warning LINCOLN MKZ 2013 Owners Manual

Changing Tires with a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
Note:
Each road tire is equipped with
a tire pressure sensor located inside the
wheel and tire assembly cavity. The
pressure sensor is attached to the valve
stem. The pressure sensor is covered
by the tire and is not visible unless the
tire is removed. Care must be taken
when changing the tire to avoid
damaging the sensor
It is recommended that you always
have your tires serviced by an
authorized dealer.
The tire pressure should be checked
periodically (at least monthly) using
an accurate tire gauge, refer to
Inflating your tires in this chapter. Understanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system
measures pressure in your four road
tires and sends the tire pressure
readings to your vehicle. The low tire
pressure warning light will turn on if
the tire pressure is significantly low.
Once the light is illuminated, your tires
are under-inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer
’s
recommended tire pressure. Even if
the light turns on and a short time
later turns off, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked. Visit
www.checkmytires.org for additional
information.
When your Temporary Spare Tire
is Installed
When one of your road tires needs to
be replaced with the temporary spare,
the tire pressure monitoring system
will continue to identify an issue to
remind you that the damaged road
wheel and tire assembly needs to be
repaired and put back on your vehicle.
To restore the full functionality of the
tire pressure monitoring system, have
the damaged road wheel and tire
assembly repaired and remounted on
your vehicle.
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Wheels and TiresE142549

Customer action required
Possible cause
Low tire pressure
warning light
1. Make sure tires are at the proper
pressure. See Inflating your tires in
this chapter. 2. After inflating your
tires to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended pressure as shown on the
Tire Label (located on the edge of
driver ’s door or the B-Pillar), the
vehicle must be driven for at least
two minutes over 20 mph (32 km/
h) before the light turns off.
Tire(s) under-inflated
Solid warning
light
Repair the damaged road wheel and
tire assembly and reinstall it on the
vehicle to restore system function-
ality. For a description on how the
system functions, refer to When your
temporary spare tire is installed in
this section.
Spare tire in use
If the tires are properly inflated and
the spare tire is not in use but the
light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TPMS malfunction
Repair the damaged road wheel and
tire assembly and reinstall it on the
vehicle to restore system function-
ality. For a description on how the
system functions, refer to When your
temporary spare tire is installed in
this section.
Spare tire in use
Flashing warning
light
If the tires are properly inflated and
the spare tire is not in use but the
light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TPMS malfunction
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Wheels and Tires

When Inflating your Tires
When putting air into your tires (such
as at a gas station or in your garage),
the tire pressure monitoring system
may not respond immediately to the
air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of
driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn off after you have filled
your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure
How Temperature Affects your
Tire Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system
monitors tire pressure in each
pneumatic tire. While driving in a
normal manner, a typical passenger
tire inflation pressure may increase
approximately 2 to 4 psi (14 to 28
kPa) from a cold start situation. If the
vehicle is stationary overnight with the
outside temperature significantly
lower than the daytime temperature,
the tire pressure may decrease
approximately 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop
of 30°F (17°C) in ambient
temperature. This lower pressure
value may be detected by the TPMS
as being significantly lower than the
recommended inflation pressure and
activate the TPMS warning light for
low tire pressure. If the low tire
pressure warning light is on, visually
check each tire to verify that no tire is
flat. (If one or more tires are flat, repair
as necessary.) Check air pressure in
the road tires. If any tire is
under-inflated, carefully drive the
vehicle to the nearest location where
air can be added to the tires. Inflate
all the tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
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Wheels and Tires

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
½) 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
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.
305
Wheels and Tires

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, radial tubeless, etc.
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.
A.
LT: Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA),
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.
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Wheels and TiresA
BC
BDE142544

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 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.
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Wheels and Tires

Age
WARNING
Tires degrade over time
depending on many factors such
as weather, storage conditions, and
conditions of use (load, speed,
inflation pressure, etc.) 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
has not been used. U.S. DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN)
Both U.S. 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. This begins with the letters DOT and
indicates that the tire meets all
federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters are the plant code
designating where it was
manufactured, the next two are the
tire size code and the last four
numbers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 317 mean the 31st week of
1997. After 2000 the numbers go to
four digits. For example, 2501 means
the 25th week of 2001. The numbers
in between are identification codes
used for traceability. This information
is used to contact customers if a tire
defect requires a recall.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
designed to provide a safe ride and
handling capability.
WARNINGS
Only use replacement tires and
wheels that are the same size,
load index, speed rating and type
(such as P-metric versus LT-metric or
all-season versus all-terrain) as those
originally provided by Ford. The
recommended tire and wheel size
may be found on either 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 the Tire
Label which is located on the B-Pillar
or edge of the driver ’s door. If this
information is not found on these
labels then you should contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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Wheels and Tires

WARNINGS
Use of any tire or wheel not
recommended by Ford can affect the
safety and performance of your
vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. Additionally the use
of non-recommended tires and
wheels could cause steering,
suspension, axle, transfer case or
power transfer unit failure. If you have
questions regarding tire replacement,
contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible. When mounting replacement
tires and wheels, you should not
exceed the maximum pressure
indicated on the sidewall of the tire to
set the beads without additional
precautions listed below. If the beads
do not seat at the maximum pressure
indicated, re-lubricate and try again
When inflating the tire for mounting
pressures up to 20 psi (1.38 bar)
greater than the maximum pressure
on the tire sidewall, the following
precautions must be taken to protect
the person mounting the tire:
1. Make sure that you have the correct
tire and wheel size.
2. Lubricate the tire bead and wheel
bead seat area again.
3. Stand at a minimum of 12 feet (3.66
meters) away from the wheel and tire
assembly.
4. Use both eye and ear protection. WARNINGS
For a mounting pressure more than
20 psi (1.38 bar) greater than the
maximum pressure, a Ford dealer or
other tire service professional should
do the mounting.
Always inflate steel carcass tires with
a remote air fill with the person
inflating standing at a minimum of 12
ft (3.66 m) away from the wheel and
tire assembly Important: Remember to replace the
wheel valve stems when the road tires
are replaced on your vehicle
It is recommended that the two front
tires or two rear tires generally be
replaced as a pair.
The tire pressure sensors mounted in
the wheels (originally installed on your
vehicle) are not designed to be used
in aftermarket wheels.
The use of wheels or tires not
recommended by Ford Motor
Company may affect the operation of
your tire pressure monitoring system.
If the TPMS indicator is flashing, your
TPMS is malfunctioning. Your
replacement tire might be
incompatible with your TPMS, or
some component of the TPMS may
be damaged.
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Wheels and Tires

Safety Practices
WARNINGS
If your vehicle is stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., 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. 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 ’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 tires for damage. If a 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.
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’re 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
(if equipped) 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.
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Wheels and Tires

USING SNOW CHAINS
Snow chains have not been approved
for use on your vehicle.
WARNINGS
If you choose to install snow tires
on your vehicle, they must be the
same size, construction, and load
range as the original tires listed on the
tire placard, and they must be
installed on all four wheels. Mixing
tires of different size or construction
on your vehicle can adversely affect
your vehicle's handling and braking,
and may lead to loss of vehicle
control. Do not use snow chains or cables
on this vehicle as they may cause
damage to your vehicle which may
lead to loss of vehicle control. The original equipment tires on your
vehicle may have an all-weather tread
design to provide traction, handling,
and braking performance in
year-round driving. You may install
snow tires for improved traction when
driving in areas with sustained periods
of snow or icy driving conditions. CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL WARNINGS
The use of tire sealants may
damage your tire pressure
monitoring system and should not be
used. However, if you must use a
sealant, the tire pressure monitoring
system sensor and valve stem on the
wheel must be replaced by an
authorized Ford dealer. See Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (page 298). for
important information. If the tire
pressure monitor sensor becomes
damaged, it will no longer function. Note:
The tire pressure monitoring
system indicator light will illuminate
when the spare tire is in use. To restore
the full function of the monitoring
system, all road wheels equipped with
tire pressure monitoring sensors must
be mounted on the vehicle.
If you get a flat tire while driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead,
gradually decrease your speed. Hold
the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of
the road.
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Wheels and Tires