Ford Escort ZX2 owners manual page 166

text version of content this owner's manual page from owners manual to the vehicle Ford Escort ZX2, year of production 1997 - 2003:

Maintenance and Specifications Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the normduetovariations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in road characteristics and climate. Traction AA A B C The traction grades, fromhighest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. 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 pressure gauge. 166

owners manual Ford Escort ZX2

owners manual Ford Escort ZX2 - year of production: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 - Ford Escort ZX2 owners manual EN