2003 Ford Explorer Sport Owner Guide 5th Printing - Page 255

Maintenance and Specifications The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics. Temperature A B C The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. SERVICING YOUR TIRES Checking the tire pressure • Use an accurate tire gauge. • Check the pressure when the tires are cold, after the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles). • Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the Certifications Label. • Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for proper air pressure every six months. Check that the externally mounted spare tire is tight. To verify that the spare tire is tight, turn the lug wrench clockwise until the tire winch "overrides". (Note: the wrench will get harder to turn until the winch "overrides". When this happens, you will hear a click and the wrench will turn easier. This will happen repeatedly as the wrench is turned clockwise.) 255 2003 Explorer (exp) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)