Wheels and Tires: Service Precautions
Tire and Wheel Service Warnings
WARNING: Replacement wheels must be equivalent to the original equipment wheels in:
- load carrying capacity.
- diameter, width and offset.
- pilot hole and bolt circle.
Combined load carrying capacity of replacement wheels for a given axle, must be equal to or greater than that axle's GAWR identified on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification label. All other specifications should be evaluated by measurement of both the original wheel and the replacement wheel. If specifications are not equivalent, the safety and handling of the vehicle may be degraded, which may result in serious injury to the vehicle occupant(s).
WARNING:
- Never inflate a tire that has been run flat without first removing the tire from the wheel to inspect for damage. A damaged tire can fail during inflation. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
- Do not hit the wheel or tire with a metallic hammer. This action may damage the wheel or tire, resulting in tire or wheel failure. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury to the technician or vehicle occupant(s).
- When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material present on the mounting surface of the wheel and the mounting surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or brake disc. 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. Failure to follow these instructions when installing wheels may result in the wheel nuts loosening and the wheel coming off while the vehicle is in motion, which could result in loss of control, leading to serious injury or death to vehicle occupant(s).
- Inflating tires to pressures that exceed maximum tire inflation rating on tire sidewall may result in tire failure and serious personal injury to the technician or vehicle occupant(s).
- Only use replacement tires 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 recommended tire and wheel size may be found on either the Safety Compliance Certification Label or the Tire Label, which is located on the B-pillar or edge of the driver's door. If the information is not found on these labels, consult a Ford dealer. Use of any tire or wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance of the vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use of nonrecommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure.
- Do not mount tube-type tires on tubeless wheels or tubeless tires on tube-type wheels. Incorrect combinations could result in tire separation from wheel and may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
- Cracked wheels can be dangerous. Deflate tires on cracked wheels prior to removal of wheels from the vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
- Retighten wheel nuts within 160.9 km (100 mi) after a wheel is reinstalled. Wheels can loosen after initial tightening. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
- Retighten wheel nuts within 160.9 km (100 mi) after a wheel is reinstalled. For dual rear wheel DRW only, a second retightening is required within 804.5 km (500 mi). Wheels can loosen after initial tightening. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
- Always match the tire size to the wheel size during assembly. Incorrect matching can result in tire bead damage or tire separation from the wheel. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury to technician or vehicle occupant(s).
- Keep eyes away from valve stem when deflating tires. Reduce air pressure in tire as much as possible by pushing in valve core plunger prior to removing the core. Escaping air can carry particles that can injure the eyes. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
- Never use wheels different than the original equipment. Additionally, never use wheel nuts different than the original equipment. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the wheel or mounting system. This damage could cause the wheel to come off while the vehicle is being driven, which could result in serious personal injury or death to vehicle occupant(s).
- Do not weld or peen wheels. A wheel needing such repairs must have a new wheel installed. Failure to follow these instructions may result in wheel failure and serious personal injury.
- The TPMS sensor battery may release hazardous chemicals if exposed to extreme mechanical damage. If these chemicals contact the skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention. If any part of the battery is swallowed, contact a physician immediately. When disposing of TPMS sensors, follow the correct procedures for hazardous material disposal. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.