tires FORD EXPLORER 1999 2.G User Guide

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. Those
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.
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.
Maintenance and care
223

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the drivers door
jamb.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the Schedule maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheels.
²15'' Four tire rotation
Maintenance and care
224

²16'' Five tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
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.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
Maintenance and care
225

Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved
accessory and recommends use of these or their equivalents. See your
dealer or qualified service technician for more information on tire cables
for your vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
²Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use cables on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and traction devices.
²Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables on your vehicle.
Maintenance and care
226

Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 105 km /h [65 mph] uses 15%
more fuel than traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of speed control (if equipped) may improve fuel economy. Speed
control can help maintain a constant speed and reduce speed changes.
You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain as
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gears may occur and
could result in reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Maintenance and care
233

speed control ............................84
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ................................100
Lumbar support, seats ......116,118
Manual transmission
reverse .....................................156
Message center ...........................15
economy button ........................16
english/metric button ..........15,16
reset button ..............................16
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................246
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....100
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................231
Octane rating ............................229
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................146
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................184
Power door locks ........................99
Power steering ..........................147
fluid, checking and adding ....213
Radio ...33,34,35,36,37,38,40,41,42,
43,44,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,
53,54,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,
63,64,65,66,67,68
Relays ........................................179
Remote entry system .105,113,114
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............31Roof rack ...................................177
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .126,246
extension assembly ................125
for children .............................133
warning light and chime ...11,125
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......120,121,122,123,124
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................134
cleaning ............................245,246
memory seat ....................107,118
Servicing your vehicle .......200,201
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......247
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .250
Speed control ..............................80
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........140,142
jump starting ............192,193,195
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires .............................222,223,224
changing ...........................187,188
checking the pressure ............224
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............226
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................223
Towing ...........168,173,174,175,176
recreational towing .................176
wrecker ....................................198
Traction-lok rear axle ...............165
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................218
Index
259