traction control FORD EXPEDITION 2003 2.G User Guide

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
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).
U.S. Department of Transportation-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.
Treadwear
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.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
295

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
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.
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.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires arecold,after the vehicle has
been parked for at least 3 hours or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles). As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up, increasing
the tire pressure.
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
•Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for
proper air pressure every six months.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Maintenance and Specifications
296

opening the trunk ...................130
panic alarm .............................130
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................132
replacing the batteries ...........132
Reverse sensing system ...........206
Roadside assistance ..................227
Roof rack ...................................127
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............14, 155, 158–162
Safety Canopy ...........................173
Safety defects, reporting ..........258
Safety restraints ........155, 158–162
belt minder .............................164
extension assembly ................167
for adults .........................159–161
for children .....................176–177
lap belt ....................................163
warning light and
chime ...................12, 14, 163–164
Safety seats for children ..........180
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............155
Seats ..........................................141
child safety seats ....................180
climate control ........................144
memory seat ...................131, 144
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............137–139
Servicing your vehicle ..............265
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................236Spark plugs,
specifications .....................300, 305
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................303, 305
Speed control ............................103
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your vehicle ........191–193
jump starting ..........................241
Steering
speed sensitive .......................198
Steering wheel
controls ............................103, 106
T
Tachometer .................................18
Tire warning ..............................298
Tires ...................236, 295–296, 298
changing ..........................236, 238
checking the pressure ............296
replacing ..................................297
rotating ....................................297
snow tires and chains ............299
tire grades ...............................296
treadwear ................................295
Towing .......................................221
recreational towing .................226
trailer towing ..........................221
wrecker ....................................247
Traction control
active light ................................12
Transmission .............................202
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................291
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
Index
318