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303
Wiper blade replacement
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
Tires
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
❑
Keep your tires inflated to the pressures that
are recommended.
(See
Checking the pressure
of the tires
later in this chapter.)
❑
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limits
in the Index).
❑
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
❑
Drive at safe speeds.
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
R
WARNING
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.
304
Checking the pressure of the tires
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle’s tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, that is, after the
vehicle has been parked for at least one hour or
has been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You
can find the proper cold pressure on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
R
WARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire inspection and maintenance
Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails,
glass or other objects that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may
permit air to leak from the tire, and make the
necessary repairs.
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and
other damage. If you suspect internal damage to
the tire, have it demounted and checked. You
may need to repair or replace it.
Wheel inspection and maintenance
Check for damage that would affect the runout
of the wheels. Wobble or shimmy will eventually
damage the wheel bearings.
Front wheel bearings require periodic repacking
and adjustment as specified in the
Maintenance
Schedule and Record
booklet. Loose or worn front
wheel bearings tend to let the vehicle wander or
shimmy, and can eventually cause excessive tire
wear.
305
Whenever a wheel is removed and then
re-installed, always remove any corrosion that
may be present on the mounting surface of the
wheel and/or the surface of the hub, drum or
rotor that contacts the wheel.
R
WARNING
Installing wheels without good
metal-to-metal contact at the wheel
mounting surface can cause the wheel lug
nuts to loosen and could allow the wheel
to come off while the vehicle is in motion.
Traction-Lok Rear Axle (If equipped)
This axle provides added drive away traction on
slippery surfaces, particularly when one or more
wheels are on a surface with poor traction.
R
WARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
Tire Rotation
Because your vehicle’s front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them at the mileage
shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Record
booklet which came with your vehicle.
Rotate the tires according to the following
diagram. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked. If your light truck
has a temporary spare tire, do not include it in
the tire rotation pattern.
306
In situations where the tires differ from front to
rear (snow/traction), simply rotate using a side
to side pattern.
Tire rotation pattern
After each rotation, adjust individual tire
pressure as specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. Tighten wheel lug nuts to the
required torque specification and retighten again
after 500 miles (800 km).
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may
demount the full size, non-temporary spare
tire (if so equipped) and remount on an
aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into
your vehicle’s rotation pattern.
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