spare tire Mercury Monterey 2004 s User Guide

5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires.
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, bulges or
other irregularities.
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 damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side, vibrate or shake when you’re driving, the
wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility 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 a qualified technician
at a reputable repair facility. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, and
those with independent front suspension 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.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Service Maintenance Guide that comes with your vehicle) will help your
tires wear more evenly providing better tire performance and longer tire
life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately every
8,000 km (5,000 miles).
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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
“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 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
“wear bars”, 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:
•Fabric showing through the tire rubber
•Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
•Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
•Cracks in the tread groove
•Impact damage resulting from use
•Separation in the tread
•Separation in the sidewall
•Severe 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.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
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•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
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
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
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.
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R
Radio ......................................17, 20
Relays ........................................179
Remote entry system .................84
illuminated entry ..........39, 87–88
locking/unlocking doors .....82, 84
Roadside assistance ..................177
Roof rack .....................................80
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........128
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................116, 119–121
Safety Canopy ...........................137
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ........116, 119–121
belt minder .............................123
extension assembly ................127
for adults .........................120–121
for children .....................140–141
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................117
safety belt maintenance .........128
warning light and chime 122–123
Safety seats for children ..........144
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............116
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................144
front seats ...................97, 99–100
memory seat .....................90, 100
second row seats ....................103
third row
seats .................103, 109, 113–114
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................94Servicing your vehicle ..............216
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................187–188
Spark plugs, specifications ......254,
258
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................256, 258
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle ........154–156
jump starting ..........................194
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................48
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................48
Tires ...................................241–242
changing ..................187–189, 194
snow tires and chains ............253
tire grades ...............................242
treadwear ................................242
Towing .......................................172
recreational towing .................176
trailer towing ..........................172
wrecker ....................................200
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............162
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
lubricant specifications ..........258
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....162
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................239
lubricant specifications ..........256
Turn signal ..................................41
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................258
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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