winter tires FORD GT 2005 1.G Owners Manual

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.
2005 GT(gto)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Tires
Your Ford GT is equipped with low profile, high performance tires that
are designed to optimize handling, steering and braking. These tires are
not designed for off-road or winter performance, and their ride, noise
and wear characteristics are different than other tires. Also, because of
their lower profile, the tires are more susceptible to damage due to
potholes and rough or unpaved roads. To ensure that your tires perform
as designed, it is important that you maintain your tires properly:
•Always maintain your tire pressures according to the tire information
label on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver ’s door using an accurate
gauge.
• Tire pressures are specified “cold ”and should be checked after the
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours. Do not reduce pressure
of warm tires.
• Check your tire pressure often to maintain it properly. Tire pressure
can diminish over time and fluctuate with temperature.
• Do not overload your vehicle. Maximum vehicle and axle weights are
listed on the tire information placard.
• Extra caution should be taken when operating the vehicle near its
maximum load, including assuring proper tire pressure and reducing
speeds.
• Extra caution should be taken when operating on rough roads to avoid
impacts that could cause tire damage.
• In the event that you encounter an abnormally harsh impact, inspect
you tires for damage.
• Inspect your tires for damage on a regular basis. If a tire is damaged,
replace it immediately.
• Proper suspension alignment is critical for maximum performance and
optimal tire wear. If you notice uneven tire wear, have you alignment
checked.
• Rotate tires as recommended in this section of the Owner Guide.
• When replacing tires, the only way to assure original performance is to
use the original equipment tire.
2005 GT(gto)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)
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Wheels
Your Ford GT is equipped with unique wheels matched to the tires.
These wheels are more susceptible to damage due to their diameter,
width and low profile tires. To avoid damage to your wheels:
•Maintain proper tire pressure (see “Tires ”previously listed).
• When installing wheels, always torque lug nuts to specification with a
torque wrench.
• Inspect your wheels for damage on a regular basis. If a wheel is
damaged, replace it immediately.
• In the event that you encounter an abnormally harsh impact, inspect
the outer diameter of your wheels, both inside and out, for damage
Operating a performance vehicle at higher than normal speeds
Your Ford GT is capable of operating at higher than normal speeds and is
equipped with tires rated for the vehicles ’maximum speed. However, it
is important to remember to always drive safely, obey all traffic laws and
only operate your Ford GT at higher than normal speeds at locations and
under conditions where such can be done safely. Also, before operating
your vehicle at higher than normal speeds:
• Maintain your tire pressures according to the tire information and high
speed warning labels located on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver ’s
door.
• Inspect wheels and tires for wear and damage. Replace any damaged
wheels or tires.
Winter driving
The original equipment tires on your Ford GT are designed for maximum
performance in dry and wet conditions. They are not designed for winter
use on ice or snow and cannot be used with snow chains or other tire
mounted traction aids.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you ’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
2005 GT(gto)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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SNOW TIRES
The original equipment tires on your Ford GT are designed for maximum
performance in dry and wet conditions. They are not designed for winter
use on ice or snow and cannot be used with snow chains or other tire
mounted traction aid devices.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
VEHICLE LOADING
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of
vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle’s weight
ratings from the vehicle ’s Safety Certification Label and Tire Label:
Base Curb Weight –is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight –is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
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Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style —good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
• Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
• Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Slow down gradually.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Lubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in the scheduled maintenance guide chapter.
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