tire pressure LINCOLN MKS 2015 User Guide

Traction AA A B C
WARNING
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. 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. Temperature A B C WARNING
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. 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. 139. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
•
Tire label: A label showing the
original equipment tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure
and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.
• Tire Identification Number:
A
number on the sidewall of each
tire providing information about
the tire brand and manufacturing
plant, tire size and date of
manufacture. Also referred to as
DOT code.
• Inflation pressure:
A measure
of the amount of air in a tire.
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•
Standard load: A class of
P-metric or Metric tires designed
to carry a maximum load at set
pressure. For example: For
P-metric tires 35 psi (2.4 bar) or
36 (2.5 bar) depending on tire
size and for Metric tires 36 psi
(2.5 bar). Increasing the inflation
pressure beyond this pressure
will not increase the tire ’s load
carrying capability.
• Extra load:
A class of P-metric
or Metric tires designed to carry
a heavier maximum load at 42
psi (2.9 bar). Increasing the
inflation pressure beyond this
pressure will not increase the
tire ’s load carrying capability.
• kPa:
Kilopascal, a metric unit of
air pressure.
• PSI:
Pounds per square inch, a
standard unit of air pressure. •
Cold tire pressure:
The tire
pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct
sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven
for 1 mile (1.6 km).
• Recommended inflation
pressure:
The cold inflation
pressure found on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label
(affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver ’s door.
• B-pillar:
The structural member
at the side of the vehicle behind
the front door
• Bead area of the tire:
Area of
the tire next to the rim.
• Sidewall of the tire:
Area
between the bead area and the
tread. •
Tread area of the tire:
Area of
the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted
on the vehicle.
• Rim:
The metal support (wheel)
for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Information Contained on the
Tire Sidewall
Both United States 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.
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Information on P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a
tire size, load index and speed rating.
The definitions of these items are
listed below. (Note that the tire size,
load index and speed rating for your
vehicle may be different from this
example.) A.
P: Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association, that
may be used for service on cars,
sport utility vehicles, minivans and
light trucks. Note:
If your tire size
does not begin with a letter this may
mean it is designated by either the
European Tire and Rim Technical
Organization or the Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association.
B. 215:
Indicates the nominal width
of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
C. 65:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of height
to width.
D. R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 15:
Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter. F.
95:
Indicates the tire's load index.
It is an index that relates to how
much weight a tire can carry. You
may find this information in your
owner ’s manual. If not, contact a
local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this
information on all tires because it is
not required by federal law.
G. H:
Indicates the tire's speed
rating. The speed rating denotes the
speed at which a tire is designed to
be driven for extended periods of
time under a standard condition of
load and inflation pressure. The tires
on your vehicle may operate at
different conditions for load and
inflation pressure. These speed
ratings may need to be adjusted for
the difference in conditions. The
ratings range from 81 mph (130
km/h) to 186 mph (299 km/h).
These ratings are listed in the
following chart.
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K.
Maximum Load: Indicates the
maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the
tire. See the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to either
the door hinge pillar, door-latch
post, or the door edge that meets
the door-latch post, next to the
driver's seating position), for the
correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
L. Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades:
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•
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 times as
well on the government course
as a tire graded 100.
• Traction: 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.
• Temperature:
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.
M. Maximum Inflation Pressure:
Indicates the tire manufacturers'
maximum permissible pressure or
the pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This
pressure is normally higher than the
vehicle manufacturer's
recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver ’s door. The cold
inflation pressure should never be
set lower than the recommended
pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have
additional markings, notes or
warnings such as standard load or
radial tubeless. Additional Information
Contained on the Tire Sidewall
for LT Type Tires
Note:
Tire Quality Grades do not
apply to this type of tire. LT type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P type
tires; these differences are
described below.
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A.
LT: Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association,
that is intended for service on light
trucks.
B. Load Range and Load Inflation
Limits:
Indicates the tire's
load-carrying capabilities and its
inflation limits.
C. Maximum Load Dual lb (kg) at
psi (kPa) cold:
Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a dual;
defined as four tires on the rear axle
(a total of six or more tires on the
vehicle).
D. Maximum Load Single lb (kg)
at psi (kPa) cold:
Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a single;
defined as two tires (total) on the
rear axle.
Information on T Type Tires
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire
size. Note:
The temporary tire size for your
vehicle may be different from this
example. Tire Quality Grades do not
apply to this type of tire. T type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P type
tires; these differences are
described below:
A.
T:
Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association, that is intended for
temporary service on cars, sport
utility vehicles, minivans and light
trucks.
B. 145:
Indicates the nominal width
of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
C. 80:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of height
to width. Numbers of 70 or lower
indicate a short sidewall.
D. D:
Indicates a diagonal type tire.
R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
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E.
16: Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
Location of the Tire Label
You will find a Tire Label containing
tire inflation pressure by tire size and
other important information located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver ’s door.
Inflating Your Tires
Safe operation of your vehicle
requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can
lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires and adjust if
required. At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge (including spare, if equipped).
Inflate all tires to the inflation
pressure recommended by Ford
Motor Company.
You are strongly urged to buy a
reliable tire pressure gauge, as
automatic service station gauges
may be inaccurate. Ford
recommends the use of a digital or
dial-type tire pressure gauge rather
than a stick-type tire pressure
gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation
pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear.
Under-inflation or over-inflation
may cause uneven treadwear
patterns WARNING
Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures
and may result in severe tire
cracking, tread separation or
blowout, with unexpected loss of
vehicle control and increased risk of
injury. Under-inflation increases
sidewall flexing and rolling
resistance, resulting in heat buildup
and internal damage to the tire. It
also may result in unnecessary tire
stress, irregular wear, loss of vehicle
control and accidents. A tire can
lose up to half of its air pressure and
not appear to be flat! Always inflate your tires to the Ford
recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum
inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Ford recommended
tire inflation pressure is found on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the door-latch
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post, next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver
’s door. Failure to follow
the tire pressure recommendations
can cause uneven treadwear
patterns and adversely affect the
way your vehicle handles
Maximum Inflation Pressure is
the tire manufacturer's maximum
permissible pressure and the
pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This
pressure is normally higher than the
manufacturer ’s recommended cold
inflation pressure which can be
found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to either
the door hinge pillar, door-latch
post, or the door edge that meets
the door-latch post, next to the
driver's seating position), or Tire
Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver
’s
door. The cold inflation pressure
should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label.
When weather temperature
changes occur, tire inflation
pressures also change. A 10°F (6°C)
temperature drop can cause a
corresponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa)
in inflation pressure. Check your tire
pressures frequently and adjust
them to the proper pressure which
can be found on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label or
Tire Label.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from
driving even a mile. Note:
If you are checking tire
pressure when the tire is hot, (for
example driven more than 1 mile [1.6
kilometers]), never bleed or reduce
air pressure. The tires are hot from
driving and it is normal for pressures
to increase above recommended
cold pressures. A hot tire at or below
recommended cold inflation pressure
could be significantly under-inflated.
Note: If you have to drive a distance
to get air for your tire(s), check and
record the tire pressure first and add
the appropriate air pressure when you
get to the pump. It is normal for tires
to heat up and the air pressure inside
to go up as you drive.
2. Remove the cap from the valve
on one tire, then firmly press the
tire gauge onto the valve and
measure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach the
recommended air pressure.
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Note:
If you overfill the tire, release
air by pressing on the metal stem in
the center of the valve. Then recheck
the pressure with your tire gauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each
tire, including the spare.
Note: Some spare tires operate at a
higher inflation pressure than the
other tires. For T type mini-spare
tires, see the Dissimilar spare wheel
and tire assembly information for a
description. Store and maintain at 60
psi (4.15 bar). For full-size and
dissimilar spare tires, see the
Dissimilar spare wheel and tire
assembly information for a
description. 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
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When the tread is worn down to one
sixteenth 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
one sixteenth 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.
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.
Age WARNING
Tires degrade over time
depending on many factors
such as weather, storage conditions,
and conditions of use (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
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