Inspection and Verification: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Vehicle may have multiple drive wheels. Do not use engine to power the driveline unless all drive wheels are elevated off the ground. Drive wheels in contact with ground could cause unexpected vehicle movement. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Verify the customer concern by carrying out a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are apparent, GO to SYMPTOM CHART - NVH .

To maximize tire performance, inspect for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear, which may indicate a need for balancing, rotation or front suspension alignment.

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 must follow the recommended:

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

The use of any other tire/wheel size, type or load range can seriously affect:

ride.
handling.
speedometer/odometer calibration.
vehicle ground clearance.
tire clearance between the body and chassis.
wheel bearing life.
brake performance.

New wheels need to 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.

It is mandatory to use only the tire sizes recommended on the tire label located on the driver door or door pillar. Larger or smaller tires can damage the vehicle, affect durability and require changing the speedometer calibration. Make sure wheel size and offsets match those recommended for the tire in use.

Inspect the tires for signs of uneven wear. Refer to the following descriptions to identify the type of wear and GO to SYMPTOM CHART - TIRE WEAR for the appropriate repair action to be carried out.
Check the tires for:
- cuts.
- stone bruises.
- abrasions.
- blisters.
- embedded objects.
Check the valve stem for:
- cracks.
- cuts.
Install a new valve stem when damage is found or any time a new tire is installed.
Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. Install a new tire when the indicator bands are less than 2/32 inch.