Wheels And Tires: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Do not mix different types of tires, such as radial, bias or bias-belted, on the same vehicle except in emergencies (temporary spare usage). Vehicle handling can be seriously affected and can result in loss of control.

Factory-installed tires and wheels are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to and including full-rated load capacity when inflated to recommended inflation pressures.

Correct tire pressure and driving techniques have an important influence on tire life. Heavy cornering, excessively rapid acceleration and unnecessary sharp braking increase tire wear.

Replacement tires should follow the recommended:

tire sizes.
speed rating.
load range.
radial construction type.

Use of any other tire size or type may seriously affect:

vehicle ride.
vehicle handling.
speedometer/odometer calibration.
vehicle ground clearance.
tire clearance between the body and chassis.
wheel bearing life.
brake cooling.
tire pressure sensors (if equipped with TPMS)

New wheels must be installed when the vehicle's wheels:

are bent.
are cracked.
are dented.
are heavily corroded.
are leaking.
have elongated wheel hub bolt holes.
have excessive lateral or radial runout.

The vehicle uses a one-piece cone wheel nut.

Wheel and tire assemblies are attached by 5 noncentering wheel nuts.

The spare tire is mounted under the frame. The valve stem should be on the top side of the tire to reduce the possibility of accidental valve stem air leakage.

To equalize tire wear, rotate the tires periodically.