Lincoln MKC (2019 year). Manual - part 20

VEHICLE STORAGE

If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30
days or more, read the following
maintenance recommendations to make sure
your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.

We engineer and test all motor vehicles and
their components for reliable, regular driving.
Under various conditions, long-term storage
may lead to degraded engine performance
or failure unless you use specific precautions
to preserve engine components.

General

•

Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.

•

Protect from sunlight, if possible.

•

If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.

Body

•

Wash your vehicle thoroughly to remove
dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior
surfaces, rear-wheel housing and the
underside of front fenders.

•

Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.

•

Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.

•

Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when
you wash your vehicle.

•

Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with a
light grade oil.

•

Cover interior trim to prevent fading.

•

Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.

Engine

•

Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil contains
contaminates which may cause engine
damage.

•

Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.

•

With your foot on the brake, shift through
all the gears while the engine is running.

•

We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.

Fuel system

•

Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.

311

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Vehicle Care

Cooling system

•

Protect against freezing temperatures.

•

When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling system
leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.

Battery

•

Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.

•

If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery, we
recommend that you disconnect the
battery cables to maintain battery charge
for quick starting.

Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.

Brakes

•

Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.

Tires

•

Maintain recommended air pressure.

Miscellaneous

•

Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
pins under your vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust.

•

Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m) every
15 days to lubricate working parts and
prevent corrosion.

Removing Vehicle From Storage

When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
•

Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt or
grease film build-up on window surfaces.

•

Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.

•

Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected during
storage such as mice or squirrel nests.

•

Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected during
storage.

•

Check tire pressures and set tire inflation
per the Tire Label.

•

Check brake pedal operation. Drive your
vehicle 15 ft (4.5 m) back and forth to
remove rust build-up.

•

Check fluid levels (including coolant, oil
and gas) to make sure there are no leaks,
and fluids are at recommended levels.

•

If you remove the battery, clean the
battery cable ends and check for
damage.

Contact an authorized dealer if you have any
concerns or issues.

BODY STYLING KITS

The distance between the underside of your
vehicle and the ground is less than that of
other models.  Drive with extreme care to
avoid damage to your vehicle.

312

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Vehicle Care

GENERAL INFORMATION

The recommended tire inflation pressures
are found on the Tire Label which is located
on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver door.
This information can also 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.

We strongly recommend maintaining these
tire pressures at all times. Failure to follow
the tire pressure recommendations can
cause uneven treadwear patterns, reduced
fuel economy, and adversely affect the way
your vehicle handles.

Note: Check and set the tire pressure at the
ambient temperature in which you are
intending to drive your vehicle and when the
tires are cold.

Note: Check your tire pressures at least once
per month.

If your vehicle has a spare tire, set the
pressure to the highest value given for your
vehicle and tire size combination.

Use only approved wheels and tire sizes,
using other sizes could damage your vehicle.

If you change the diameter of the factory
installed tires, the speedometer may not
display the correct speed. Take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer and have the engine
management system reprogrammed.

If you intend to change the size of the factory
installed tires, check the suitability with an
authorized dealer.

Additional information related to the
functionality and maintenance of your tires
can be found in the Wheels and Tire section.
See Tire Care (page 316).

Notice to utility vehicle and truck
owners

WARNINGS

Vehicles with a higher center of gravity
(utility and four-wheel drive vehicles)

handle differently than vehicles with a lower
center of gravity (passenger cars). Avoid
sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
steering in these vehicles. Failure to drive
cautiously increases the risk of losing control
of your vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than

a person wearing a seatbelt.

313

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

E145298

Utility vehicles and trucks handle differently
than passenger cars in the various driving
conditions that are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility vehicles and
trucks are not designed for cornering at
speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.

Study your owner's manual and any
supplements for specific information about
equipment features, instructions for safe
driving and additional precautions to reduce
the risk of an accident or serious injury.

All-wheel drive system (if equipped)

WARNING

Do not become overconfident in the
ability of four-wheel drive vehicles.

Although a four-wheel drive vehicle may
accelerate better than a two-wheel drive
vehicle in low traction situations, it won't stop
any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.
Always drive at a safe speed.

A vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive has
the ability to use all four wheels to power
itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.

For all-wheel-drive vehicles, a spare tire of
a different size other than the tire provided
should never be used. A dissimilar spare tire
size; other than the spare tire provided or
major dissimilar tire sized between the front
and rear axles could cause the
all-wheel-drive system to stop functioning
and default to front-wheel drive.

How your vehicle differs from other
vehicles

Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differ
from some other vehicles in a few noticeable
ways. Your vehicle may be:

314

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

E145299

•

Higher - to allow higher load carrying
capacity and to allow it to travel over
rough terrain without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.

•

Shorter - to give it the capability to
approach inclines and drive over the
crest of a hill without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components. All
other things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs
than a vehicle with a longer wheelbase.

•

Narrower - to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.

E168583

315

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

As a result of the above dimensional
differences, Sport utility vehicles and trucks
often have a higher center of gravity and a
greater difference in center of gravity
between the loaded and unloaded condition.
These differences that make your vehicle so
versatile also make it handle differently than
an ordinary passenger car.

TIRE CARE

Information About Uniform Tire Quality
Grading

E142542

Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. 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 passenger car tires. They do
not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary
use spare tires, light truck or LT type
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 Motor
Company 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 1½ 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.

316

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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 (TIN): 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.

*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) 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 mi (1.6 km).

317

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

*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 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.

Information on P Type Tires

H

I

J

K

L

M

A

B

C D

E

F

G

E142543

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.)

318

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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.

Note: You may not find this information
on all tires because it is not required by
federal law.

Speed rating

Letter rating

81 mph (130 km/h)

M

87 mph (140 km/h)

N

99 mph (159 km/h)

Q

106 mph (171 km/h)

R

112 mph (180 km/h)

S

118 mph (190 km/h)

T

124 mph (200 km/h)

U

130 mph (210 km/h)

H

149 mph (240 km/h)

V

319

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

Speed rating

Letter rating

168 mph (270 km/h)

W

186 mph (299 km/h)

Y

Note: For tires with a maximum speed
capability over 149 mph (240 km/h), tire
manufacturers sometimes use the letters
ZR. For those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299 km/h), tire
manufacturers always use the letters
ZR.

H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN): 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.

I. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or

AT: All Terrain, or

AS: All Season.
J. Tire Ply Composition and Material
Used: Indicates the number of plies or
the number of layers of rubber-coated
fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and the sidewall,
which include steel, nylon, polyester,
and others.

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:

*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.

320

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

*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.

A

B

C

B

D

E142544

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, that is
intended for service on light trucks.

321

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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.

A

B

C

D

E

E142545

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.

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.

322

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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 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
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

323

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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 11°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 mi (1.6 km), 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.

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.

324

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires

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

E142546

When the tread is worn down to one
sixteenth of an inch (2 mm), 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 mm).

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.

325

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

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) 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

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.
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

Do not use replacement tires with
lower load carrying capacities than

the original tires because they may
lower your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a
higher limit than the original tires do not
increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.

Replace the wheels and tires with
the exact original brand, size and

construction that came originally on your
vehicle. Use of any other wheel or tire
combinations, even with identical size
ratings, may result in insufficient running
clearances, tire rubbing and eventual
puncture. Failure to follow tire
replacement recommendations can lead
to tire failure, loss of vehicle control,
serious injury or death.

326

MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201802, First Printing

Wheels and Tires