FORD MUSTANG 2004 4.G Owners Manual

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.
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.
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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.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles
of service, but they must be maintained in order to
get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original
Equipment) tire sizes, recommended inflation
pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle can
carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number
on the sidewall of each tire providing information
about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire
size and date of manufacturer.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of
air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a maximum load at 35 psi
[37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing the
inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not
increase the tires load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires
designed to carry a heavier maximum load at 41
psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will
not increase the tires load carrying capability.
•kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
•PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of
air pressure.
•B-pillar:The structural member at the side of
the vehicle behind the front door.
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•Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to
the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead
area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of
the tire that contacts the road when mounted on
the vehicle.
•Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a
tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads
are seated.
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE
SIDEWALL
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all tires.
This information identifies and describes the
fundamental characteristics of the tire and also
provides a tire identification number for safety
standard certification and in case of a recall.
Information on“P”type tires
P215/65R15 95H is an
example of a tire size,
load index and speed
rating. The definitions
of these items are
listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index
and speed rating for
your vehicle may be
different than this
example.)
1.P:Indicates a tire, designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA), that maybe used for service on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks.
Note:If your tire size does not begin with a letter
this may mean it is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or
JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing Association).
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2.215:Indicates the nominal width of the tire in
millimeters from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.
3.65:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the
tire’s ratio of height to width.
4.R:Indicates a“radial”type tire.
5.15:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
If you change your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
6.95:Indicates the tire’s load index. It is an index
that relates to how much weight a tire can carry.
You may find this information in your owner’s guide.
If not, contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires
because it is not required by federal law.
7.H:Indicates the tire’s speed rating. The speed
rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed
to be driven for extended periods of time under a
standard condition of load and inflation pressure.
The tires on your vehicle may operate at different
conditions for load and inflation pressure. These
speed ratings may need to be adjusted for the
difference in conditions. The ratings range from
159 km/h (99 mph) to 299 km/h (186 mph). These
ratings are listed in the following chart.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires
because it is not required by federal law.
Letter rating Speed rating - km/h (mph)
Q 159 km/h (99 mph)
R 171 km/h (106 mph)
S 180 km/h (112 mph)
T 190 km/h (118 mph)
U 200 km/h (124 mph)
H 210 km/h (130 mph)
V 240 km/h (149 mph)
W 270 km/h (168 mph)
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Letter rating Speed rating - km/h (mph)
Y 299 km/h (186 mph)
Note:For tires with a maximum speed capability over
240 km/h (149 mph), tire manufacturers sometimes use the
letters ZR. For those with a maximum speed capability over
299 km/h (186 mph), tire manufacturers always use the
letters ZR.
8.U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN):
This begins with the letters“DOT”and indicates that
the tire meets all federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters are the plant code where it was
manufactured, the next two are the tire size code
and the last four numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For example, the numbers
317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the
numbers go to four digits. For example, 2501 means
the 25th week of 2001. The numbers in between are
marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s
discretion. This information is used to contact
customers if a tire defect requires a recall.
9.M+S or M/S:Mud and Snow. or
AT:All Terrain. or
AS:All Season.
10.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:
Indicates the number of plies or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the
ply materials in the tire and the sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in
kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the
tire. Refer to the tire label or the safety certification
label, located on the B-Pillar or the driver’s door, for
the correct tire pressure for your vehicle
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature
Grades
•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
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tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(11⁄2) times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
•Traction: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.
•Temperature: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.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:
Tire manufactures maximum permissible pressure
and/or the pressure at which the maximum load can
be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold
inflation pressure which can be found on either the
tire label or certification label which is located on
the structure by the trailing edge of the driver’s door
or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation
pressure should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the label.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires
because it is not required by federal law.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings,
notes or warnings such as standard load, radial
tubeless, etc.
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Additional information contained on the tire
sidewall for“LT”type tires
“LT”type tires have
some additional
information than those
of“P”type tires; these
differences are
described below:
1.LT:Indicates a tire,
designated by the Tire
and Rim Association
(T&RA), that is
intended for service on
light trucks.
2.Load Range/Load Inflation Limits:Indicates
the tires load-carrying capabilities and its inflation
limits.
3.Maximum Load Dual kg (lbs.) at kPa (psi)
cold:Indicates the maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a dual; a dual is defined as
when four tires are put on the rear axle (a total of
six or more tires on the vehicle).
4.Maximum Load Single kg (lbs.) at kPa (psi)
cold:Indicates the maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a single; a single is defined
as when two tires (total) are put on the rear axle.
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Information on“T”type tires
T145/80D16 is an
example of a tire size.
Note:The temporary
tire size for your
vehicle may be
different than this
example.
1.T:Indicates a type
of tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA),
that is intended for
temporary service on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks.
2.145:Indicates the nominal width of the tire in
millimeters from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.
3.80:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the
tires ratio of height to width. Numbers of 70 or
lower indicate a short sidewall.
4.D:Indicates a“diagonal”type tire.
R:Indicates a“radial”type tire.
5.16:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
If you change your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
Location of the tire label
You will find a tire label containing tire inflation
pressure by tire size and other important
information located on the B-Pillar or the driver’s
door.
TIRE CARE
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can
also cause tires to wear abnormally. Here are some
of the important maintenance items
SPARETIRE
TEMPORARYUSEONLYINFLATETO60P.S.I.T
T145/80D16105M
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Tire inflation pressure
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure,
including the spare, at least monthly and before long
trips. You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire
pressure gauge, as automatic service station gauges
may be inaccurate.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for
optimum tire performance and wear. Under-inflation
or over-inflation may cause uneven treadwear
patterns.
Under-inflation is the most common cause of
tire failures and may result in severe tire
cracking, tread separation orblowout, with
unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased
risk of injury. Under-inflation increases sidewall
flexing and rolling resistance, resulting in heat
buildup and internal damage to the tire. It also
may result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular
wear, loss of vehicle control and accidents. A tire
can lose up to half of its air pressure and not
appear to be flat!
When weather temperature changes occur, tire
inflation pressures also change. A 10 degree
temperature change causes a corresponding drop of
7 kPa (1 psi) in inflation pressure. Check your tire
pressures frequently and adjust them to the proper
pressure which can be found on the tire label or
certification label.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, (i.e.
driven more than 1.6 km [1mile]), never“bleed”or
reduce air pressure. The tires are hot from driving
and it is normal for pressures to increase above
recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below
recommended cold inflation pressure could be
significantly under-inflated.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not
hot from driving even a mile.
Note:If you have to drive a distance to get air for
your tire(s), check and record the tire pressure first
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and add the appropriate air pressure when you get
to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and
the air pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never
“bleed”or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then
firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve.
3. Add air to reach the recommended air pressure
Note:If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing
on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Then
recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the
spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation
pressure than the other tires.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are
no nails or other objects embedded that could poke
a hole in the tire and cause an air leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no
gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.
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 damage to your tires. If your vehicle seems to pull
to one side, vibrate or shake when you’re driving,
the wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified
technician at a reputable repair facility check the
wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can
cause uneven and rapid treadwear of your tires and
should be corrected by a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility. Front wheel drive (FWD)
vehicles, and those with independent front
suspension require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An
unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.
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