2004 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 261

Maintenance and Specifications Changing tires with TPMS It is recommended that you always have your tires serviced by a dealer or qualified technician. Each road tire is equipped with a tire pressure sensor mounted on the wheel inside the tire connected to 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 Tire inflation 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: • Cables or chains should only be used on the rear wheels. • Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines. • Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage. • Avoid overloading your vehicle. • Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed. • Do not use cables or chains on dry roads. 261 REVIEW COPY: 2004 Explorer (exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002), Market: USA English (fus)