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive ata safe speed.
388
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
Utility vehicles and trucks handle differentlythan passenger cars in the various drivingconditions that are encountered on streets,highways and off-road. Utility vehicles andtrucks are not designed for cornering atspeeds as high as passenger cars any morethan low-slung sports cars are designed toperform satisfactorily under off-roadconditions.
Study your owner's manual and anysupplements for specific information aboutequipment features, instructions for safedriving and additional precautions to reducethe risk of an accident or serious injury.
Four-wheel drive system (If Equipped)
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheel drivevehicle may accelerate better than atwo-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive ata safe speed.
A vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive,when selected, has the ability to use all fourwheels to power itself. This increases tractionwhich may enable you to safely drive overterrain and road conditions that aconventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Power is supplied to all four wheels througha transfer case or power transfer unit.Four-wheel drive vehicles allow you to selectdifferent modes as necessary. Forinformation on transfer case operation andshifting procedures, See Four-Wheel Drive(page 216). For information on transfer casemaintenance, See Maintenance (page 359).You should become thoroughly familiar withthis information before you operate yourvehicle.
On some four-wheel drive vehicles, the initialshift from two-wheel to four-wheel drivewhen the vehicle is moving can cause amomentary clunk and ratcheting sound.These sounds are normal and are not causefor concern.
In four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of thespare tire relative to the remaining tires canhave an effect on the 4x4 system. If there isa significant difference between the size ofa spare and the remaining tires, four-wheeldrive functionality may be limited. See UsingFour-Wheel Drive (page 216).
How your vehicle differs from othervehicles
Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differfrom some other vehicles in a few noticeableways. Your vehicle may be:
389
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
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 one and one-half (1 ½) times as wellon the government course as a tiregraded 100. The relative performanceof tires depends upon the actualconditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the normdue to variations in driving habits,service practices, and differences inroad characteristics 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
the material of the tire to degenerateand reduce tire life, and excessivetemperature can lead to sudden tirefailure. The grade C corresponds to alevel of performance which allpassenger car tires must meet under theFederal Motor Vehicle Safety StandardNo. 139. Grades B and A representhigher levels of performance on thelaboratory test wheel than the minimumrequired by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
*Tire label: A label showing the originalequipment tire sizes, recommendedinflation pressure and the maximumweight the vehicle can carry.
*Tire Identification Number (TIN): A
number on the sidewall of each tireproviding information about the tirebrand and manufacturing plant, tire sizeand date of manufacture. Also referredto as DOT code.
*Inflation pressure: A measure of theamount of air in a tire.
391
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
K. Maximum Load: Indicates themaximum load in kilograms and poundsthat can be carried by the tire (affixed toeither the door hinge pillar, door-latchpost, or the door edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driver'sseating position), or Tire Label locatedon the B-pillar or the edge of the driver'sdoor.
L. Treadwear, Traction andTemperature Grades:
*Treadwear: The treadwear grade is acomparative rating based on the wearrate of the tire when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specifiedgovernment test course. For example,a tire graded 150 would wear 1½ timesas well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
*Traction: The traction grades, fromhighest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C.The grades represent the tire's ability tostop on wet pavement as measuredunder controlled conditions on specifiedgovernment test surfaces of asphalt andconcrete. A tire marked C may havepoor traction performance.
*Temperature: The temperature gradesare A (the highest), B and C,representing the tire's resistance to thegeneration of heat and its ability todissipate heat when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specifiedindoor laboratory test wheel.
M. Maximum Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire manufacturers'maximum permissible pressure or the
pressure 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 to
the driver's seating position), or TireLabel located on the B-pillar or the edgeof the driver's door. The cold inflationpressure should never be set lower thanthe recommended pressure on thevehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additionalmarkings, 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.
395
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
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.
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.See Load Carrying (page 287).
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 long
trips, inspect each tire and check the tirepressure with a tire gauge (includingspare, if equipped). Inflate all tires to theinflation pressure recommended by us.
You are strongly urged to buy a reliabletire pressure gauge, as automaticservice station gauges may beinaccurate. We recommend the use ofa digital or dial-type tire pressure gaugerather than a stick-type tire pressuregauge.
Use the recommended cold inflationpressure for optimum tire performanceand wear. Under-inflation orover-inflation may cause uneventreadwear patterns.
WARNING: Under-inflation is themost common cause of tire failuresand may result in severe tire cracking,tread separation or blowout, withunexpected loss of vehicle control andincreased risk of injury. Under-inflationincreases sidewall flexing and rollingresistance, resulting in heat buildup
397
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
Improper or inadequate vehiclemaintenance can cause tires to wearabnormally. Inspect all your tires,including the spare, frequently, andreplace them if one or more of thefollowing conditions exist:
Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down to onesixteenth of an inch (2 millimeters), tiresmust be replaced to help prevent yourvehicle from skidding and hydroplaning.Built-in treadwear indicators, or wearbars, which look like narrow strips ofsmooth rubber across the tread willappear on the tire when the tread isworn down to one sixteenth of an inch(2 millimeters).
When the tire tread wears down to thesame height as these wear bars, the tireis worn out and must be replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads andsidewalls for damage (such as bulges inthe tread or sidewalls, cracks in the
tread groove and separation in the treador sidewall). If damage is observed orsuspected have the tire inspected by atire professional. Tires can be damagedduring off-road use, so inspection afteroff-road use is also recommended.
Age
WARNING: Tires degrade overtime depending on many factors suchas weather, storage conditions, andconditions of use (load, speed, inflationpressure) the tires experiencethroughout their lives.
WARNING: In general, tiresshould be replaced after six yearsregardless of tread wear. However,heat caused by hot climates orfrequent high loading conditions canaccelerate the aging process and mayrequire tires to be replaced morefrequently.
WARNING: You should replaceyour spare tire when you replace theroad tires or after six years due toaging even if it has not been used.
400
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and TiresE142546
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
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.
This begins with the letters DOT andindicates that the tire meets all federalstandards. The next two numbers orletters are the plant code designatingwhere it was manufactured, the next twoare the tire size code and the last fournumbers represent the week and yearthe tire was built. For example, the
numbers 317 mean the 31st week of1997. After 2000 the numbers go to fourdigits. For example, 2501 means the25th week of 2001. The numbers inbetween are identification codes usedfor traceability. This information is usedto contact customers if a tire defectrequires a recall.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tiresdesigned to provide a safe ride andhandling capability.
WARNING: Only use replacementtires and wheels that are the samesize, load index, speed rating and type(such as P-metric versus LT-metric orall-season versus all-terrain) as thoseoriginally provided by Ford. Therecommended tire and wheel size maybe found on either the SafetyCompliance Certification Label (affixedto either the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver's seating position), or the TireLabel which is located on the B-Pillaror edge of the driver's door. If thisinformation is not found on theselabels, then you should contact yourauthorized dealer as soon as possible.Use of any tire or wheel not
recommended by Ford can affect thesafety and performance of yourvehicle, which could result in anincreased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death.
WARNING: To reduce the risk ofserious injury, when mountingreplacement tires and wheels, youshould not exceed the maximumpressure indicated on the sidewall ofthe tire to set the beads withoutadditional precautions listed below. Ifthe beads do not seat at the maximumpressure indicated, re-lubricate andtry again.
WARNING: When inflating the
tire for mounting pressures up to20 psi (1.38 bar) greater than themaximum pressure on the tire sidewall,the following precautions must betaken to protect the person mountingthe tire:
401
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires
•Make sure that you have the correcttire and wheel size.
•Lubricate the tire bead and wheelbead seat area again.
•Stand at a minimum of 12 ft (3.66 m)away from the wheel and tire
assembly.
•Use both eye and ear protection.
WARNING: For a mountingpressure more than 20 psi (1.38 bar)greater than the maximum pressure,a Ford dealer or other tire serviceprofessional should do the mounting.
WARNING: Always inflate steelcarcass tires with a remote air fill withthe person inflating standing at aminimum of 12 ft (3.66 m) away fromthe wheel and tire assembly.
Important: Remember to replace thewheel valve stems when the road tiresare replaced on your vehicle.
The two front tires or two rear tiresshould generally be replaced as a pair,except if the vehicle is equipped withfour wheel drive. Vehicles equipped withfour wheel drive should have all fourtires replaced simultaneously. Unevenlyworn tires, mismatched makes, modelsor brands can be different in size,resulting in potential damage to the fourwheel drive system.
The tire pressure sensors mounted inthe wheels are not designed to be usedin aftermarket wheels.
The use of wheels or tires notrecommended by us may affect theoperation of your tire pressuremonitoring system.
If the tire pressure monitoring system
indicator is flashing, the system ismalfunctioning. Your replacement tiremight be incompatible with your tirepressure monitoring system, or somecomponent of the system may bedamaged.
Safety Practices
WARNING: If your vehicle is stuckin snow, mud or sand, do not rapidlyspin the tires; spinning the tires cantear the tire and cause an explosion.A tire can explode in as little as threeto five seconds.
WARNING: Do not spin thewheels at over 34 mph (55 km/h). Thetires may fail and injure a passengeror bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to dowith 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 tireagainst a curb when parking
402
Navigator (TB9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201808, First-Printing
Wheels and Tires