2004 Mercury Sable Owner Guide 3rd Printing - Page 228

Maintenance and Specifications Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35 mph) point indicated on the speedometer. Highway hazards No matter how carefully you drive there's 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 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 tire for damage. If the 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 inspected. SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS 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, you may need to use snow tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and specifications as those originally installed. Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains: • Use only cable type chains offered by Ford as an accessory or equivalent. SAE class "S" or other conventional link type chains may cause damage to the vehicle's wheel house and/or body. • Install cable chains securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines. • Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cables. If this does not work, remove the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle. • If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle. • Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use tire cables on dry roads. • The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using snow tires and cables. 228 2004 Sable (sab) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)