Tire Maintenance

Treat your tires well and they can last longer. You can find information on changing a tire in your Owner’s Guide. See Glove Box Manuals to download a copy of your vehicle Owner’s Guide.

Tire pressure should be checked regularly using a tire pressure gauge. The maximum inflation pressure of each tire is molded into the tire sidewall as required by the U.S. government.

The operating (often called “decal”) vehicle inflation pressure is the tire pressure Ford Motor Company certifies the vehicle at and recommends owners maintain for normal use. On Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in the United States and Canada, it is found in one of the following locations:

  • Certification Decal on driver’s door
  • Tire Decal on door or door pillar
  • Tire Decal on glove box

The tire pressure information is NOT found in the Owner’s Guide, as the government requires this information to be permanently affixed to the vehicle. The tire pressure is required to be set to the decal pressure before delivery to the customer.

Here’s the proper way to adjust tire pressure:

  1. Check tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than three miles.
  2. Remove the cap from the tire valve and place the tire pressure gauge on it firmly, so you don’t hear any air leaking. Most gauges have a stick, which pops out and lists the measurement.
  3. If the pressure is low, fill the tire with an air pump (found at most service stations) by placing the end of the hose over the tire valve in the same manner as you did the gauge.
  4. Recheck the pressure with the gauge. If the tires are over-inflated, you can release air by pressing the valve inside the tire valve stem.
  5. Replace the cap when desired pressure is achieved.