Following these tips for proper tire maintenance is an important part of staying safe on the road.
Inflating Your Tires
Every day before you drive, check your tires. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure without appearing flat. At least once a month and before long trips, inspect each tire and check the tire pressure with a tire gauge (including spare, if equipped).
Follow these step to ensure your tires are properly inflated:
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Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. Note: If you have to drive a distance to get air for your tire(s), check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure when you get to the pump. It's normal for tires to heat up and the air pressure inside to increase as you drive. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. |
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Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve and measure the pressure. |
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Add enough air to reach the air pressure recommended by Ford. Check the tire label on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver's door for this information. Note: If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge. |
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Replace the valve cap. |
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Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare. Note: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other tires. Check the tire label on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver's door for the recommended spare tire pressure. |
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Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air leak. |
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Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts or bulges. |
We encourage the purchase of a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station gauges may be inaccurate. We recommend the use of a digital or dial type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick-type tire pressure gauge.
For more information about properly inflating your tires and a new system available in many new vehicles that automatically checks your tire pressure, visit the Check My Tires website.
Weather Changes Affect Tire Pressure
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10F (6C) temperature drop can cause a corresponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures frequently and adjust them to the proper pressure, which can be found on the tire label or certification label.
Inspect Your Tires
Inspecting Your Tires—Periodically inspect the tire treads for uneven or excessive wear. Tires that are damaged or show signs of excessive wear should not be used because they are more likely to blow out or fail.
- Remove objects such as stones, nails or glass that may be wedged in the tread grooves.
- Check for holes or cuts that may permit air leakage from the tire and make necessary repairs.
- Inspect the tire sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bruises and other signs of damage or excessive wear. If you suspect there is internal damage to the tire, have the tire demounted and inspected by a tire professional.
Tire Wear
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear abnormally. Inspect all tires, including the spare, frequently, and replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
- When the tread is worn down to 1/16th 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 1/16th of an inch (2 mm).
- If damage to the treads and sidewalls, such as bulges in the tread or sidewalls, cracks in the tread groove or separation in the tread or sidewall is observed or suspected, have the tire inspected by a tire professional. Tires can be damaged during off-road use, so inspection after off-road use is also recommended.
Age
If a tire is more than 6 years old, it is generally in need of replacement. Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the aging process. You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires due to the aging of the spare tire.
Replacing Your Tires
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus all-terrain) as those originally provided. Use of any tire or wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure.
It is recommended that the two front tires or two rear tires generally be replaced as a pair.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there's always the possibility that you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the closest safe area out of traffic. This may 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 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're driving, the wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician 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 a qualified technician at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the scheduled maintenance information that comes with your vehicle) will help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles (front tires at top of diagram)
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles/Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles (front tires at top of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note: If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, 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.
