wheel alignment FORD TRANSIT CONNECT 2013 1.G Owners Manual

STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the
steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
If the steering wheel vibrates check for:
•improper wheel balance
136Driving Aids
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)

•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.
Note:Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
146Driving Hints
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)

Safety Practices
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand, do not
rapidly spin the tires. Spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause
an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there is always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
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.
226Wheels and Tires
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)

Tire Rotation
WARNING:If the tire label shows different tire pressures for
the front and rear tires and the vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system, then the settings for the system sensors
need to be updated. Always perform the system reset procedure after
tire rotation. If the system is not reset, it may not provide a low tire
pressure warning when necessary. See the TPMS reset procedure in
this chapter.
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/wheel 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 your
scheduled maintenance) will help your tires wear more evenly, providing
better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Front-wheel drive vehicles
(front tires at left of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Wheels and Tires227
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)

T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................195
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................94
Text messaging .........................281
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....282, 284
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tires ...........................212–213, 235
alignment ................................226
care ..........................................212
changing ..........................235, 237
checking the pressure ............222
inflating ...................................220
label .........................................219
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................227
safety practices .......................226
sidewall information ...............215
snow tires and chains ............228
spare tire .................................235
terminology .............................214
tire grades ...............................213
treadwear ........................212, 223
Towing ...............................143–144
recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................143
wrecker ....................................143
Traction control ........................127
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....123fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Trunk
remote release ..........................58
Turn signal ..................................72
U
USB port ......................................93
Using privacy mode ..................278
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................246
Vehicle loading ..........................137
Ventilating your vehicle ...........110
Voice commands in media
mode ..........................................290
Voice commands in phone
mode ..........................................276
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......79
Washer fluid ......................184–185
Water, Driving through .............146
Windows
power .........................................74
rear wiper/washer .....................69
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and
adding fluid
......................184–185
replacing wiper blades ...........187
Wrecker towing .........................143
320Index
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)