tires FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual

133
*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your
vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or
snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the spot.
Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and
reverse gears. While in each gear, press lightly
on the accelerator and release.
*
[DR15900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
*
[DR16000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR16400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR16500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
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134
*
[DR16600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR16650(ALL)03/94]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry. The total weight of your
vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers and
cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
*
[DR16800(ALL)07/93]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left door lock pillar.
*
[DR16900(ALL)07/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR17150(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR17400(ALL)02/95]
Do not use your Aspire for towing a trailer.
*
[DR22320(ALL)03/91]
Towing Behind Another Vehicle Ð
Recreational Vehicle
*
[DR22350(ALL)02/92]
Towing an automatic transaxle (ATX) equipped
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), is not recommended
unless a front wheel dolly or trailer is used. Do
not tow your ATX equipped vehicle with the
front wheels on the ground or transaxle damage
may occur.
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144
*
[RE07600(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07700(ALL)02/92]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. If you have an automatic transaxle,
put the gearshift in P (Park). If you have a
manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1
(First). Set the parking brake and block the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the tire
that you are changing.
[RE08000(ALL)02/89]
half page art:0030148-A
Blocking the wheel diagonally opposite the tire being
changed
*
[RE08090(ALL)07/95]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground,
the transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle
from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the
vehicle is in P (Park) or 1 (First). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change one of
the front tires, put a block behind the wheel that
is diagonally opposite to the tire.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:52:09 1996

152 [RE13150(ALL)05/94]If it is necessary to tow your vehicle from the
rear (with the rear wheels off the ground), a
dolly must be placed under the front tires to
prevent transaxle damage.
*
[RE13200(ALL)01/94]
Do not use your vehicle's steering column lock
to secure the wheels in a straight-ahead position.
Always use a steering wheel clamping device
designed for towing service.
*
[RE13250(ALL)02/92]
Refer toTowing behind another vehicle Ð
recreational vehiclein the Index for information on
towing behind an RV.
File:12icref.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:52:09 1996

186 %
*
[SV12300(ALL)07/95]
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy Estimates
*
[SV12400(ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
%*
[SV12500(ALL)06/95]
Improving Fuel Economy
*
[SV12515(ALL)05/95]
Fuel economy is affected by a number of
variables which can reduce efficiency. You can
improve fuel economy by understanding these
variables and minimizing their effect.
*
[SV12525(ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
*
[SV12550(ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
*
[SV12575(ALL)05/95]
q
Excessive speed
*
[SV12625(ALL)05/95]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
*
[SV12650(ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
*
[SV12675(ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
*
[SV12725(ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
*
[SV12750(ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
*
[SV12775(ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
*
[SV12825(ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
*
[SV12850(ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
[SV13550(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more) fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
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200
*
[SV24600(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV24700(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
*
[SV24900(ALL)03/95]
q
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures.
*
[SV25000(ALL)02/95]
q
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limitsin the Index).
*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[SV25200(ALL)10/89]
q
Drive at safe speeds.
*
[SV25300(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[SV25390(ALL)07/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
*
[SV25400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for 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.
%*
[SV25600(ALL)05/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
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201
*
[SV25850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
%*
[SV25875(ALL)07/95]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
*
[SV25880(ALL)02/95]
Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails,
glass or other objects that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may
permit air to leak from the tire, and make the
necessary repairs.
*
[SV25890(ALL)05/95]
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and
other damage. If you suspect internal damage to
the tire, have it removed and checked. You may
need to repair or replace it.
%*
[SV25900(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV26000(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
*
[SV26100(ALL)04/95]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
*
[SV26150(ALL)03/95]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. If you notice the
tires wearing unevenly, have them checked.
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202 [SV26200(ALL)09/93]
one third page art:0030224-ERotating the tires
*
[SV26400(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
[SV26600(ALL)02/95]
We recommend you use all weather tires when
you replace your tires.
*
[SV26700(ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
*
[SV26800(ALL)09/89]
quarter page art:0060006-A
A worn-out tire
*
[SV26900(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread. Some spots
wear more heavily than others.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

203
*
[SV27000(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
*
[SV27100(ALL)01/95]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
*
[SV27200(ALL)04/95]
Wheel and Tire Matching
[SV27250(ALL)02/95]
See an authorized tire dealer for proper
servicing procedures. Wheels and tires must be
properly removed, matched and remounted to
maintain the best possible ride.
%*
[SV28100(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV28200(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
*
[SV28250(ALL)01/95]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

204
*
[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
%*
[SV28399(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV28400(ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
*
[SV28499(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
*
[SV28500(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996