Ford Police Interceptor Utility (2022 year). Manual in english

Apply the parking brake and switch the
ignition off.

2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for

example lights and radio.

3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before

disconnecting the battery.

Note:

The engine management system has

a power hold function and remains powered
for a period of time after you switch the
ignition off. This is to allow the system to
store diagnostic and adaptive tables.
Disconnecting the battery without waiting
can cause damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.

4. Disconnect the negative battery cable

terminal.

5. Disconnect the positive battery cable

terminal.

6. Remove the battery securing clamp.

Remove the battery.

8. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note:

Before reconnecting the battery,

make sure the ignition remains switched off.

Note:

Make sure to fully tighten the battery

cables.

If you disconnect or replace the vehicle
battery, you must reset the following
features:
•

Window bounce-back. See

Power

Windows

(page 74).

•

Clock Settings.

•

Pre-set radio stations.

Battery Disposal

E107998

Make sure that you dispose of
old batteries in an
environmentally friendly way.

Seek advice from your local authority
about recycling old batteries.

ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS

Vertical Aim Adjustment

If your vehicle has been involved in a crash,
have the aim of the headlamp beam
checked by an authorized dealer.

E142592

8 ft (2.4 m)

Ground to the center of the
headlamp high beam bulb

25 ft (7.6 m)

Horizontal reference line

Vertical Aim Adjustment Procedure

Park your vehicle on level ground
approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall
or screen.

2. Measure the distance from the ground

to the center of the headlamp beam
bulb and mark an 8 ft (2.4 m) long
horizontal reference line on the wall or
screen at this height.

Note:

There may be an identifying mark on

the lens to help you locate the center line
of the headlamp beam bulb.

Note:

To see a clearer light pattern for

adjusting, you may want to block the light
from one headlamp while adjusting the
other.

231

Maintenance

3. Switch on the low beam headlamps

and open the hood.

E142465

4. On the wall or screen you will observe

a flat zone of high intensity light
located at the top of the beam pattern.
If the top edge of the flat zone of high
intensity light is not on the horizontal
reference line, adjust the aim of the
headlamp beam.

E292172

5. Use a suitable tool, for example a

screwdriver or socket wrench, to turn
the adjuster clockwise or
counterclockwise to adjust the vertical
aim of the headlamp. The horizontal
edge of the brighter light should touch
the horizontal reference line.

6. Close the hood and switch off the

lamps.

WASHER FLUID CHECK

WARNING:

If you operate your

vehicle in temperatures below 41.0°F
(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold
weather could result in impaired
windshield vision and increase the risk
of injury or accident.

Note:

The front and rear washer systems

are supplied from the same reservoir.

Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is
low. Only use a washer fluid that meets
our specifications. See

Capacities and

Specifications

(page 272).

State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use
of methanol, a common windshield washer
antifreeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or
washer system.

FUEL FILTER

Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime
fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel
tank. Regular maintenance or replacement
is not needed.

232

Maintenance

CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES

E142463

Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade to check for roughness.

Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid
or water applied with a soft sponge or
cloth.

CHANGING THE FRONT WIPER
BLADES

You can improve poor wiper quality by
cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield.

Replace the wiper blades at least annually
for optimum performance.

E129990

Lift the wiper arm and then press the
wiper blade locking buttons together.

Note:

Do not hold the wiper blade to lift the

wiper arm.

Note:

Make sure that the wiper arm does

not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.

2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.

3. Remove the wiper blade.

4. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note:

Make sure that the wiper blade locks

into place.

CHANGING THE REAR WIPER
BLADES

You can improve poor wiper quality by
cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield.

Replace the wiper blades at least annually
for optimum performance.

E183236

Lift the wiper arm.

Note:

Do not hold the wiper blade to lift the

wiper arm.

2. Remove the wiper blade.

233

Maintenance

Note:

Make sure that the wiper arm does

not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.

3. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note:

Make sure that the wiper blade locks

into place.

CHANGING A BULB

WARNING:

Switch the lamps and

the ignition off. Failure to do so could
result in serious personal injury.

WARNING:

Bulbs can become hot.

Let the bulb cool down before removing
it. Failure to do so could result in
personal injury.

Use the correct specification bulb. See

Bulb Specification Chart

(page 298).

Install in the reverse order unless otherwise
stated.

Rear Direction Indicator and
Reversing Lamp

E292168

Switch all of the lamps and the ignition
off.

2. Use a suitable tool, for example a

screwdriver, to carefully remove the
access cover.

3. Remove the side cover.

4. Remove the screw that secures the

lamp assembly.

5. Gently pull the lamp assembly away

from the vehicle.

6. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise

and remove it.

Remove the bulb by pulling it straight
out.

E292171

Rear direction indicator.

Reverse lamp.

LED Lamps

LED lamps are not serviceable items. See
an authorized dealer if they fail.

The following lamps are LED:
•

Headlamp low beam.

•

Headlamp high beam.

•

Front direction indicator.

•

Side direction indicator.

•

Daytime running lamps.

•

Front fog lamps (if equipped).

•

Brake and rear lamp.

•

Rear side marker lamp.

234

Maintenance

•

Rear fog lamps (if equipped).

•

Front side marker lamps.

•

Front signature lamps.

•

Central high mounted brake lamp.

License Plate Lamp

E292276

Use a suitable tool, for example a
screwdriver, to carefully remove the
lamp.

2. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise

and remove it.

3. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight

out.

235

Maintenance

GENERAL INFORMATION

Your dealer has many quality products
available to clean your vehicle and protect
its finishes.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Materials

For best results, use the following products
or products of equivalent quality:

For additional information and assistance,
we recommend that you contact an
authorized dealer.

Specification

Name

Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover, ZC-42 (U.S. & Canada)

ESR-M5B194-B

Motorcraft® Custom Bright Metal Cleaner, ZC-15 (U.S. & Canada)

ESR-M14P4-A

Motorcraft® Detail Wash, ZC-3-A (U.S. & Canada)

ESR-M14P3-A

Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser, ZC-20 (U.S.)

Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo, CXC-66-A (Canada)

Motorcraft® Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner, ZC-56 (U.S. &
Canada)

Motorcraft® Multi-Purpose Cleaner, CXC-101 (Canada)

WSS-M14P19-A

Motorcraft® Premium Windshield Wash Concentrate with
Bitterant, ZC-32-B2 (U.S.)

WSS-M14P19-A

Motorcraft® Premium Quality Windshield Washer Fluid, CXC-37-
F/M (Canada)

Motorcraft® Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner,
ZC-54 (U.S. & Canada)

ESR-M14P5-A

Motorcraft® Premium Glass Cleaner, CXC-100 (Canada)

Motorcraft® Spot and Stain Remover, ZC-14 (U.S.)

ESR-M14P5-A

Motorcraft® Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, ZC-23 (U.S.)

Motorcraft® Wheel and Tire Cleaner, ZC-37-A (U.S. & Canada)

236

Vehicle Care

CLEANING THE EXTERIOR

Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or
lukewarm water and a neutral pH
shampoo, we recommend Motorcraft
Detail Wash.

•

Never use strong household detergents
or soap, for example dish washing or
laundry liquid. These products can
discolor and spot painted surfaces.

•

Never wash your vehicle when it is hot
to the touch, or during strong or direct
sunlight.

•

Dry your vehicle with a chamois or soft
terry cloth towel to eliminate water
spotting.

•

Immediately remove fuel spillages, bird
droppings, insect deposits and road tar.
These may cause damage to your
vehicle’s paintwork or trim over time.
We recommend Motorcraft Bug and
Tar Remover.

•

Remove any exterior accessories, for
example antennas, before entering a
car wash.

•

When filling with AdBlue®, remove any
residue on painted surfaces
immediately.

Note:

Suntan lotions and insect repellents

can damage painted surfaces. If these
substances come in contact with your
vehicle, wash the affected area as soon as
possible.

Cleaning the Exterior Precautions

Immediately remove fuel spillages, AdBlue
residuals, bird droppings, insect deposits
and road tar. These may cause damage to
your vehicle’s paintwork or trim over time.

Remove any exterior accessories, for
example antennas, before entering a car
wash.

Cleaning the Exterior Lamps

Note:

Do not scrape the exterior lamps

lenses or use abrasives, alcoholic solvents
or chemical solvents to clean them.

Note:

Do not wipe the exterior lamps when

they are dry.

Exterior Chrome Parts

•

Apply a high quality-cleaning product
to bumpers and other chrome parts.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
We recommend Motorcraft Custom
Bright Metal Cleaner.

•

Do not apply the cleaning product to
hot surfaces. Do not leave the cleaning
product on chrome surfaces longer
than the time recommended.

•

Using non-recommended cleaners can
result in severe and permanent
cosmetic damage.

Note:

Never use abrasive materials, for

example steel wool or plastic pads as they
can scratch the chrome surface.

Note:

Do not use chrome cleaner, metal

cleaner or polish on wheels or wheel covers.

Exterior Plastic Parts

For routine cleaning we recommend
Motorcraft Detail Wash. If tar or grease
spots are present, we recommend
Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.

Stripes or Graphics

(If Equipped)

Hand washing your vehicle is preferred
however, pressure washing may be used
under the following conditions:

•

Do not use water pressure higher than
2,000 psi (14,000 kPa).

•

Do not use water hotter than 179°F
(82°C).

237

Vehicle Care

•

Use a spray with a 40 degree wide
spray angle pattern.

•

Keep the nozzle at a 12 in (305 mm)
distance and 90 degree angle to your
vehicle's surface.

Note:

Holding the pressure washer nozzle

at an angle to the vehicle's surface may
damage graphics and cause the edges to
peel away from the vehicle's surface.

Underbody

Regularly clean the underside of your
vehicle using water. Keep body and door
drain holes free of debris or foreign
material.

Under Hood

For removing black rubber marks from
under the hood we recommend Motorcraft
Wheel and Tire Cleaner or Motorcraft Bug
and Tar Remover.

WAXING

Regular waxing is necessary to protect your
car's paint from the elements. We
recommend that you wash and wax the
painted surface once or twice a year.

When washing and waxing, park your
vehicle in a shaded area out of direct
sunlight. Always wash your vehicle before
applying wax.

•

Use a quality wax that does not contain
abrasives.

•

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
to apply and remove the wax.

•

Apply a small amount of wax in a
back-and-forth motion, not in circles.

•

Do not allow wax to come in contact
with any non-body (low-gloss black)
colored trim. The wax will discolor or
stain the parts over time.
•

Roof racks.

•

Bumpers.

•

Grained door handles.

•

Side moldings.

•

Mirror housings.

•

Windshield cowl area.

•

Do not apply wax to glass areas.

•

After waxing, your car's paint should
feel smooth, and be free of streaks and
smudges.

CLEANING THE ENGINE

Engines are more efficient when they are
clean because grease and dirt buildup keep
the engine warmer than normal.

When washing:
•

Take care when using a power washer
to clean the engine. The high-pressure
fluid could penetrate the sealed parts
and cause damage.

•

Do not spray a hot engine with cold
water to avoid cracking the engine
block or other engine components.

•

Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and
Degreaser on all parts that require
cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Engine
Shampoo.

Note:

If your vehicle has an engine cover

remove the cover before application of
Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser.
Immediately rinse away any over spray.

238

Vehicle Care

•

Never wash or rinse the engine while it
is hot or running; water in the running
engine may cause internal damage.

•

Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,
spark plug wire or spark plug well, or
the area in and around these locations.

•

Cover the battery, power distribution
box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.

CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES

Car wash chemicals and environmental
fallout can result in windshield and wiper
blade contamination. Dirty windshield and
wipers will result in poor windshield wiper
operation. Keep the windshield and wiper
blades clean to maintain windshield wiper
performance.

To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
•

Clean the windshield with a
non-abrasive glass cleaner. When
cleaning the interior of the windshield,
avoid getting any glass cleaner on the
instrument panel or door panels. Wipe
any glass cleaner off these surfaces
immediately.

•

For windshields contaminated with
tree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean
the entire windshield using steel wool
(no greater than 0000 grade) in a
circular motion and rinse with water.

•

Clean the wiper blades with isopropyl
rubbing alcohol or windshield washer
concentrate.

Note:

Do not use razor blades or other

sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
The vehicle warranty does not cover
damage caused to the heated rear window
grid lines.

CLEANING THE INTERIOR

WARNING:

Do not use cleaning

solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's
seatbelts, as these actions may weaken
the belt webbing.

WARNING:

On vehicles equipped

with seat-mounted airbags, do not use
chemical solvents or strong detergents.
Such products could contaminate the
side airbag system and affect
performance of the side airbag in a crash.

For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and seats
equipped with side airbags:
•

Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.

•

Remove light stains and soil with
Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.

•

If grease or tar is present on the
material, spot-clean the area first with
Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Multi-Purpose
Cleaner.

•

If a ring forms on the fabric after spot
cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate)
or the ring will set.

•

Do not use household cleaning
products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect
the flame retardant abilities of the seat
materials.

Mirrors

Do not clean the housing or glass of any
mirror with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum or ammonia-based cleaning
products.

239

Vehicle Care

CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS

WARNING:

Do not use chemical

solvents or strong detergents when
cleaning the steering wheel or
instrument panel to avoid contamination
of the airbag system.

Note:

Follow the same procedure as

cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces.

Clean the instrument panel and cluster
lens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,
then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to dry
these areas.

•

Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase
the gloss of the upper portion of the
instrument panel. The dull finish in this
area helps protect you from
undesirable windshield reflection.

•

Do not use any household cleaning
products or glass cleaners as these
may damage the finish of the
instrument panel, interior trim and
cluster lens.

•

Wash or wipe your hands clean if you
have been in contact with certain
products such as insect repellent and
suntan lotion to avoid possible damage
to the interior painted surfaces.

•

Do not allow air fresheners and hand
sanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.
If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.
Your warranty may not cover these
damages.

If a staining liquid like coffee or juice has
been spilled on the instrument panel or on
interior trim surfaces:

Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,
soft cloth as quickly as possible.

2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather and

Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for
automotive interiors. Test any cleaner
or stain remover on an inconspicuous
area.

3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with a

clean, soft cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a
clean, soft cloth.

4. If necessary, apply more soap and

water solution or cleaning product to
a clean, soft cloth and press it onto the
soiled area. Allow this to set at room
temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with a

clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing
motion for 60 seconds on the soiled
area.

6. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE

Authorized dealers have touch-up paint to
match your vehicle’s color. Your vehicle
color code is printed on a sticker on the
front, left-hand side door jamb. Take your
color code to your authorized dealer to
make sure you get the correct color.

Before repairing minor paint damage, use
a cleaner to remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout.

Read the instructions before using cleaning
products.

CLEANING THE WHEELS

Regularly clean them with a wheel
cleaner. We recommend that you use
Ford approved wheel cleaner if
available.

240

Vehicle Care

2. Remove dirt and brake dust with a

sponge.

3. Remove tar and grease with a bug and

tar remover. We recommend that you
use Ford approved bug and tar remover
if available.

4. Thoroughly rinse the wheels with water

after cleaning.

If you intend on parking your vehicle for an
extended period after cleaning the wheels
with a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle for
a few minutes before doing so. This
reduces the risk of corrosion of the brake
discs, brake pads and linings.

Do not clean the wheels when they are hot.

Note:

Some car washes could damage

wheel rims and covers.

Note:

Using non-recommended cleaners,

harsh cleaning products, chrome wheel
cleaners or abrasive materials could
damage wheel rims and covers.

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.

241

Vehicle Care

•

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.

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.

Disconnecting Your 12 Volt 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 you disconnect the battery
cables.

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.

242

Vehicle Care

GENERAL INFORMATION

Use only approved wheel and tire sizes,
using other sizes could damage your
vehicle. If you change the diameter of the
tires from that fitted at the factory, the
speedometer may not display the correct
speed, and the All Wheel Drive (AWD)
system may not function properly. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer to
have the system reprogrammed. If you
intend to change the size of the wheels
from that fitted by the manufacturer, you
can check the suitability with an authorized
dealer.

Additional information related to the
functionality and maintenance of your tires
can be found later in this chapter. See

Tire

Care

(page 244).

The recommended tire inflation pressures
can be found on the Tire Label, which is
located on the B-pillar or the edge of the
driver's 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.

Set the pressure for your spare tire to the
highest value given for your vehicle and tire
size combination, if equipped.

Notice to utility vehicle and truck
owners

WARNING:

Utility vehicles have a

significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.

WARNING:

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.

WARNING:

In a rollover crash, an

unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a
seatbelt.

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.

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.

243

Wheels and Tires

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.

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:

•

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.

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).

244

Wheels and Tires

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.

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 could 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

245

Wheels and Tires

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).

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.

246

Wheels and Tires

Ford Police Interceptor Utility (2022 year). Manual in english - page 15