Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 48

Maintenance and care

190

Temperature A B C

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. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.

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.

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Maintenance and care

191

Checking tire pressure

Check the tire pressure
periodically after the vehicle has
been parked for at least one hour
or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles). Inflate the tires as
necessary. To check the tire
pressure, insert the tire pressure
gauge into the valve.

The cold pressure amount is listed
on the Safety Compliance
Certification label.

Improperly inflated tires can
affect vehicle handling and

can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.

Rotating tires

Rotate your tires at regular
intervals for even wear. Rotation
intervals are listed in the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide”.

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192

Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely

affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.

Replacing tires

Replace tires when the wear band
is visible through the tire treads.

When replacing full size
tires, never mix radial, bias-

belted, or bias-type tires. Use only
the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that
all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity.
Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the decal. If you
do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive
properly and safely.

Do not replace your tires
with “high performance”

tires or larger size tires.

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Maintenance and care

193

Dispose of worn tires in

accordance with local

environmental regulations.

Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification label to determine the
specific size tire and wheel Ford
Motor Company recommends for
use on this vehicle.

When purchasing replacement tires
for your vehicle, consult your
dealer or a qualified service
technician to ensure that the
correct tire type is used.

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