2022 FORD ESCAPE Owners Manual

In general, tires should be
replaced after six years
regardless of tread wear.
However, heat caused by hot
climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the
aging process and may require
tires to be replaced more
frequently.
You should replace your spare
tire when you replace the road
tires or after six years due to
aging even if it has not been
used.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification
Number
Both United States and Canada
Federal regulations require tire
manufacturers to place
standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and
describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides a U.S. DOT Tire
Identification Number for safety
standard certification and in case
of a recall.
This begins with the letters DOT
and indicates that the tire meets
all federal standards. The next
two numbers or letters are the
plant code designating where it
was manufactured, the next two
are the tire size code and the last
four numbers represent the week
and year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 317 mean
the 31st week of 1997. After 2000, the numbers go to four digits. For
example, 2501 means the 25th
week of 2001. The numbers in
between are identification codes
used for traceability. This
information is used to contact
customers if a tire defect requires
a recall.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING:
Do not exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.
WARNING: Do not use snow chains
on snow-free roads.
WARNING: Only fit snow chains to
specified tires.
WARNING: If your vehicle is fitted
with wheel trims, remove them before
fitting snow chains.
WARNING: If you are driving in
slippery conditions that require tire
chains or cables, then it is critical that
you drive cautiously. Keep speeds down,
allow for longer stopping distances and
avoid aggressive steering to reduce the
chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death.
If the rear end of your vehicle slides while
cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of your
vehicle.
366
Wheel and Tire Information

WARNING: Remember that even
advanced technology cannot defy the
laws of physics. It's always possible to
lose control of a vehicle due to
inappropriate driver input for the
conditions. Aggressive driving on any
road condition can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk
of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the electronic stability
control system is an indication that at
least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator's ability to control
the vehicle potentially resulting in a loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
WARNING: Wheels and tires must
be the same size, load index and speed
rating as those originally fitted on the
vehicle. Use of any other tire or wheel
can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels can
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case or power transfer unit failure.
Follow the recommended tire inflation
pressures found on the Safety
Compliance Certification label, or the
Tire Label on the B-Pillar or the edge of
the driver door. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, or personal injury
or death.
The tires on your vehicle could have
all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. In some climates you will
need to use snow tires and chains on your
vehicle in emergency situations or if
required by law.
Note: The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.
Do not remove these components from your
vehicle when using snow tires and chains. Note:
Driving too fast for road conditions
creates the possibility of loss of vehicle
control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in
damage to vehicle components.
Follow these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
• Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
• Use ultra low profile cables, 10 mm or less in dimension as measured on the
sidewall of your tire, only with
225/60R18 all season tires.
• Do not use snow chains or cables with 225/55R19, or 245/45R20.
• Not all S-class snow chains or cables meet these restrictions. Chains of this
size restriction will include a tensioning
device.
• Purchase chains or cables from a manufacturer that clearly labels body
to tire dimension restrictions. The snow
chains or cables must be mounted in
pairs on the rear tires only.
• When driving with snow chains do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) or the
maximum speed recommended by the
chain manufacturer, whichever is less.
• Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any wiring or
brake lines.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If this does not
work, remove the cables to prevent
vehicle damage.
• Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use tire
chains on dry roads.
If you have any questions regarding snow
chains or cables, please contact your
authorized dealer.
367
Wheel and Tire Information

CHECKING THE TIRE
PRESSURES
Safe operation of your vehicle
requires that your tires are
properly inflated. Every day before
you drive, check your tires.
At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge. Inflate all tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.
See Inflating the Tires (page
368).
INFLATING THE TIRES
WARNING: Under-inflation
is the most common cause of
tire failures and may result in
severe tire cracking, tread
separation or blowout, with
unexpected loss of vehicle
control and increased risk of
injury. Under-inflation increases
sidewall flexing and rolling
resistance, resulting in heat
buildup and internal damage to
the tire. It also may result in
unnecessary tire stress, irregular
wear, loss of vehicle control and
accidents. A tire can lose up to
half of its air pressure and not
appear to be flat!
WARNING: Do not use the
tire pressure displayed in the
information display as a tire
pressure gauge. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in
personal injury or death.
Use the recommended cold
inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear.
Under-inflation or over-inflation
may cause uneven treadwear
patterns.
Inflate your tires to the
recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum
inflation pressure information
found on the tire. You can find the
tire label with the recommended
tire inflation pressure next to the
tire size on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door.
The recommended tire inflation
pressure is also found on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label, affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the
door-latch on the B-pillar, or on
the edge of the driver door.
Failure to follow the tire pressure
recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your
vehicle handles.
368
Tire Care

INSPECTING THE TIRE FOR
WEAR
When the tread is worn down to
one sixteenth of an inch (2 mm),
tires must be replaced to help
prevent your vehicle from skidding
and hydroplaning. Built-in
treadwear indicators, or wear bars,
which look like narrow strips of
smooth rubber across the tread
will appear on the tire when the
tread is worn down to one
sixteenth of an inch (2 mm).
When the tire tread wears down
to the same height as these wear
bars, the tire is worn out and must
be replaced.
The tires should also be balanced
periodically. An unbalanced tire
and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.
Periodically inspect the tire treads
for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects such as stones,
nails or glass that may be wedged
in the tread grooves.INSPECTING THE TIRE FOR
DAMAGE
Inspect the tire sidewalls for
cracking, cuts, bruises and other
signs of damage or excessive
wear. If internal damage to the tire
is suspected, have the tire
dismounted and inspected in case
it needs to be repaired or replaced.
For your safety, tires that are
damaged or show signs of
excessive wear should not be used
because they are more likely to
blow out or fail.
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage, such
as bulges in the tread or sidewalls,
cracks in the tread groove and
separation in the tread or sidewall.
If damage is observed or
suspected, have the tire inspected
by a tire professional.
Safety Practices
WARNING: If your vehicle
is stuck in snow, mud or sand, do
not rapidly spin the tires;
spinning the tires can tear the
tire and cause an explosion. A
tire can explode in as little as
three to five seconds.
WARNING: Do not spin the
wheels at over 34 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and
injure a passenger or bystander.
369
Tire Care

Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive,
there is always the possibility that
you could eventually have a flat
tire on the highway. Drive slowly
to the closest safe area out of
traffic. This could further damage
the flat tire, but your safety is
more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or
you suspect your tire or vehicle
has been damaged, immediately
reduce your speed. Drive with
caution until you can safely pull
off the road. Stop and inspect the
tires for damage. If a tire is
under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and
replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a
cause, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest repair facility or tire
dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or
pothole can cause the front end
of your vehicle to become
misaligned or cause damage to
your tires. If your vehicle seems to
pull to one side when you are
driving, the wheels could be out of
alignment. Have an authorized
dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.Wheel misalignment in the front
or the rear can cause uneven and
rapid treadwear of your tires and
should be corrected by an
authorized dealer.
INSPECTING THE WHEEL
VALVE STEMS
Check the valve stems for holes,
cracks, or cuts that could permit
air leakage.
TIRE ROTATION
WARNING:
If the tire label
shows different tire pressures for
the front and rear tires and the
vehicle has a tire pressure
monitoring system, then you
need to update the settings for
the system sensors. Always
perform the system reset
procedure after tire rotation. If
you do not reset the system, it
may not provide a low tire
pressure warning when
necessary.
Rotating your tires at the
recommended interval will help
your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance
and longer tire life.
Note: If your tires show any uneven
wear have the alignment checked
by an authorized dealer before
rotating tires.
370
Tire Care

Note:If you have a dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly, it is
intended for temporary use only
and should not be used in a tire
rotation.
Note: After having your tires
rotated, inflation pressure must be
checked and adjusted to the
vehicle requirements.
Tire Rotation Diagram
Follow the diagram indicating the
correct tire locations for rotating
the tires.
371
Tire Care

WHAT IS THE TIRE SEALANT
AND INFLATOR KIT
The kit consists of an air compressor to
re-inflate the tire and a canister of sealing
compound that effectively seals most
punctures. This kit provides a temporary
tire repair allowing you to drive your vehicle
up to 120 mi (200 km) at a maximum
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) to reach a tire
service location.
TIRE SEALANT AND INFLATOR
KIT PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Failure to follow these
guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or
death.
WARNING: Do not run the engine
when operating the air compressor
unless the vehicle is outdoors or in a
well-ventilated area.
Note: Do not use the kit if a tire has become
severely damaged. Only punctures located
within the tire tread can be sealed with the
kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures larger
than 0.24 in (6 mm) or damage to the tire's
sidewall. The tire may not completely seal.
• Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
• Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure in the affected tire; if the tire
is losing pressure, have the vehicle
towed.
• Read the information in the Tips for Use of the Kit section to make sure safe
operation of the kit and your vehicle.
LOCATING THE TIRE SEALANT
AND INFLATOR KIT
The kit is located under the load floor in
the rear of the vehicle.
TIRE SEALANT AND INFLATOR
KIT COMPONENTS
E1755977E1755977
Air compressor (inside)
A
Selector switch
B
On and Off button
C
Air pressure gauge
D
Sealant bottle and canister
E
Dual purpose hose: air and repair
F
Tire valve connector
G
372
Tire Sealant and Inflator Kit (If Equipped)

Accessory power plug
H
Casing/housing
I
Bike/raft/sports ball adapters
J
USING THE TIRE SEALANT
AND INFLATOR KIT
Tips for use of the kit
To ensure safe operation of the kit:
• Before operating the kit, make sure
your vehicle is safely off the road and
away from moving traffic.
• Do not remove any foreign objects, such as nails or screws, from the tire.
• Do not allow the compressor to operate continuously for more than 15
minutes. This will help prevent the
compressor from overheating.
• Only use the kit when the ambient temperature is between -22°F (-30°C)
and 158°F (70°C).
• Only use the sealing compound before the use-by date. The use-by date is on
a label on the sealant canister and can
be seen through the rectangular
viewing window on the bottom of the
compressor. Check the use-by date
regularly and replace the canister when
the sealant expires.
Note: Sealant compound contains latex.
Use appropriate precautions to avoid any
allergic reactions.
E175978
When inflation only is required
for a tire or other objects, the
selector must be in the Air
position.
What to do when a tire is punctured
A tire puncture within the tire's tread area
can be repaired in two stages with the kit. • In the first stage, the tire will be
reinflated with a sealing compound
and air. After the tire has been inflated,
you will need to drive the vehicle a
short distance approximately 4 mi
(6 km) to distribute the sealant in the
tire.
• In the second stage, you will need to check the tire pressure and adjust, if
necessary, to the vehicle's specified
tire inflation pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire
with sealing compound and air
WARNING: Do not stand directly
over the kit while inflating the tire. If you
notice any unusual bulges or
deformations in the tire's sidewall during
inflation, stop and call roadside
assistance.
WARNING: If the tire does not
inflate to the recommended tire pressure
within 15 minutes, stop and call roadside
assistance.
Park the vehicle in a safe, level and secure
area, away from moving traffic.
Turn the hazard lights on. Apply the parking
brake and power off the vehicle. Inspect
the flat tire for visible damage.
If a puncture is located in the tire sidewall,
stop and call roadside assistance.
1. Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unwrap the dual purpose hose (black tube) from the back of the compressor
housing.
3. Fasten the hose to the tire valve by turning the connector clockwise.
Tighten the connection securely.
373
Tire Sealant and Inflator Kit (If Equipped)