tires LINCOLN LS 2003 User Guide

•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 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
Maintenance and Specifications
267

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
Safety Certification Label located on the driver’s door pillar..
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
268

•Unidirectional tire rotation
For vehicles equipped with original
equipment unidirectional tires and
full-size spare, your vehicle can be
driven with the unidirectional
full-size spare, rotating counter to
the directional arrow on the tire
sidewall.
Your unidirectional full-size spare
tire is rotated for wear balance. Best
performance may be achieved by
remounting the tire to the wheel, if
necessary, to permit tire rotation
with the directional arrow on the
tire sidewall.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
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 or Tire 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 may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
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270

Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
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 or chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains with P225/55R16 tires.
•Do not use tire chains with size P235/50R17 tires. Use of SAE Class S
chains or other chain types may damage your vehicle.
•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 or chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L-4V V6 engine 3.9L-4V V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1679 FA-1679
Fuel filter FG-1011 FG-1011
Battery (standard) BXT-66-650 BXT-66-650
Battery (optional) BXT-66-750 BXT-66-750
Oil filter FL-400S FL-218
PCV valve EV-257 N/A
Spark plugs* AGSF-22FSM AGSP-32F
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug information.
Maintenance and Specifications
271

Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................143
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............95
Power adjustable foot pedals .....95
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................206, 209
Power door locks ......................120
Power steering ..........................186
fluid, checking and adding ....263
fluid, refill capacity ................272
fluid, specifications .........274–275
Power Windows ...........................90
R
Radio ......................................16, 20
Rear Park Assist .......................195
Rear window defroster ...............76
Relays ........................................202
Remote entry system ...............124
opening the trunk ...................125
Roadside assistance ..................200
Roof rack ...................................119
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........156
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........142, 145, 147–151
Safety defects, reporting ..........232
Safety restraints ...............142, 145,
147–151
belt minder .............................152
extension assembly ................156
for adults .........................147–150
for children .............................169Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................143
safety belt maintenance .........156
warning light and
chime ...............................151–152
Safety seats for children ..........172
Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ......................142
Seats ..........................................135
child safety seats ....................172
cleaning ...................................236
climate control ........................138
easy access/easyout
feature .....................................137
memory seat ...................128, 138
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................193
Servicing your vehicle ..............239
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................212
Spark plugs,
specifications .............271, 275–276
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................274–275
Speed control ..............................95
Starting your vehicle ........181–183
jump starting ..........................216
Steering
speed sensitive .......................186
Steering column lock ..................89
Steering wheel
controls ......................................98
tilting .........................................88
T
Tires ...........................211, 266–268
changing ..........................211–213
Index
285

checking the pressure ............268
replacing ..................................270
rotating ....................................268
snow tires and chains ............271
tire grades ...............................267
treadwear ................................267
Towing .......................................198
recreational towing .................199
trailer towing ..........................198
wrecker ....................................222
Traction control ........................186
Transmission .............................190
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................264
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
lubricant specifications ..274–275
Trunk .........................................122
remote release ................117, 125
Turn signal ..................................81
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................276Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
..........................................278
Vehicle loading
..........................198
Ventilating your vehicle
...........184
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................243
Water, Driving through
.............197
Windows
power
.........................................90
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................86
checking and adding fluid
.....243
replacing wiper blades
.............87
Wrecker towing
.........................222
Index
286