•Higher - to allow higher load carryingcapacity and to allow it to travel overrough terrain without getting hung upor damaging underbody components.
•Shorter - to give it the capability toapproach inclines and drive over thecrest of a hill without getting hung upor damaging underbody components.All other things held equal, a shorterwheelbase may make your vehiclequicker to respond to steering inputsthan a vehicle with a longer wheelbase.
•Narrower - to provide greatermaneuverability in tight spaces,particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensionaldifferences, sport-utility vehicles, vans andtrucks often will have a higher center ofgravity and a greater difference in centerof gravity between the loaded andunloaded condition.
These differences that make your vehicleso versatile also make it handle differentlythan an ordinary passenger car.
TIRE CARE
Information About UniformTire Quality Grading
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.The Quality grades can be foundwhere applicable on the tiresidewall between tread shoulderand maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that theUnited States Department ofTransportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.They do not apply to deep tread,winter-type snow tires,space-saver or temporary usespare tires, light truck or LT typetires, tires with nominal rimdiameters of 10 to 12 inches orlimited production tires as definedin Title 49 Code of FederalRegulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
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U.S. Department ofTransportation Tire qualitygrades: The U.S. Department ofTransportation requires FordMotor Company to give you thefollowing information about tiregrades exactly as the governmenthas written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is acomparative rating based on thewear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on aspecified government test course.For example, a tire graded 150would wear one and one-half (1½) times as well on thegovernment course as a tiregraded 100. The relativeperformance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of theiruse, 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 tractiongrade assigned to this tire isbased on straight-ahead brakingtraction tests, and does notinclude acceleration, cornering,hydroplaning or peak tractioncharacteristics.
The traction grades, from highestto lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Thegrades represent the tire’s abilityto stop on wet pavement asmeasured under controlledconditions on specifiedgovernment test surfaces ofasphalt and concrete. A tiremarked C may have poor tractionperformance.
Temperature A B C
WARNING: Thetemperature grade for this tire isestablished for a tire that isproperly inflated and notoverloaded. Excessive speed,underinflation, or excessiveloading, either separately or incombination, can cause heatbuildup and possible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A(the highest), B and C,representing the tire’s resistanceto the generation of heat and itsability to dissipate heat whentested under controlled conditionson a specified indoor laboratorytest wheel. Sustained hightemperature can cause thematerial of the tire to degenerateand reduce tire life, and excessivetemperature can lead to suddentire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a level ofperformance which all passengercar tires must meet under the
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the manufacturer’s recommendedcold inflation pressure which canbe found on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label(affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the dooredge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver's seatingposition), or Tire Label located onthe B-pillar or the edge of thedriver's door. The cold inflationpressure should never be set lowerthan the recommended pressureon the Safety ComplianceCertification Label or Tire Label.
When weather temperaturechanges occur, tire inflationpressures also change. A 10°F(6°C) temperature drop cancause a corresponding drop of1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure.Check your tire pressuresfrequently and adjust them to theproper pressure which can befound on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label or Tire Label.
To check the pressure in yourtire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool,meaning they are not hot fromdriving even a mile.
Note:If you are checking tirepressure when the tire is hot, (forexample, driven more than 1.0 mi(1.6 km)), never bleed or reduce airpressure. The tires are hot fromdriving and it is normal forpressures to increase aboverecommended cold pressures. Ahot tire at or below recommendedcold inflation pressure could besignificantly under-inflated.
Note:If you have to drive adistance to get air for your tire(s),check and record the tire pressurefirst and add the appropriate airpressure when you get to thepump. It is normal for tires to heatup and the air pressure inside to goup as you drive.
2. Remove the cap from the valveon one tire, then firmly press thetire gauge onto the valve andmeasure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach therecommended air pressure.
Note:If you overfill the tire, releaseair by pressing on the metal stemin the center of the valve. Thenrecheck the pressure with your tiregauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for eachtire, including the spare.
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HIGH SPEED DRIVING CAN BEDANGEROUS
Correct inflation pressure isespecially important. However, athigh speeds, even with the correctinflation pressure, a road hazardfor example is more difficult toavoid and if contact is made, hasa greater chance of causing tiredamage than at a lower speed.Moreover, driving at high speedreduces the reaction timeavailable to avoid accidents andbring your vehicle to a safe stop.
If you see any damage to a tire orwheel, replace it with the spare atonce and visit a participating TireRetailer.
Exceeding the maximum speedsshown on the following page foreach type of tire will cause the tireto build up excessive heat whichcan cause tire damage that couldresult in sudden tire destructionand rapid air loss. Failure tocontrol a vehicle when one ormore tires experience a sudden airloss can lead to an accident.
In any case, you should notexceed reasonable speeds asindicated by the legal limitsand driving conditions.
DO NOT OVERLOAD: DRIVINGON ANY OVERLOADED TIRE ISDANGEROUS
The maximum load rating of yourtires is molded on the tire sidewall.Do not exceed this rating. Followthe loading instructions of themanufacturer of your vehicle andthis will ensure that your tires arenot overloaded. Tires which areloaded beyond their maximumallowable loads for the particularapplication will build up excessiveheat that may result in sudden tiredestruction. Do not exceed thegross axle weight rating for anyaxle on your vehicle.
TIRE ALTERATIONS
Do not make or allow to be made
any alterations on your tires.Alterations may prevent properperformance, leading to tiredamage which can result in anaccident. Tires which becomeunserviceable due to alterationssuch as truing, whitewall inlays,addition of balancing or sealantliquids, or the use of tire dressingcontaining petroleum distillatesare excluded from warrantycoverage.
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FOLLOW THESE MOUNTINGRECOMMENDATIONS
Tire changing can be dangerousand must be done byprofessionally trained personsusing proper tools andprocedures as specified by theUS Tire ManufacturersAssociation (USTMA). Singleor dual assemblies must becompletely deflated beforedemounting.
Your tires should be mounted onwheels of correct size and typeand which are in good, cleancondition. Wheels that are bent,chipped, rusted (steel wheels) orcorroded (alloy wheels) maycause tire damage. The inside ofthe tire must be free from foreignmaterial. Have your retailer checkthe wheels before mounting newtires. Mismatched tires and rimscan explode during mounting.Also, mismatched tires and rimscan result in dangerous tire failureon the road. If a tire is mounted byerror on the wrong-sized rim, donot remount it on the proper rim -scrap it. It may have beendamaged internally (which is notexternally visible) by having beendangerously stretched and couldfail on the highway.
Old valves may leak. When newtubeless tires are mounted,have new valves of the correcttype installed. Tubeless tiresmust only be mounted onwheels designed for tubelesstires i.e., wheels which havesafety humps or ledges.
It is recommended that you haveyour tires and wheels balanced.Tires and wheels, which are notbalanced, may cause steeringdifficulties, a bumpy ride, andirregular tire wear.
Be sure that all your valveshave suitable valve caps. Thevalve cap is the primary sealagainst air loss.
TEMPORARY SPARE TIRES
When using any temporary sparetire, be sure to follow the vehiclemanufacturer’s instructions.
REMEMBER... TO AVOIDDAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES ANDPOSSIBLE ACCIDENT:
•CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ATLEAST ONCE EACH MONTHWHEN TIRES ARE COLD ANDBEFORE LONG TRIPS.
•DO NOTUNDERINFLATE/OVERINFLATE.
•DO NOT OVERLOAD.
•DRIVE AT MODERATESPEEDS, OBSERVE LEGALLIMITS.
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•AVOID DRIVING OVERPOTHOLES, OBSTACLES,CURBS OR EDGES OFPAVEMENT.
•AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEELSPINNING.
•IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TOA TIRE, REPLACE WITH THESPARE AND VISIT ANYAUTHORIZED RETAILER ATONCE.
•IF YOU HAVE ANYQUESTIONS, CONTACT YOURAUTHORIZED RETAILER.
Driving habits have a great dealto do with your tire mileage andsafety.
*Observe posted speed limits
*Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
*Avoid potholes and objects onthe road
*Do not run over curbs or hit thetire against a curb when parking
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drivethere’s always the possibility thatyou may eventually have a flat tireon the highway. Drive slowly to theclosest safe area out of traffic.This may further damage the flattire, but your safety is moreimportant.
If you feel a sudden vibration orride disturbance when driving, oryou suspect your tire or vehiclehas been damaged, immediatelyreduce your speed. Drive withcaution until you can safely pulloff the road. Stop and inspect thetires for damage. If a tire isunder-inflated or damaged,deflate it, remove wheel andreplace it with your spare tire andwheel. If you cannot detect acause, have the vehicle towed tothe nearest repair facility or tiredealer to have the vehicleinspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb orpothole can cause the front endof your vehicle to become
misaligned or cause damage toyour tires. If your vehicle seems topull to one side when you’redriving, the wheels may be out ofalignment. Have an authorizeddealer check the wheel alignmentperiodically.
Wheel misalignment in the frontor the rear can cause uneven andrapid treadwear of your tires andshould be corrected by anauthorized dealer. Front-wheeldrive vehicles and those with anindependent rear suspension mayrequire alignment of all fourwheels.
The tires should also be balancedperiodically. An unbalanced tireand wheel assembly may result inirregular tire wear.
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•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chainsrub or bang against your vehicle, stopand retighten the chains. If this doesnot work, remove the chains to preventdamage to your vehicle.
•Remove the snow chains when theyare no longer needed. Do not use snowchains on dry roads.
Please contact your upfitter for approvedsnow chain types/sizes and otherrecommendations for snow chain use.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: The tire pressuremonitoring system is not a substitute formanually checking tire pressures. Youshould periodically check tire pressuresusing a pressure gauge. Failure tocorrectly maintain tire pressures couldincrease the risk of tire failure, loss ofcontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
WARNING: Changes ormodifications not expressively approvedby the party responsible for compliancecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment. The term "IC:" before theradio certification number only signifiesthat Industry Canada technicalspecifications were met.
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC Rules and with License exempt RSSStandards of Industry Canada. Operationis subject to the following two conditions:
1.This device may not cause harmfulinterference.
2.This device must accept anyinterference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Each tire, including the spare, ifprovided, should be checkedmonthly when cold and inflatedto the inflation pressure recommended bythe vehicle manufacturer on the vehicleplacard or tire inflation pressure label. Ifyour vehicle has tires of a different sizethan the size indicated on the vehicleplacard or tire inflation pressure label, youshould determine the proper tire inflationpressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehiclehas been equipped with a Tire PressureMonitoring System (TPMS) thatilluminates a low tire pressure telltalewhen one or more of your tires issignificantly under-inflated. Accordingly,when the low tire pressure telltaleilluminates, you should stop and checkyour tires as soon as possible, and inflatethem to the proper pressure. Driving on asignificantly under-inflated tire causes thetire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiencyand tire tread life, and may affect thevehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not asubstitute for proper tire maintenance, andit is the driver's responsibility to maintaincorrect tire pressure, even if under-inflationhas not reached the level to triggerillumination of the TPMS low tire pressuretelltale.
Your vehicle has a TPMS malfunctionindicator to indicate when the system isnot operating properly. The TPMSmalfunction indicator is combined with thelow tire pressure telltale. When the systemdetects a malfunction, the telltale flashesfor approximately one minute and thenremains continuously illuminated. Thissequence continues upon subsequentvehicle start-ups as long as themalfunction exists.
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Customer Action RequiredPossible CauseLow Tire PressureWarning Light
Make sure tires are at the proper pres-sure. See Inflating your tires in thischapter. After inflating your tires to themanufacturer’s recommended pressureas shown on the Tire Label, located onthe edge of driver door or the B-Pillar, thevehicle must be driven for at least twominutes over 20 mph (32 km/h) beforethe light turns off.
Tire(s) under-inflatedSolid warning light
Repair the damaged road wheel and tireassembly and reinstall it on the vehicleto restore system function. For adescription on how the system functions,see When your temporary spare tireis installed in this section.
Spare tire in use
If the tires are properly inflated and thespare tire is not in use but the lightremains on, contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
TPMS malfunction
Repair the damaged road wheel and tireassembly and reinstall it on the vehicleto restore system function. For adescription on how the system functions,see When your temporary spare tireis installed in this section.
Spare tire in useFlashing warninglight
If the tires are properly inflated and thespare tire is not in use but the lightremains on, contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
TPMS malfunction
When Inflating Your Tires
When putting air into your tires, such as ata gas station or in your garage, the tirepressure monitoring system may notrespond immediately to the air added toyour tires.
It may take up to two minutes of drivingover 20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turnoff after you have filled your tires to therecommended inflation pressure.
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