Ford Explorer, Maintaince And Repair Manual

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Radial tires have a characteristic sidewall bulge; don't try to measure pressure by looking at the
tire. Use a quality air pressure gauge
Click to enlarge
Common tire wear patterns and causes
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A plate or sticker is normally provided somewhere in the vehicle (door post, hood, tailgate or trunk lid) which
shows the proper pressure for the tires. Never counteract excessive pressure build−up by bleeding off air
pressure (letting some air out). This will cause the tire to run hotter and wear quicker.
CAUTION
Never exceed the maximum tire pressure embossed on the tire! This is the pressure to be used when the tire is
at maximum loading, but it is rarely the correct pressure for everyday driving. Consult the owner's manual or
the tire pressure sticker for the correct tire pressure.
Once you've maintained the correct tire pressures for several weeks, you'll be familiar with the vehicle's
braking and handling personality. Slight adjustments in tire pressures can fine−tune these characteristics, but
never change the cold pressure specification by more than 2 psi. A slightly softer tire pressure will give a
softer ride but also yield lower fuel mileage. A slightly harder tire will give crisper dry road handling but can
cause skidding on wet surfaces. Unless you're fully attuned to the vehicle, stick to the recommended inflation
pressures.
All automotive tires have built−in tread wear indicator bars that show up as
1
/
2
in. (13mm) wide smooth bands
across the tire when
1
/
16
in. (1.5mm) of tread remains. The appearance of tread wear indicators means that the
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
100 INFLATION & INSPECTION