Ford Transit (2018 year). Manual — part 68

Inspecting the Tires and Wheel
Valve Stems

Periodically inspect the tire treads
for uneven or excessive wear and
remove objects, for example
stones, nails or glass that may be
wedged in the tread grooves.
Check the tire and valve stems for
holes, cracks, or cuts that may
permit air leakage and repair or
replace the tire and replace the
valve stem. Inspect the tire
sidewalls for cracking, cuts,
bruises and other signs of damage
or excessive wear. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected,
have the tire removed and
inspected in case it needs to be
repaired or replaced. For your
safety, tires that are damaged or
show signs of excessive wear
should not be used because they
are more likely to blow out or fail.

Incorrect or inadequate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to
wear abnormally. Inspect all the
tires, including the spare,
frequently, and replace them if
one or more of the following
conditions exist:

Tire Wear

E142546

When the tread is worn down to
0.08 in (2 mm), tires must be
replaced to help prevent your
vehicle from skidding and
hydroplaning. Built-in treadwear
indicators, or wear bars, which
look like narrow strips of smooth
rubber across the tread will
appear on the tire when the tread
is worn down to 0.08 in (2 mm).

When the tire tread wears down
to the same height as these wear
bars, the tire is worn out and must
be replaced.

Tire Damage

Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage, for
example bulges in the tread or
sidewalls, cracks in the tread
groove or separation in the tread
or sidewall. If damage is observed
or suspected have the tire
inspected by a tire professional.
Tires can be damaged during
off-road use, so inspection after
off-road use is also
recommended.

Tire Age

WARNINGS

Tires degrade over time
depending on many factors

such as weather, storage
conditions, and conditions of use
(load, speed, inflation pressure)
the tires experience throughout
their lives.

In general, tires should be
replaced after six years

regardless of tread wear.
However, heat caused by hot
climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the
aging process and may require
tires to be replaced more
frequently.

You should replace your
spare tire when you replace

the road tires or after six years due
to aging even if it has not been
used.

Tire Replacement
Requirements

WARNINGS

Only use replacement tires
and wheels that are the same

size, load index, speed rating and
type (such as P-metric versus
LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally
provided by Ford. The
recommended tire and wheel size
may be found on either the Safety
Compliance Certification Label
(affixed to either the door hinge

WARNINGS

pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver's seating
position), or the Tire Label which
is located on the B-Pillar or edge
of the driver's door. If this
information is not found on these
labels, then you should contact
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Use of any tire or wheel
not recommended by Ford can
affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result
in an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.

Always inflate steel carcass
tires with a remote air fill with

the person inflating standing at a
minimum of 12 ft (3.66 m) away

from the wheel and tire assembly.

Your vehicle is fitted with tires
designed to provide a safe ride
and handling capability.

We recommend that the two front
tires or two rear tires generally be
replaced as a pair.

Note: The wheel valve stems must
also be replaced when the road
tires are replaced on your vehicle.

Fitting Replacement Tires

WARNINGS

To reduce the risk of serious
injury, when mounting

replacement tires and wheels, you
should not exceed the maximum
pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire to set the beads without
additional precautions listed
below. If the beads do not seat at
the maximum pressure indicated,
re-lubricate and try again.

When inflating the tire for
mounting pressures up to

20 psi (1.38 bar) greater than the
maximum pressure on the tire
sidewall, the following
precautions must be taken to
protect the person mounting the
tire:

1. Make sure that you have the

correct tire and wheel size.

2. Lubricate the tire bead and

wheel bead seat area again.

3. Stand at a minimum of 12 ft

(3.66 m) away from the wheel
and tire assembly.

4. Use both eye and ear

protection.

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System

(If Equipped)

The use of wheels or tires not
recommended by Ford Motor
Company may affect the
operation of the tire pressure
monitoring system. If the tire
pressure monitoring system
indicator is flashing, the tire
pressure monitoring system is
malfunctioning. The replacement
tire might be incompatible with
the tire pressure monitoring
system, or a component of the tire
pressure monitoring system may
be damaged. See Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (page 281).

The tire pressure sensors mounted
in the wheels (originally installed
on your vehicle) are not designed
to be used in aftermarket wheels.

Tire Safety Practices

WARNINGS

If your vehicle is stuck in
snow, mud or sand, do not

rapidly spin the tires; spinning the
tires can tear the tire and cause
an explosion. A tire can explode in
as little as three to five seconds.

WARNINGS

Do not spin the wheels at
over 34 mph (55 km/h). The

tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.

Driving habits have a great deal to
do with your tire mileage and
safety:
•

Observe posted speed limits.

•

Avoid fast starts, stops and
turns.

•

Avoid potholes and objects on
the road.

•

Do not run over curbs or hit the
tire against a curb when
parking.

Highway Hazards

No matter how carefully you drive
there is 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 a tire or your vehicle
has been damaged, immediately
reduce your speed. Drive with
caution until you can safely pull
off the road. Stop and inspect the
tires for damage. If a tire is
under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and

replace it with the 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.

Tire and Wheel Alignment

A bad jolt from hitting a curb or
pothole can cause the front end
of your vehicle to become
misaligned or cause damage to

the tires. If your vehicle seems to
pull to one side when you are
driving, the wheels may be out of
alignment. Have an authorized
dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.

Wheel misalignment in the front
or the rear can cause uneven and
rapid treadwear of the tires and
should be corrected by an
authorized dealer. Front-wheel
drive vehicles and those with an
independent rear suspension may
require alignment of all four
wheels.

The tires should also be balanced
periodically. An unbalanced tire
and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.