spare wheel LINCOLN AVIATOR 2004 User Guide

Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility to check for and correct any wheel misalignment,
tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
ªwear barsº, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
ªwear barsº, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
²Fabric showing through the tire rubber
²Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
²Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
²Cracks in the tread groove
²Impact damage resulting from use
²Separation in the tread
²Separation in the sidewall
²Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Maintenance and Specifications
309

Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
²Observe posted speed limits
²Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
²Avoid potholes and objects on the road
²Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If you vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly 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.
Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, or directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35 mph) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there's 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 tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove 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.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
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, you may need to use snow
tires and chains.
Maintenance and Specifications
310

Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................314, 316
Speed control ............................109
Starting your vehicle ........193±195
jump starting ..........................251
Steering
speed sensitive .......................203
Steering wheel
controls ....................................111
T
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................216
Maintenance and
Specifications ..........................299
Roadside Emergencies ...........243
Warning Displays ......................14
Tires ...........................243, 296±297
changing ..................243, 247, 250
replacing ..................................247
snow tires and chains ............310
spare tire .................243, 245±246
tire grades ...............................297
treadwear ................................297
Towing .......................................225
recreational towing .................230
trailer towing ..........................225
wrecker ....................................256Transmission .............................204
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....204
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................296
fluid, refill capacities ..............312
lubricant specifications ..314, 316
Trunk .........................................139
Turn signal ..................................87
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................316
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................318
Vehicle loading ..........................221
Ventilating your vehicle ...........196
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................275
Water, Driving through .............221
Windows
power .......................................102
rear wiper/washer .....................98
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................97
checking and adding fluid .....275
checking and cleaning ..............98
liftgate reservoir .....................275
replacing wiper blades .............98
Wrecker towing .........................256
Index
329