inflation pressure FORD TAURUS 2014 6.G User Guide

Note:Some spare tires operate at a higher inflation pressure than the
other tires. For T-type mini-spare tires, see theDissimilar Spare Tire
and Wheel Assembly Informationsection. Store and maintain at 60 psi
(4.15 bar). For full-size and dissimilar spare tires, seeDissimilar Spare
Tire and Wheel Assembly InformationunderChanging a Road Wheel
in this chapter. Store and maintain at the higher of the front and rear
inflation pressure as shown on the Tire Label.
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 or bulges.
Inspecting Your Tires and Wheel Valve Stems
Periodically inspect the tire treads for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects such as stones, nails or glass that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check the tire and valve stems for holes, cracks, or cuts
that may permit air leakage and repair or replace the tire and replace
the valve stem. Inspect the tire sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bruises and
other signs of damage or excessive wear. If internal damage to the tire is
suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected in case it needs to be
repaired or replaced. For your safety, tires that are damaged or show
signs of excessive wear should not be used because they are more likely
to blow out or fail.
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear
abnormally. Inspect all your tires, including the spare, frequently, and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down to
1/16th of an inch (2 millimeters),
tires must be replaced to help
prevent your vehicle from skidding
and hydroplaning. Built-in
treadwear indicators, or wear bars,
which look like narrow strips of
smooth rubber across the tread will
appear on the tire when the tread is
worn down to 1/16th of an inch
(2 millimeters).
When the tire tread wears down to the same height as these wear bars,
the tire is worn out and must be replaced.
324Wheels and Tires
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads and sidewalls for damage (such as
bulges in the tread or sidewalls, cracks in the tread groove and
separation in the tread or sidewall). If damage is observed or suspected,
have the tire inspected by a tire professional. Tires can be damaged
during off-road use, so inspection after off-road use is also
recommended.
WARNING: Age
Tires degrade over time depending on many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (such as load, speed,
inflation pressure) the tires experience throughout their lives.
In general, tires should be replaced after six years regardless of tread
wear. However, heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the aging process and may require tires to be
replaced more frequently.
You should replace your spare tire when you replace the road tires or
after six years due to aging even if it has not been used.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require 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 U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number for
safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
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
designating 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 identification codes used for
traceability. This information is used to contact customers if a tire defect
requires a recall.
Wheels and Tires325
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
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 are driving, the wheels may
be out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer 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 an authorized dealer.
Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension may 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.
Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as
a spare tire or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from
the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel
assembly, it is intended for temporary use only and should not be used
in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance information) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
328Wheels and Tires
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
The tire pressure monitoring system complies with part 15 of the FCC
rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Wheels and Tires331
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Flashing
warning lightSpare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel
and tire assembly and reinstall it on
the vehicle to restore system
function. For a description on how
the system functions, seeWhen
Your Temporary Spare Tire is
Installedin this section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated
and the spare tire is not in use but
the light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
When Inflating Your Tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
How Temperature Affects Your Tire Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors tire pressure in each
pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger
tire inflation pressure may increase about 2 to 4 psi (14 to 28 kPa) from
a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary overnight with the
outside temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature,
the tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop
of 30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may
be detected by the tire pressure monitoring system as being significantly
lower than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the system
warning light for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure warning light
is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more
tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check the air pressure in the road
tires. If any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the
nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires
to the recommended inflation pressure.
334Wheels and Tires
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Do not attempt to repair punctures larger than14inch (6 millimeters) or
damage to the tire’s sidewall. The tire may not completely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tire performance. For this
reason:
•Note:Do not drive the vehicle above 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Note:Do not drive further than 120 miles (200 kilometers). Drive
only to your closest authorized dealer or tire repair shop to have your
tire inspected.
•Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
•Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure in the affected tire; if the
tire is losing pressure, have the vehicle towed.
•Read the information in theTips for Use of the Temporary Mobility
Kitsection to make sure of safe operation of the temporary mobility
kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Temporary Mobility Kit
Read the following list of tips to ensure safe operation of the temporary
mobility kit:
•Before operating the temporary mobility kit, make sure your vehicle is
safely off the road and away from moving traffic. Turn on the hazard
lights.
•Always set the parking brake to make sure the vehicle doesn’t move
unexpectedly.
•Do not remove any foreign objects, such as nails or screws, from the
tire.
•When using the temporary mobility kit, leave the engine running (only
if the vehicle is outdoors or in a well-ventilated area) so the
compressor does not drain the vehicle’s battery.
•Do not allow the compressor to operate continuously for more than
15 minutes. This will help prevent the compressor from overheating.
•Never leave the temporary mobility kit unattended when it is
operating.
•Sealant compound contains latex. Make sure that you use the
non-latex gloves provided to avoid an allergic reaction.
•Keep the temporary mobility kit away from children.
•Only use the temporary mobility kit when the ambient temperature is
between -40°F (-40°C) and 158°F (70°C).
342Wheels and Tires
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

•Only use the sealing compound before the use by date. The use by
date is on the lower right hand corner of the label located on the
sealant canister (bottle). Check the use by date regularly and replace
the canister after four years.
•Do not store the temporary mobility kit unsecured inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle as it may cause injury during a
sudden stop or crash. Always store the kit in its original location.
•After sealant use, an authorized Ford dealer must replace the tire
pressure monitoring system sensor and valve stem on the wheel.
•When inflating a tire or other objects, use the black air hose only.
Do not use the transparent hose which is designed for sealant
application only.
•Operating the temporary mobility kit could cause an electrical
disturbance in radio, CD, and DVD player operation.
What to Do When a Tire Is Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire’s tread area can be repaired in two stages
with the temporary mobility kit:
•In the first stage, the tire will be reinflated with a sealing compound
and air. After the tire has been reinflated, you will need to drive the
vehicle a short distance (about 4 miles [6 kilometers]) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
•In the second stage, check the tire pressure and adjust, if necessary,
to the vehicle’s tire inflation pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire with Sealing Compound and Air
WARNING:Do not stand directly over the temporary mobility
kit while inflating the tire. If you notice any unusual bulges or
deformations in the tire’s sidewall during inflation, stop and call
roadside assistance.
WARNING:If the tire does not inflate to the recommended tire
pressure within 15 minutes, stop and call roadside assistance.
Wheels and Tires343
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Second Stage: Checking Tire Pressure
WARNING:The power plug may get hot after use and should be
handled carefully while unplugging.
Check the air pressure of your tires as follows:
1. Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unhook the black hose from the side of the compressor and fasten
firmly on the valve stem by turning clockwise.
WARNING:If you are proceeding from theFirst stage:
Reinflating the tire with sealing compound and airsection
and have injected sealant in the tire and the pressure is below 20 psi
(1.4 bar), stop and call roadside assistance. If tire pressure is above
20 psi (1.4 bar), continue to the next step.
3. Turn the dial clockwise to the air position. Turn on the kit by pressing
the on/off button.
4. Adjust the tire to the
recommended inflation pressure
from the tire label located on the
driver’s door or door jamb area.
Pressing the deflation button near
the sealant canister removes air
from the tire.
Note:The tire pressure has to be
checked with the compressor in the
off position to get the correct tire
pressure reading.
5. Turn the compressor off by pressing the on/off button.
6. Unplug the hoses, re-install the valve cap on the tire and return the
kit to the stowage area.
PSI
BAR
346Wheels and Tires
2014 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)