Get Wheels and Tires Guide for Ford Fusion 4 Door Second Generation (2013-2020)

Wheels and Tires

Information About Uniform

Tire Quality Grading

TIRE CARE

Important Information for

235/40R18 Low-Profile Tires

and Wheels

If your vehicle is equipped with

235/40R18 tires, they are

low-profile tires. These tires and

wheels are designed to give your

vehicle a sport appearance. With

low-profile tires, you may notice

an increase in road noise and

faster tire wear, depending on

road conditions and driving styles.

Due to their design, low-profile

tires and wheels are more prone

to road damage from potholes,

rough or unpaved roads, car wash

rails and curb contact than

E142542

Tire Quality Grades apply to new

pneumatic passenger car tires.

The tire Quality Grades can be

found where applicable on the tire

sidewall between tread shoulder

and maximum section width. For

example: Treadwear 200

standard tires and wheels.

Note: Your vehicle’s warranty does

not cover these types of damage.

Tires should always be kept at the

correct inflation pressures and

extra caution should be taken when

operating on rough roads to avoid

impacts that could cause wheel

and tire damage.

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 ©)(2).

246

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

U.S. Department of

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 may have poor traction

performance.

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

Temperature A B C

WARNING

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.

The temperature grade for

this tire is established for a

tire that is properly inflated and

not overloaded. Excessive speed,

under-inflation, 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

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.

corresponds to a level of

performance which all passenger

car tires must meet under the

247

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

PSI: Pounds per square inch, a

standard unit of air pressure.

Standard No. 139. Grades B and A

represent higher levels of

performance on the laboratory

test wheel than the minimum

required by law.

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).

Glossary of Tire Terminology

Tire label: A label showing the

OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,

recommended inflation pressure

and the maximum weight the

vehicle can carry.

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’s door.

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.

B-pillar: The structural member

at the side of the vehicle behind

the front door.

Inflation pressure: A measure

of the amount of air in a tire.

Standard load: A class of

Bead area of the tire: Area of the

tire next to the rim.

P-metric or Metric tires designed

to carry a maximum load at 35 psi

(2.41 bar)[36 psi (2.5 bar) for

Metric tires]. Increasing the

inflation pressure beyond this

pressure will not increase the tire’s

load carrying capability.

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.

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

Rim: The metal support (wheel)

for a tire or a tire and tube

assembly upon which the tire

beads are seated.

carrying capability.

kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of

air pressure.

248

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Information Contained on the

Tire Sidewall

A. P: Indicates a tire, designated

by the Tire and Rim Association,

that may be used for service on

cars, sport utility vehicles,

minivans and light trucks. Note: If

your tire size does not begin with

a letter, this may mean it is

designated by either the European

Tire and Rim Technical

Organization or the Japan Tire

Manufacturing Association.

Both U.S. and Canada Federal

regulations require tire

manufacturers to place

standardized information on the

sidewall of all tires. This

information identifies and

describes the fundamental

characteristics of the tire and also

provides a U.S. DOT Tire

Identification Number for safety

standard certification and in case

of a recall.

B. 215: Indicates the nominal

width of the tire in millimeters

from sidewall edge to sidewall

edge. In general, the larger the

number, the wider the tire.

Information on P Type Tires

C. 65: Indicates the aspect ratio

which gives the tire's ratio of

height to width.

E

D

C

F

G

B

D. R: Indicates a radial type tire.

H

E. 15: Indicates the wheel or rim

diameter in inches. If you change

your wheel size, you will have to

purchase new tires to match the

new wheel diameter.

A

I

F. 95: Indicates the tire's load

index. It is an index that relates to

how much weight a tire can carry.

You may find this information in

your owner’s manual. If not,

contact a local tire dealer.

J

M

L

K

E142543

Note: You may not find this

information on all tires because it

is not required by federal law.

P215/65R15 95H is an example of

a tire size, load index and speed

rating. The definitions of these

items are listed below. (Note that

the tire size, load index and speed

rating for your vehicle may be

different from this example.)

249

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

G. H: Indicates the tire's speed

rating. The speed rating denotes

the speed at which a tire is

Letter

rating

Speed rating

W

Y

168 mph (270 km/h)

186 mph (299 km/h)

designed to be driven for extended

periods of time under a standard

condition of load and inflation

pressure. The tires on your vehicle

may operate at different

conditions for load and inflation

pressure. These speed ratings may

need to be adjusted for the

difference in conditions. The

ratings range from 81 mph

Note: For tires with a maximum

speed capability over 149 mph

(240 km/h), tire manufacturers

sometimes use the letters ZR. For

those with a maximum speed

capability over 186 mph (299

km/h), tire manufacturers always

use the letters ZR.

(130 km/h) to 186 mph

(299 km/h). These ratings are

listed in the following chart.

H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification

Number (TIN): This begins with

the letters DOT and indicates that

the tire meets all federal

Note: You may not find this

information on all tires because it

is not required by federal law.

standards. The next two numbers

or letters are the plant code

designating where it was

Letter

rating

Speed rating

manufactured, the next two are

the tire size code and the last four

numbers represent the week and

year the tire was built. For

example, the numbers 317 mean

the 31st week of 1997. After 2000

the numbers go to four digits. For

example, 2501 means the 25th

week of 2001. The numbers in

between are identification codes

used for traceability. This

M

N

Q

R

S

T

81 mph (130 km/h)

87 mph (140 km/h)

99 mph (159 km/h)

106 mph (171 km/h)

112 mph (180 km/h)

118 mph (190 km/h)

124 mph (200 km/h)

130 mph (210 km/h)

149 mph (240 km/h)

U

H

V

information is used to contact

customers if a tire defect requires

a recall.

I. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or

AT: All Terrain, or

AS: All Season.

250

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

J. Tire Ply Composition and

*Traction: 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 may have poor traction

performance.

Material Used: Indicates the

number of plies or the number of

layers of rubber-coated fabric in

the tire tread and sidewall. Tire

manufacturers also must indicate

the ply materials in the tire and the

sidewall, which include steel,

nylon, polyester, and others.

K. Maximum Load: Indicates the

maximum load in kilograms and

pounds that can be carried by the

tire. Refer to the Safety

*Temperature: The temperature

grades are A (the highest), B and

C, representing the tire's

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), for the correct tire

pressure for your vehicle.

resistance to the generation of

heat and its ability to dissipate

heat when tested under controlled

conditions on a specified indoor

laboratory test wheel.

M. Maximum Inflation

Pressure: Indicates the tire

manufacturer's maximum

permissible pressure or the

L. Treadwear, Traction and

Temperature Grades:

pressure at which the maximum

load can be carried by the tire. This

pressure is normally higher than

themanufacturer'srecommended

cold inflation pressure, which can

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), or Tire Label which is

located on the B-Pillar or the edge

of the driver’s door. The cold

inflation pressure should never be

set lower than the recommended

pressure on the vehicle label.

*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 one and one-half

times as well on the government

course as a tire graded 100.

251

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

The tire suppliers may have

C. Maximum Load Dual lb (kg)

at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates the

maximum load and tire pressure

when the tire is used as a dual,

defined as four tires on the rear

axle (a total of six or more tires on

the vehicle).

additional markings, notes or

warnings such as standard load,

radial tubeless, etc.

Additional Information

Contained on the Tire Sidewall

for LT Type Tires

D. Maximum Load Single lb

(kg) at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates

the maximum load and tire

pressure when the tire is used as

a single, defined as two tires

(total) on the rear axle.

B

C

A

Information on T Type Tires

T type tires have some additional

information beyond those of P

type tires; these differences are

described below:

T145/80D16 is an example of a

tire size.

Note: The temporary tire size for

your vehicle may be different from

this example. Tire Quality Grades

do not apply to this type of tire.

D

B

E142544

LT type tires have some additional

information beyond those of P

type tires; these differences are

described below.

Note: Tire Quality Grades do not

apply to this type of tire.

A. LT: Indicates a tire, designated

by the Tire and Rim Association,

that is intended for service on light

trucks.

B. Load Range and Load

Inflation Limits: Indicates the

tire's load-carrying capabilities

and its inflation limits.

252

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

R: Indicates a radial type tire.

E. 16: Indicates the wheel or rim

diameter in inches. If you change

your wheel size, you will have to

purchase new tires to match the

new wheel diameter.

C

D

B

E

A

Location of the Tire Label

You will find a Tire Label

containing tire inflation pressure

by tire size and other important

information located on the B-Pillar

or the edge of the driver door.

Inflating Your Tires

Safe operation of your vehicle

requires that your tires are

properly inflated. Remember that

a tire can lose up to half of its air

pressure without appearing flat.

Every day before you drive, check

your tires. If one looks lower than

the others, use a tire gauge to

check pressure of all tires and

adjust if required.

E142545

A. T: Indicates a type of tire,

designated by the Tire and Rim

Association, that is intended for

temporary service on cars,

sport-utility vehicles, minivans and

light trucks.

At least once a month and before

long trips, inspect each tire and

check the tire pressure with a tire

gauge (including spare, if

equipped). Inflate all tires to the

inflation pressure recommended

by Ford Motor Company.

B. 145: Indicates the nominal

width of the tire in millimeters

from sidewall edge to sidewall

edge. In general, the larger the

number, the wider the tire.

C. 80: Indicates the aspect ratio

which gives the tire's ratio of

height to width. Numbers of 70 or

lower indicate a short sidewall.

D. D: Indicates a diagonal type tire.

253

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

(affixed to either the door hinge

WARNING

pillar, door-latch post, or the door

edge that meets the door-latch

post, next to the driver's seating

position), or Tire Label which is

located on the B-Pillar or the edge

of the driver door. Failure to follow

the tire pressure

recommendations can cause

uneven treadwear patterns and

adversely affect the way your

vehicle handles.

Under-inflation is the most

common cause of tire failures

and may result in severe tire

cracking, tread separation or

blowout, with unexpected loss of

vehicle control and increased risk

of injury. Under-inflation increases

sidewall flexing and rolling

resistance, resulting in heat

buildup and internal damage to

the tire. It also may result in

unnecessary tire stress, irregular

wear, loss of vehicle control and

accidents. A tire can lose up to

half of its air pressure and not

appear to be flat!

Maximum Inflation Pressure is

the tire manufacturer's maximum

permissible pressure or the

pressure at which the maximum

load can be carried by the tire. This

pressure is normally higher than

themanufacturer’srecommended

cold inflation pressure, which can

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), or Tire Label which is

located on the B-Pillar or the edge

of the driver’s door. The cold

inflation pressure should never be

set lower than the recommended

pressure on the Safety

You are strongly urged to buy a

reliable tire pressure gauge, as

automatic service station gauges

may be inaccurate. Ford

recommends the use of a digital

or dial-type tire pressure gauge

rather than a stick-type tire

pressure gauge.

Use the recommended cold

inflation pressure for optimum tire

performance and wear.

Under-inflation or over-inflation

may cause uneven treadwear

patterns.

Compliance Certification Label or

Tire Label.

Always inflate your tires to the

Ford recommended inflation

pressure even if it is less than the

maximum inflation pressure

information found on the tire. The

Ford recommended tire inflation

pressure is found on the Safety

Compliance Certification Label

254

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

When weather temperature

3. Add enough air to reach the

recommended air pressure.

changes occur, tire inflation

pressures also change. A 10°F

(6°C) temperature drop can

cause a corresponding drop of

1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure.

Check your tire pressures

frequently and adjust them to the

proper pressure which can be

found on the Safety Compliance

Certification Label or Tire Label.

Note: If you overfill the tire, release

air by pressing on the metal stem

in the center of the valve. Then

recheck the pressure with your tire

gauge.

4. Replace the valve cap.

5. Repeat this procedure for each

tire, including the spare.

To check the pressure in your

tire(s):

Note: Some spare tires operate at

a higher inflation pressure than the

other tires. For T-type mini-spare

tires, refer to the Dissimilar spare

wheel and tire assembly

1. Make sure the tires are cool,

meaning they are not hot from

driving even a mile.

information for a description. Store

and maintain at 60 psi (4.15 bar).

For full-size and dissimilar spare

tires, refer to the Dissimilar spare

wheel and tire assembly

information for a description. Store

and maintain at the higher of the

front and rear inflation pressure as

shown on the Tire Label.

Note: If you are checking tire

pressure when the tire is hot, (for

example, driven more than 1 mile

[1.6 kilometers], never bleed or

reduce air pressure. The tires are

hot from driving and it is normal for

pressures to increase above

recommended cold pressures. A

hot tire at or below recommended

cold inflation pressure could be

significantly under-inflated.

6. Visually inspect the tires to

make sure there are no nails or

other objects embedded that

could poke a hole in the tire and

cause an air leak.

Note: If you have to drive a

distance to get air for your tire(s),

check and record the tire pressure

first and add the appropriate air

pressure when you get to the

pump. It is normal for tires to heat

up and the air pressure inside to go

up as you drive.

7. Check the sidewalls to make

sure there are no gouges, cuts or

bulges.

2. Remove the cap from the valve

on one tire, then firmly press the

tire gauge onto the valve and

measure the pressure.

255

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Inspecting Your Tires and

Tire Wear

Wheel Valve Stems

Periodically inspect the tire treads

for uneven or excessive wear and

remove objects such as stones,

nails or glass that may be wedged

in the tread grooves. Check the tire

and valve stems for holes, cracks,

or cuts that may permit air

leakage and repair or replace the

tire and replace the valve stem.

Inspect the tire sidewalls for

cracking, cuts, bruises and other

signs of damage or excessive

wear. If internal damage to the tire

is suspected, have the tire

demounted and inspected in case

it needs to be repaired or replaced.

For your safety, tires that are

damaged or show signs of

E142546

When the tread is worn down to

1/16th of an inch (2 mm), tires

must be replaced to help prevent

your vehicle from skidding and

hydroplaning. Built-in treadwear

indicators, or wear bars, which

look like narrow strips of smooth

rubber across the tread will

appear on the tire when the tread

is worn down to 1/16th of an inch

(2 mm).

excessive wear should not be used

because they are more likely to

blow out or fail.

Improper or inadequate vehicle

maintenance can cause tires to

wear abnormally. Inspect all your

tires, including the spare,

frequently, and replace them if

one or more of the following

conditions exist:

When the tire tread wears down

to the same height as these wear

bars, the tire is worn out and must

be replaced.

Damage

Periodically inspect the tire treads

and sidewalls for damage (such

as bulges in the tread or sidewalls,

cracks in the tread groove and

separation in the tread or

sidewall). If damage is observed

256

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

or suspected have the tire

describes the fundamental

characteristics of the tire and also

provides a United States DOT Tire

Identification Number for safety

standard certification and in case

of a recall.

inspected by a tire professional.

Tires can be damaged during

off-road use, so inspection after

off-road use is also

recommended.

This begins with the letters DOT

and indicates that the tire meets

all federal standards. The next

two numbers or letters are the

plant code designating where it

was manufactured, the next two

are the tire size code and the last

four numbers represent the week

and year the tire was built. For

example, the numbers 317 mean

the 31st week of 1997. After 2000

the numbers go to four digits. For

example, 2501 means the 25th

week of 2001. The numbers in

between are identification codes

used for traceability. This

Age

WARNING

Tires degrade over time

depending on many factors

such as weather, storage

conditions, and conditions of use

(such as load, speed, inflation

pressure, etc.) the tires experience

throughout their lives.

In general, tires should be

replaced after six years regardless

of tread wear. However, heat

caused by hot climates or

frequent high loading conditions

can accelerate the aging process

and may require tires to be

replaced more frequently.

information is used to contact

customers if a tire defect requires

a recall.

Tire Replacement

Requirements

You should replace your spare tire

when you replace the road tires or

after six years due to aging even if

it has not been used.

Your vehicle is equipped with tires

designed to provide a safe ride

and handling capability.

U.S. DOT Tire Identification

Number

WARNINGS

Only use replacement tires

and wheels that are the same

size, load index, speed rating and

type (such as P-metric versus

LT-metric or all-season versus

all-terrain) as those originally

provided by Ford. The

Both United States and Canada

Federal regulations require tire

manufacturers to place

standardized information on the

sidewall of all tires. This

information identifies and

recommended tire and wheel size

257

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

WARNINGS

may be found on either 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 the Tire Label which

is located on the B-Pillar or edge

of the driver’s door. If this

When inflating the tire for

mounting pressures up to 20 psi

(1.38 bar) greater than the

maximum pressure on the tire

sidewall, the following

precautions must be taken to

protect the person mounting the

tire:

information is not found on these

labels, then you should contact

your authorized dealer as soon as

possible. Use of any tire or wheel

not recommended by Ford can

affect the safety and performance

of your vehicle, which could result

in an increased risk of loss of

vehicle control, vehicle rollover,

personal injury and death.

1. Make sure that you have the

correct tire and wheel size.

2. Lubricate the tire bead and

wheel bead seat area again.

3. Stand at a minimum of 12 ft

(3.66 m) away from the wheel

and tire assembly.

Additionally the use of

4. Use both eye and ear

protection.

non-recommended tires and

wheels could cause steering,

suspension, axle, transfer case or

power transfer unit failure. If you

have questions regarding tire

replacement, contact your

For a mounting pressure more

than 20 psi (1.38 bar) greater than

the maximum pressure, a Ford

dealer or other tire service

professional should do the

mounting.

authorized dealer as soon as

possible.

When mounting replacement

tires and wheels, you should

not exceed the maximum pressure

indicated on the sidewall of the

tire to set the beads without

additional precautions listed

below. If the beads do not seat at

the maximum pressure indicated,

re-lubricate and try again.

Always inflate steel carcass tires

with a remote air fill with the

person inflating standing at a

minimum of 12 ft (3.66 m) away

from the wheel and tire assembly.

Important: Remember to replace

the wheel valve stems when the

road tires are replaced on your

vehicle.

258

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

It is recommended that the two

front tires or two rear tires

generally be replaced as a pair.

Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.

Avoid potholes and objects on the

road.

The tire pressure sensors mounted

in the wheels (originally installed

on your vehicle) are not designed

to be used in aftermarket wheels.

Do not run over curbs or hit the tire

against a curb when parking.

Highway Hazards

The use of wheels or tires not

recommended by Ford Motor

Company may affect the

operation of your tire pressure

monitoring system.

No matter how carefully you drive

there is always the possibility that

you may eventually have a flat tire

on the highway. Drive slowly to the

closest safe area out of traffic.

This may further damage the flat

tire, but your safety is more

important.

If the tire pressure monitoring

system indicator is flashing, your

tire pressure monitoring system is

malfunctioning. Your replacement

tire might be incompatible with

your TPMS, or some component

of the TPMS may be damaged.

If you feel a sudden vibration or

ride disturbance while driving, or

you suspect your tire or vehicle

has been damaged, immediately

reduce your speed. Drive with

caution until you can safely pull

off the road. Stop and inspect the

tires for damage. If a tire is

under-inflated or damaged,

deflate it, remove wheel and

replace it with your spare tire and

wheel. If you cannot detect a

cause, have the vehicle towed to

the nearest repair facility or tire

dealer to have the vehicle

Safety Practices

WARNINGS

If your vehicle is stuck in

snow, mud, sand, etc., do not

rapidly spin the tires. Spinning the

tires can tear the tire and cause

an explosion. A tire can explode in

as little as three to five seconds.

Do not spin the wheels at

over 30 mph (56 km/h). The

tires may fail and injure a

passenger or bystander.

inspected.

Drivinghabitshaveagreatdeal

to do with your tire mileage and

safety.

Observe posted speed limits.

259

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Tire and Wheel Alignment

Tire Rotation

WARNING

A bad jolt from hitting a curb or

pothole can cause the front end

of your vehicle to become

misaligned or cause damage to

your tires. If your vehicle seems to

pull to one side when you are

driving, the wheels may be out of

alignment. Have an authorized

dealer check the wheel alignment

periodically.

If the tire label shows

different tire pressures for the

front and rear tires and the vehicle

is equipped with a tire pressure

monitoring system, then the

settings for the system sensors

need to be updated. Always

perform the system reset

procedure after tire rotation. If the

system is not reset, it may not

provide a low tire pressure

warning when necessary. See Tire

Pressure Monitoring System

(page 262).

Wheel misalignment in the front

or the rear can cause uneven and

rapid treadwear of your tires and

should be corrected by an

authorized dealer. Front-wheel

drive vehicles and those with an

independent rear suspension (if

equipped) may require alignment

of all four wheels.

Note: If your tires show uneven

wear ask an authorized dealer to

check for and correct any wheel

misalignment, tire imbalance or

mechanical problem involved

before tire rotation.

The tires should also be balanced

periodically. An unbalanced tire

and wheel assembly may result in

irregular tire wear.

Note: Your vehicle may be

equipped with a dissimilar spare

wheel and tire assembly. A

dissimilar spare wheel and tire

assembly is defined as a spare

wheel and tire assembly that is

different in brand, size or

appearance from the road tires and

wheels. If you have a dissimilar

spare wheel and tire assembly it is

intended for temporary use only

and should not be used in a tire

rotation.

Note: After having your tires

rotated, inflation pressure must be

checked and adjusted to the

vehicle requirements.

260

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

The tires on your vehicle have all-weather

Rotating your tires at the

recommended interval (as

indicated in the Scheduled

Maintenance chapter) will help

your tires wear more evenly,

providing better tire performance

and longer tire life.

treads to provide traction in rain and snow.

However, in some climates, you may need

to use snow tires or snow chains.

If you choose to install snow tires on your

vehicle, they must be the same size,

construction, and load range as the original

tires listed on the tire inflation pressure

label (located on the edge of the driver

door or the B-Pillar) and they must be

installed on all four wheels. Mixing tires of

different size or construction on your

vehicle can adversely affect your vehicle’s

handling and braking, and may lead to loss

of vehicle control.

Front-wheel drive vehicles (front

tires on the left side of the

diagram).

If you use snow chains, we recommend

that steel wheels of the same size and

specifications are used. Snow chains may

damage aluminum wheels.

Follow these guidelines when using snow

chains:

•

Avoid fully loading your vehicle.

Only use small link snow chains of

approximately 10mm with 215/55R16

tires only.

E142547

Sometimes irregular tire wear can

be corrected by rotating the tires.

•

Only use small link snow chains of

approximately 15mm with 195/65R15

tires only.

USING SNOW CHAINS

•

Only use snow chains on the tire sizes

listed above.

WARNING

Snow chains must be mounted in pairs

on the front axle.

Snow tires must be the same size,

load index, speed rating as those

originally provided by Ford. Use of

Install snow chains securely, make sure

they do not touch any wiring, brake

lines or fuel lines.

any tire or wheel not recommended by

Ford can affect the safety and

performance of your vehicle, which could

result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle

control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and

death. Additionally, the use of

•

Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) or

the maximum speed recommended by

the chain manufacturer, whichever is

less.

non-recommended tires and wheels could

cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer

case or power transfer unit failure.

•

Remove the cables when they are no

longer needed.

Do not use snow chains on dry roads.

261

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Please note that the TPMS is not a

TIREPRESSUREMONITORING

SYSTEM

substitute for proper tire maintenance, and

it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain

correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation

has not reached the level to trigger

illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure

telltale.

WARNING

The tire pressure monitoring system

is not a substitute for manually

checking tire pressures. You should

periodically check tire pressures using a

pressure gauge. Failure to correctly

maintain tire pressures could increase the

risk of tire failure, loss of control, vehicle

rollover and personal injury.

Your vehicle has also been equipped with

a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate

when the system is not operating properly.

The TPMS malfunction indicator is

combined with the low tire pressure

telltale. When the system detects a

malfunction, the telltale will flash for

approximately one minute and then remain

continuously illuminated. This sequence

will continue upon subsequent vehicle

start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.

Each tire, including the spare (if

provided), should be checked

monthly when cold and inflated

to the inflation pressure recommended by

the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle

placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If

your vehicle has tires of a different size

than the size indicated on the vehicle

placard or tire inflation pressure label, you

should determine the proper tire inflation

pressure for those tires.)

When the malfunction indicator is

illuminated, the system may not be able

to detect or signal low tire pressure as

intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur

for a variety of reasons, including the

installation of replacement or alternate

tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent

the TPMS from functioning properly.

Always check the TPMS malfunction

telltale after replacing one or more tires or

wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the

replacement or alternate tires and wheels

allow the TPMS to continue to function

properly.

As an added safety feature, your vehicle

has been equipped with a Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (TPMS) that

illuminates a low tire pressure telltale

when one or more of your tires is

significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,

when the low tire pressure telltale

This device complies with Part 15 of the

FCC Rules and with Industry Canada

license-exempt RSS standard(s).

Operation is subject to the following two

conditions:

illuminates, you should stop and check

your tires as soon as possible, and inflate

them to the proper pressure. Driving on a

significantly under-inflated tire causes the

tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.

Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency

and tire tread life, and may affect the

vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

•

This device may not cause harmful

interference.

•

This device must accept any

interference received, including

interference that may cause undesired

operation.

262

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Changing Tires With a Tire

Pressure Monitoring System

Understanding Your Tire Pressure

Monitoring System

The tire pressure monitoring system

measures pressure in your four road tires

and sends the tire pressure readings to

your vehicle. The low tire pressure warning

light will turn on if the tire pressure is

significantly low. Once the light is

illuminated, your tires are under-inflated

and need to be inflated to the

manufacturer’s recommended tire

pressure. Even if the light turns on and a

short time later turns off, your tire pressure

still needs to be checked.

E142549

When Your Temporary Spare Tire is

Installed

Note: Each road tire is equipped with a tire

pressure sensor located inside the wheel

and tire assembly cavity. The pressure

sensor is attached to the valve stem. The

pressure sensor is covered by the tire and is

not visible unless the tire is removed. Take

care when changing the tire to avoid

damaging the sensor

When one of your road tires needs to be

replaced with the temporary spare, the

system will continue to identify an issue to

remind you that the damaged road wheel

and tire assembly needs to be repaired and

put back on your vehicle.

You should always have your tires serviced

by an authorized dealer.

To restore the full function of the tire

pressure monitoring system, have the

damaged road wheel and tire assembly

repaired and remounted on your vehicle.

Check the tire pressure periodically (at

least monthly) using an accurate tire

gauge. See Inflating Your Tires in this

chapter.

When You Believe Your System is Not

Operating Properly

The main function of the tire pressure

monitoring system is to warn you when

your tires need air. It can also warn you in

the event the system is no longer capable

of functioning as intended. See the

following chart for information concerning

your tire pressure monitoring system:

263

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Low tire pressure

warning light

Possible cause

Customer action required

Solid warning light Tire(s) under-inflated Make sure tires are at the proper pres-

sure. See Inflating your tires in this

chapter. After inflating your tires to the

manufacturer’s recommended pressure

as shown on the Tire Label (located on

the edge of driver’s door or the B-Pillar),

the vehicle must be driven for at least

two minutes over 20 mph (32 km/h)

before the light turns off.

Spare tire in use

Repair the damaged road wheel and tire

assembly and reinstall it on the vehicle

to restore system function. For a

description on how the system functions,

see When your temporary spare tire

is installed in this section.

TPMS malfunction

Spare tire in use

If the tires are properly inflated and the

spare tire is not in use but the light

remains on, contact your authorized

dealer as soon as possible.

Flashing warning

light

Repair the damaged road wheel and tire

assembly and reinstall it on the vehicle

to restore system function. For a

description on how the system functions,

see When your temporary spare tire

is installed in this section.

TPMS malfunction

If the tires are properly inflated and the

spare tire is not in use but the light

remains on, contact your authorized

dealer as soon as possible.

It may take up to two minutes of driving

over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turn

off after you have filled your tires to the

recommended inflation pressure

When Inflating Your Tires

When putting air into your tires (such as at

a gas station or in your garage), the tire

pressure monitoring system may not

respond immediately to the air added to

your tires.

264

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

How Temperature Affects Your Tire

Pressure

Note: The tire pressure monitoring system

indicator light will illuminate when the spare

tire is in use. To restore the full function of

the monitoring system, all road wheels

equipped with tire pressure monitoring

sensors must be mounted on this vehicle.

The tire pressure monitoring system

monitors tire pressure in each pneumatic

tire. While driving in a normal manner, a

typical passenger tire inflation pressure

may increase about 2–4 psi (14–28 kPa)

from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is

stationary overnight with the outside

temperature significantly lower than the

daytime temperature, the tire pressure may

decrease about 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop of

30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This

lower pressure value may be detected by

the tire pressure monitoring system as

being significantly lower than the

If you get a flat tire while driving, do not

apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually

decrease your speed. Hold the steering

wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe

place on the side of the road.

Have a flat serviced by an authorized

dealer in order to prevent damage to the

system sensors See Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (page 262). Replace

the spare tire with a road tire as soon as

possible. During repairing or replacing of

the flat tire, have the authorized dealer

inspect the system sensor for damage.

recommended inflation pressure and

activate the system warning light for low

tire pressure. If the low tire pressure

warning light is on, visually check each tire

to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more

tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check

the air pressure in the road tires. If any tire

is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle

to the nearest location where air can be

added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to

the recommended inflation pressure.

Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire

Assembly Information

WARNING

Failure to follow these guidelines

could result in an increased risk of

loss of vehicle control, injury or death.

CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL

If you have a dissimilar spare wheel and

tire, then it is intended for temporary use

only. This means that if you need to use it,

you should replace it as soon as possible

with a road wheel and tire assembly that

is the same size and type as the road tires

and wheels that were originally provided

by Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel

is damaged, it should be replaced rather

than repaired.

WARNINGS

The use of tire sealant may damage

your tire pressure monitoring system

and should only be used in roadside

emergencies. If you must use a sealant, the

Ford Tire Mobility Kit sealant should be

used. The tire pressure monitoring system

sensor and valve stem on the wheel must

be replaced by an authorized dealer after

use of the sealant.

A dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly

is defined as a spare wheel and tire

assembly that is different in brand, size or

appearance from the road tires and wheels

and can be one of three types:

If the tire pressure monitor sensor

becomes damaged, it will no longer

function. See Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (page 262).

265

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

1. T-type mini-spare: This spare tire

•

Use commercial car washing

equipment.

begins with the letter T for tire size and

may have Temporary Use Only molded in

the sidewall.

Use snow chains on the end of the

vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel

and tire assembly.

2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label

on wheel: This spare tire has a label on

the wheel that states: THIS WHEEL AND

TIRE ASSEMBLY FOR TEMPORARY USE

ONLY

The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare

wheel and tire assembly can lead to

impairment of the following:

•

Handling, stability and braking

performance.

When driving with one of the dissimilar

spare tires listed above, do not:

•

Comfort and noise.

•

Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).

Ground clearance and parking at curbs.

Winter weather driving capability.

Wet weather driving capability.

All-wheel driving capability.

Load the vehicle beyond maximum

vehicle load rating listed on the Safety

Compliance Label.

•

Tow a trailer.

When driving with the full-size dissimilar

spare wheel and tire assembly, additional

caution should be given to:

Use snow chains on the end of the

vehicle with the dissimilar spare tire.

•

Use more than one dissimilar spare tire

at a time.

•

Towing a trailer.

Driving vehicles equipped with a

camper body.

Use commercial car washing

equipment.

•

Driving vehicles with a load on the

cargo rack.

Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.

Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires

listed above at any one wheel location can

lead to impairment of the following:

Drive cautiously when using a full-size

dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly

and seek service as soon as possible.

•

Handling, stability and braking

performance.

Tire Change Procedure

WARNINGS

•

Comfort and noise.

Ground clearance and parking at curbs.

Winter weather driving capability.

Wet weather driving capability.

All-wheel driving capability.

When one of the front wheels is off

the ground, the transmission alone

will not prevent the vehicle from

moving or slipping off the jack, even if the

transmission is in park (P) or neutral (N).

3. Full-size dissimilar spare without

label on wheel

To help prevent the vehicle from

moving when you change a tire, be

sure to place the transmission in park

(P), set the parking brake and block (in

both directions) the wheel that is

When driving with the full-size dissimilar

spare wheel and tire assembly, do not:

•

Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).

diagonally opposite (other side and end of

the vehicle) to the tire being changed.

Use more than one dissimilar spare

wheel and tire assembly at a time.

266

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

WARNINGS

Never get underneath a vehicle that

is supported only by a jack. If the

vehicle slips off the jack, you or

someone else could be seriously injured.

Do not attempt to change a tire on

the side of the vehicle close to

moving traffic. Pull far enough off the

road to avoid the danger of being hit when

operating the jack or changing the wheel.

Always use the jack provided as

original equipment with your vehicle.

If using a jack other than the one

E142551

8. Block the diagonally opposite wheel.

provided as original equipment with your

vehicle, make sure the jack capacity is

adequate for the vehicle weight, including

any vehicle cargo or modifications.

9. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half

turn counterclockwise, but do not

remove them until the wheel is raised

off the ground.

10. The vehicle jacking points are shown

here, and are depicted on the warning

label on the jack. Note: Jack at the

specified locations to avoid damage

to the vehicle.

Note: Passengers should not remain in the

vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.

1. Park on a level surface, set the parking

brake and activate the hazard flashers.

2. Place the transmission in park (P)

(automatic transmission) or neutral

(N) (manual transmission) and turn

the engine off.

3. Remove the carpeted wheel cover.

4. Remove the spare tire bolt securing the

spare tire by turning it

counterclockwise.

E145908

5. Remove the spare tire from the spare

tire compartment

11.

Indentations in the sills show the

location of the jacking points.

6. Remove the retaining bolt securing the

jack by turning it counterclockwise.

7. Remove the jack.

267

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Stowing the Flat Tire

The full-size road wheel can be stowed in

the spare tire compartment.

1. Lift the carpeted wheel cover at an

angle to access the spare tire

compartment.

2. Place the wheel in the spare tire well

with the valve stem facing down. Use

the mini-spare bolt to secure the

wheel.

E142553

3. Place the jack and tools back into the

spare tire compartment.

12. Remove the lug nuts with the lug

wrench.

4. Replace the carpeted wheel cover.

13. Replace the flat tire with the spare

tire, making sure the valve stem is

facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts

until the wheel is snug against the

hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts

until the wheel has been lowered.

DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED

Tire pressure - Speeds greater than 100

mph (160 km/h)

WARNING

14. Lower the wheel by turning the jack

handle counterclockwise.

To reduce the risk of potential tire

failure that could lead to serious

injury or death, increase the front and

rear tire placard pressures by the amount

shown on the warning label, located on

either the driver side B-pillar or door, when

driving over 100 mph (160 km/h). Only

travel at speeds over 100 mph (160 km/h)

where it is legal and conditions allow. The

tire placard pressure can be found on the

tire placard located on either the driver side

B-pillar or door of your vehicle.

1

4

3

Warning: Failure to follow these

instructions can result in a loss

of vehicle stability due to tire

2

5

E176077

failure that could lead to serious injury or

death. If you are not sure about the proper

tire inflation pressures, contact an

E75442

15. Remove the jack and fully tighten the

lug nuts in the order shown. See Lug

Nuts (page 269).

authorized dealer or service center.

268

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires

Bolt size

Wheel lug nut

torque*

M12 x 1.5

100 lb.ft (135 Nm)

*Torque specifications are for nut and bolt

threads free of dirt and rust. Use only Ford

recommended replacement fasteners.

E184089

Your tires may require additional inflation

pressure for operation at speeds greater

than 100 mph (160 km/h). If this label is

present on your vehicle, you must adjust

the tire pressure accordingly.

LUG NUTS

E145950

WARNING

A

Wheel pilot bore

When a wheel is installed, always

remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign

materials present on the mounting

surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the

wheel hub, brake drum or brake disc that

contacts the wheel. Make sure that any

fasteners that attach the rotor to the hub

are secured so they do not interfere with

the mounting surfaces of the wheel.

Installing wheels without correct

Inspect the wheel pilot bore and mounting

surface prior to installation. Remove any

visible corrosion or loose particles.

metal-to-metal contact at the wheel

mounting surfaces can cause the wheel

nuts to loosen and the wheel to come off

while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in

loss of control.

Retighten the lug nuts to the specified

torque within 100 mi (160 km) after any

wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation,

changing a flat tire, wheel removal).

269

2017 Focus (CDH) Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201608, Second Printing

Wheels and Tires for Your Ford Fusion 4 Door Second Generation (2013-2020)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals