1996 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual - Page 366

Replacing the Tires Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16 inch (2 mm) of tread left. A worn-out tire Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire tread. Some spots wear more heavily than others. Your wheels and tires are match-mounted for improved ride. Before you begin to repair a tire, mark the wheel and tire so that they are properly aligned when remounted. This will ensure that the tires will continue to give you the same ride level. RWARNING When replacing full size tires, never mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your vehicle may not drive properly and safely. 366