tires FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1997 1.G Owners Manual

165
% [GF03900( ALL)12/95]
Traction-Lok Axle (If equipped)
[GF04000( ALL)12/95]
This axle provides added traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a
poor traction surface. Under normal conditions
the Traction-Lok axle functions as a standard
rear axle.
*
[GF04100( ALL)03/96]
Extended use of other than matching size tires
on a Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect normal driving and
should not be noticeable to the driver.
*
[GF04200( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
%
*
[GF04300( BCGV)03/96]
Traction Assist
TM
(If equipped)
*
[GF04400( BCGV)03/96]
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Assist
TM
system. This system helps
prevent wheel spin in order to improve tire
traction and is an especially useful feature when
you drive in hilly areas or on slippery, icy or
snowy roads.
[GF04500( BCGV)05/96]
Traction Assist
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes to prevent one
or both of the rear drive wheels from spinning
during acceleration.
[GF04800( BCGV)12/95]
During the Traction Assist
TM
function, which
most often occurs during low speed acceleration
on slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard
coming from the engine compartment. This noise
is created by the ABS pump and is normal and
may last for a few seconds during the
acceleration of the vehicle.
File:09rcgfv.ex
Update:Mon Sep 23 12:37:37 1996

174
*
[GF15800( 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.
*
[GF15900( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
%*
[GF16000( ALL)01/96]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
*
[GF16100( ALL)12/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the
left front door pillar.
*
[GF16200( ALL)01/96]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
*
[GF16300( ALL)01/96]
q
the driver and passengers
*
[GF16400( ALL)01/96]
q
luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
*
[GF16600( ALL)01/96]
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
*
[GF16700( ALL)01/96]
If you do not know the actual weights of these
items, use the following procedure to figure the
weight of a load:
*
[GF16800( ALL)01/96]
1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver,
passengers and luggage. You might take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
*
[GF16900( ALL)01/96]
2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
File:09rcgfv.ex
Update:Mon Sep 23 12:37:37 1996

177
*
[GF25400( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
[GF25500( ALL)12/95]
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 transmission, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[GF25600( ALL)01/96]
High water
*
[GF25700( ALL)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[GF25800( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF25900( ALL)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
File:09rcgfv.ex
Update:Mon Sep 23 12:37:37 1996

191
*
[ER08600( ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ER08700( ALL)03/96]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ER08800( ALL)01/96]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
%
*
[ER09300( ALL)02/96]
Changing a Tire
*
[ER09400( ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[ER09500( ALL)02/96]
The Temporary Spare Tire
%*
[ER09600( GV)02/96]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare
tire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use only. Use it
only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with
the words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that
you can easily identify it.
*
[ER09800( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
File:10rcerv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:32:02 1996

192
*
[ER09900( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
*
[ER10000( ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[ER10100( ALL)02/96]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[ER10200( ALL)02/96]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[ER10300( ALL)02/96]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[ER10400( ALL)02/96]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[ER10500( ALL)02/96]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[ER10600( ALL)02/96]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
% [ER10800( GV)02/96]
Using the Conventional Spare Tire
(If equipped)
[ER10900( GV)05/96]
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can
use it as a spare tire only. This spare tire is
identical to the other tires that come with your
vehicle, although the wheel may not match.
File:10rcerv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:32:02 1996

232not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
*
[MC24600( ALL)01/96]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
*
[MC24700( ALL)02/96]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[MC24800( ALL)01/96]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
%
*
[MC24900( ALL)01/96]
Tires
%*
[MC25001( ALL)03/96]
Checking Tire Pressure
*
[MC25100( ALL)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
*
[MC25200( 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).
*
[MC25400( ALL)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
*
[MC25900( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
File:11rcmcv.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:05:52 1996

233 %
*
[MC26000( ALL)01/96]
Tire Rotation
*
[MC26100( 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.
*
[MC26200( ALL)12/95]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
[MC26600( GV)05/96]
half page art:0010381-C
Rotating the tires
File:11rcmcv.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:05:52 1996

234 [MC26700( GV)05/96]NOTE: Do not mix the steel wheel with
aluminum wheels in tire rotation
sequence.
%*
[MC26800( ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
*
[MC26900( 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.
% [MC27000( ALL)12/95]
one inch art:0001318-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC27100( 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.
*
[MC27200( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC27300( ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
File:11rcmcv.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:05:52 1996

235 %
*
[MC27400( ALL)01/96]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[MC27500( 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.
*
[MC27600( 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).
*
[MC27700( 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.
%*
[MC27800( ALL)01/96]
Treadwear
*
[MC27900( 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:11rcmcv.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:05:52 1996

236
*
[MC28000( ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
*
[MC28100( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC28150( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
*
[MC28200( ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC28300( 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:11rcmcv.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:05:52 1996