tires LINCOLN BLACKWOOD 2003 Owner's 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 climates.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
251

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.
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.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label inside of driver’s door. Tire pressure information
can also be found on the Tire Information label located on the inside
of the fuel filler door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
252

Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheels, if your vehicle is equipped with dual rear wheels it is
recommended that only the front wheels be rotated (side to side).
•Four tire rotation
•Five tire rotation
Maintenance and Specifications
253

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads. Due to exposure to the
elements and exhaust you should
replace the spare tire when you
replace the other tires.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle handling may be affected which can lead to loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
speed rating, load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All
Terrain”,“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with“high performance”tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be
adversely effected which can lead to loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
Maintenance and Specifications
254

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. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component4.2L V6
engine4.6L V8
engine5.4L V8
engine5.4LSuperchargedV8 engine
Air filter
elementFA-1632 FA-1632 FA-1632
FA-1682
Fuel filter FG-986B FG-986B FG-986B FG-986B
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S FL-820-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-251 EV-243 EV-233 EV-233
Battery
(standard)BXT-59 BXT-59 BXT-59
–
Maintenance and Specifications
255

Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............63
Power adjustable foot pedals .....63
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................180
Power door locks ........................78
Power point .................................59
Power steering ..........................141
fluid, checking and adding ....243
fluid, refill capacity ................256
fluid, specifications .........259, 262
Power Windows ...........................60
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................142
R
Radio ..........................19, 25, 28, 31
Relays ........................................176
Remote entry system .................81
illuminated entry ......................83
locking/unlocking doors ...........78
Roadside assistance ..................174
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......98–99, 101–102, 104
Safety defects, reporting ..........207
Safety restraints .... 98–99, 101–104
belt minder .............................106
cleaning the safety belts ........110
extension assembly ................110
for adults ...................99, 101–102
for children .....................119–120
lap belt ....................................105
warning light and chime ........106
Safety seats for children ..........123Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ........................98
Seats ............................................90
child safety seats ....................123
cleaning ...................................213
Servicing your vehicle ..............216
Snowplowing .................7, 170–172
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................185
Spark plugs, specifications ......255,
262
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
four-wheel drive
vehicles ............................172–173
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................259, 262
Speed control ..............................63
Starting your vehicle .......135–136,
139
jump starting ..........................191
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................55
T
Tailgate ..................................72–73
Tires ...........................184, 251–252
changing ..................184–185, 187
checking the pressure ............252
replacing ..................................254
rotating ....................................253
snow tires and chains ............255
tire grades ...............................252
treadwear ................................251
Tonneau cover .......................74, 77
Towing .......................................163
Index
277