Get Maintenance and Specifications -> SERVICING YOUR TIRES Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Maintenance and Specifications

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.

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.

SERVICING YOUR TIRES

Checking the tire pressure

• Use an accurate tire gauge.

• Check the pressure when the tires are cold, after the vehicle has been

parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3

miles).

• Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the

Certifications Label.

• Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for

proper air pressure every six months.

Check that the externally mounted spare tire is tight. To verify that the

spare tire is tight, turn the lug wrench clockwise until the tire winch

“overrides”. (Note: the wrench will get harder to turn until the winch

“overrides”. When this happens, you will hear a click and the wrench will

turn easier. This will happen repeatedly as the wrench is turned

clockwise.)

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Maintenance and Specifications

Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail

suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle

rollover and/or personal injury.

Tire rotation

• Four tire rotation

To make sure your tires wear

evenly, rotate them as indicated in

the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.

If your tires wear unevenly, have

them checked.

Replacing tires

Replace the tires when the wear

band is visible. Due to exposure to

the elements and exhaust you

should replace the spare tire when

you replace the other tires.

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Maintenance and Specifications

Never mix radial bias-belted tires, or bias-type tires. Use only the

tire sizes that are listed on the Certification Label. Make sure

that all tires are the same size, speed rating, and load carrying

capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on the label. If

you do not follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be

effected which can lead to loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover

and/or personal injury.

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,

load-carrying capacity and tread design as originally offered by

Ford.

Do not replace your tires with “high performance” tires or larger

size tires.

Failure to follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be

adversely effected which can lead to loss of vehicle control,

vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.

Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may

affect the accuracy of your speedometer.

Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped)

The tire pressure monitoring system provides the driver with a warning

message indicating when tire pressure is severely low or high. This

system is a supplement to normal tire maintenance including regular

manual inspections. The device will inform the operator of severe low or

high inflation pressures, but may not illuminate for less severe

discrepancies in inflation pressure.

The system uses radio-frequency pressure sensors to monitor the tire

pressure on all tires including the spare. The sensors transmit the tire

pressure readings to the receiver module located in the vehicle. The

receiver module then transmits the status to the message center. For

more tire warning information, refer to the Message Center in the

Driver controls chapter.

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Maintenance and Specifications

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and with RS-210 of

Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a substitute for

manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be

checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge, see

Checking the tire pressure in this chapter. Failure to properly

maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss

of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.

Changing tires with TPMS

It is recommended that you always

have your tires serviced by a dealer

or qualified technician. Each tire is

equipped with a tire pressure

sensor mounted on the wheel

inside the tire behind the valve

stem. The tire pressure sensor

must be unbolted from the wheel prior to tire removal. The

sensor can be removed by loosening the nut at the valve stem.

Failure to remove the sensor may damage it. The rubber grommet

(washer) between the wheel and the tire pressure sensor needs to be

replaced when any tire is changed to minimize air leaks.

The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using

a tire gauge, refer to Checking the tire pressure in this chapter.

USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES

Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you

currently have on your vehicle.

The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in

rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction

devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved

accessory and recommends use of these or SAE class “S” tire cables. See

your dealer or qualified service technician for more information on tire

cables for your vehicle.

Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:

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Maintenance and Specifications -> SERVICING YOUR TIRES for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

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