tires FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual

118
*
[GF12005(ALL)01/96]
Parking
*
[GF12010(ALL)01/96]
To park your vehicle, shift into 1 (First), set the
parking brake fully, and turn off the ignition.
*
[GF12015(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it
may move unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
%
*
[GF30000(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
[GF30100(ALL)04/96]
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.
*
[GF30200(ALL)01/96]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left door lock pillar.
*
[GF30300(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:09icgff.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:54:55 1997

133 %
*
[ER07600(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[ER07700(ALL)01/96]
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.
[ER08000(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0030148-A
Blocking the wheel diagonally opposite the tire being
changed
*
[ER08090(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:10icerf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:55:59 1997

144 [ER12600(ALL)01/96]When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck oerators. Have your
tow truck driver refer to this manual for the
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your
vehicle.
*
[ER13000(ALL)01/96]
Towing With the Back Wheels Off the
Ground
[ER13150(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[ER13200(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[ER13250(ALL)01/96]
Refer toTowing behind another vehicle
Ðrecreational vehiclein the Index for information
on towing behind an RV.
File:10icerf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:55:59 1997

167 [MC31100(ALL)01/96]
two third page art:0032257-A
Replacing the wiper blades
%*
[MC43172(ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[MC43174(ALL)03/96]
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:
*
[MC43176(ALL)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
*
[MC43178(ALL)02/96]
q
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).
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

168
*
[MC43180(ALL)03/96]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[MC43182(ALL)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
*
[MC43184(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[MC43186(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
*
[MC43188(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
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.
%*
[MC43190(ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[MC43192(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

169 %
*
[MC43194(ALL)01/96]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
*
[MC43196(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC43198(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC43200(ALL)01/96]
Tire Rotation
*
[MC43202(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC43204(ALL)01/96]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
*
[MC43206(ALL)02/96]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. If you notice the tires wearing
unevenly, have them checked.
[MC43208(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030224-E
Rotating the tires
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

170 %
*
[MC43210(ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
[MC43212(ALL)01/96]
We recommend you use all weather tires when
you replace your tires.
*
[MC43214(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC43216(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0060006-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC43218(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread.
*
[MC43220(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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.
*
[MC43222(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

171 %
*
[MC43224(ALL)03/96]
Wheel and Tire Matching
*
[MC43226(ALL)03/96]
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.
%*
[MC43228(ALL)01/96]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[MC43230(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC43232(ALL)01/96]
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).
*
[MC43234(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC43236(ALL)01/96]
Treadwear
*
[MC43238(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

172
*
[MC43240(ALL)01/97]
Traction A B C
*
[MC43242(ALL)01/97]
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.
*
[MC43243(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
*
[MC43244(ALL)01/97]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC43246(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

173
*
[MC43247(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
%*
[MC43248(ALL)08/96]
Snow Tires and Chains
*
[MC43250(ALL)08/96]
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads
that provide traction in rain or snow. However,
during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
*
[MC43252(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and
grade as the tires you currently have on
your vehicle.
*
[MC43254(ALL)01/96]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
*
[MC43256(ALL)01/96]
q
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the
use of tire chains. Investigate the laws and
regulations in your area before installing
chains.
*
[MC43258(ALL)01/96]
q
Tire chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TIRE
CHAINS ARE INSTALLED ON STEEL
WHEELS ONLY. Be sure to remove wheel
covers (if equipped) from steel rims before
using tire chains to avoid scratches or
damage.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997