A Ford tire service represents a crucial component of the company’s comprehensive vehicle maintenance program, focusing on the critical interface between your vehicle and the road. These specialized services extend well beyond simple tire changes, encompassing a holistic approach to tire health, performance optimization, and safety considerations. Understanding the full scope of a Ford tire service can help vehicle owners maximize tire lifespan while ensuring optimal vehicle performance in all driving conditions.
Seasonal Tire Transition Services
One of the most valuable Ford tire services offered through the network is the seasonal tire transition program. This service includes the professional removal and installation of seasonal tires, with proper torque specification applied to wheel fasteners—typically between 135 and 175 Nm, depending on the vehicle model and wheel type. The Ford tire service includes inspection of tires being installed for damage, wear, and manufacturing date, ensuring only safe tires are on the vehicle.
The seasonal transition service also encompasses proper tire inflation to manufacturer-specified pressures, which vary by vehicle model and load conditions but typically range from 220 to 250 kPa for passenger vehicles. Technicians calibrate the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) when applicable, ensuring accurate pressure readings after the tire change. For vehicles equipped with indirect TPMS systems that utilize wheel speed sensors instead of dedicated pressure sensors, a system reset establishes new baseline parameters.
During winter-to-summer transitions, technicians conduct a thorough cleaning of wheel mounting surfaces to remove accumulated road salt and corrosion that could affect wheel seating and balance. This attention to detail helps prevent vibration issues and ensures proper wheel retention.
Comprehensive Tire Health Assessment
A Ford tire service includes a multi-point inspection protocol that evaluates numerous aspects of tire condition. Tread depth is measured at multiple points across each tire using precision gauges that quantify the remaining tread to the nearest 0.1 mm. Current safety standards recommend replacement when tread depth reaches 3.2mm for winter tires and 1.6mm for summer and all-season tires, though Ford technicians often recommend earlier replacement to maintain optimal performance.
The inspection includes sidewall assessment for damage or aging indicators such as cracking or discoloration. Technicians also evaluate wear patterns to identify potential alignment issues, with irregular wear often indicating specific suspension or alignment problems that require attention. For instance, feathering along tire edges typically suggests toe misalignment, while center wear indicates overinflation.
A critical component of the assessment is verifying the manufacturing date, as rubber compounds deteriorate over time, regardless of tread condition. Ford recommends tire replacement after 6 years, regardless of wear, as chemical degradation can compromise the structural integrity and performance characteristics of even tires with adequate remaining tread.
Advanced Balance and Alignment Services
The Ford tire service centers utilize high-precision computerized balancing equipment capable of detecting imbalances as small as 2 grams. This precision significantly exceeds the industry standard of 5-10 grams, helping to eliminate even subtle vibrations that could affect ride comfort and component longevity.
For vehicles experiencing persistent vibration issues, Ford offers road force balancing technology that simulates actual driving conditions by applying up to 635 kg of pressure to the tire during the balancing process. This advanced technique identifies force variations within the tire structure that standard balancing procedures cannot detect, allowing for optimal matching of tire low spots with wheel high spots to create a smoother-running assembly.
Alignment services complement tire maintenance with precision adjustments to camber, caster, and toe settings according to vehicle-specific specifications. Ford alignment equipment utilizes reference targets with an accuracy of 0.01 degrees, ensuring precise adjustments that maximize tire life and optimize handling characteristics. For performance-oriented vehicles like the Mustang or certain F-150 models, specialized alignment profiles are available that optimize handling characteristics for specific driving conditions.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Services
Ford tire service includes comprehensive support for the vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which has been standard equipment on all models since 2007. Services include sensor testing to verify proper operation, battery life assessment for direct TPMS sensors, and replacement when necessary.
For vehicles with direct TPMS that uses pressure sensors within each wheel, service includes sensor programming when new sensors are installed. This process requires specialized equipment that communicates with the vehicle’s TPMS module to register new sensor IDs. Ford technicians perform the specific relearn procedures required for different vehicle platforms, which may involve driving the vehicle through a prescribed pattern or using activation tools to trigger sensor response.
It also includes comprehensive system diagnostics when warning lights or messages appear, with specialized testing equipment that can identify specific faults within the system. This diagnostic capability extends beyond simple pressure verification to include communications failures, sensor malfunctions, and module issues that might affect system reliability.
Mobile Ford Tire Service and Emergency Assistance
For customers facing tire emergencies or those who prefer the convenience of service at their location, many Ford tire service centers offer mobile help. This program brings professional tire service directly to the customer’s location, offering capabilities that include tire replacement, repair, seasonal changes, and certain alignment checks using portable equipment.
The mobile service vehicles have specialized mounting and balancing equipment designed for field operation, capable of servicing wheels up to 22 inches in diameter. Technicians carry an inventory of commonly required tires and can often provide same-day service for standard applications. The service includes proper torque application and TPMS relearn procedures performed to the same standards as in-shop service.
5 Things Most People Don’t Know About Ford Tire Services
• Ford tire service balancing equipment uses laser-guided placement technology that achieves weight placement accuracy within 1.5mm, reducing the amount of balancing weight needed by up to 30% compared to conventional systems
• Ford determines tire pressure specifications through extensive testing that optimizes 17 performance parameters, including fuel efficiency, noise, and handling.
• The nitrogen inflation option available at Ford service centers can reduce pressure fluctuation by up to 60% compared to compressed air due to nitrogen’s larger molecule size and reduced moisture content
• Ford technicians rotate tires using model-specific patterns that can be asymmetric, applying different rotations to each corner based on drivetrain and weight distribution.
• The TPMS sensors in most Ford vehicles can detect and compensate for altitude changes, automatically adjusting threshold warnings to account for the 3% pressure change that occurs with every 300 metres of elevation gain
Common Questions About Ford Tire Service
How often should tires be rotated on Ford vehicles?
Every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres for most vehicles. However, vehicles with performance packages or specialized setups, such as the Raptor, may have different intervals, typically every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres, due to more aggressive tire wear patterns.
Are aftermarket tires compatible with the Ford TPMS system?
Yes, aftermarket tires are compatible with the system, but the sensors themselves must be Ford-compatible. When installing new tires, ensure the existing sensors transfer correctly or that new sensors are properly programmed to communicate with the vehicle’s system.
How long do TPMS sensors typically last?
Sensor batteries typically last 5-7 years or approximately 100,000 kilometres. When batteries fail, the entire sensor usually requires replacement. Some newer models utilize sensors with replaceable batteries, although specialized equipment is still needed for service.
Can winter tires be used year-round?
While technically possible, Ford does not recommend using winter tires year-round. The softer rubber compounds wear significantly faster in temperatures above 7°C, and handling characteristics are compromised during warm weather. The typical winter tire will wear three times faster than all-season alternatives in summer conditions.
How does the Ford tire pressure monitoring system work?
There are two types of TPMS: direct systems, which use pressure sensors inside each wheel to measure actual pressure, and indirect systems, which analyze wheel rotation speeds through the ABS sensors to detect pressure changes. Most current models use direct systems for greater accuracy.
What causes the TPMS light to illuminate temporarily and then turn off?
Temporary illumination often occurs during significant temperature drops, typically overnight, as tire pressure decreases approximately 1 psi for every 5.5°C temperature reduction. As tires warm during driving, pressure increases, and the light turns off. Persistent illumination indicates a genuine pressure issue requiring attention.
Are run-flat tires available for Ford vehicles?
Yes, run-flat tires are available for several models, including certain Mustang and Explorer variants. These tires can operate for approximately 80 kilometres at speeds up to 80 km/h after a puncture. However, they require specific TPMS calibration due to their stiffer sidewall construction.
How accurate is the TPMS system in Ford vehicles?
These systems are accurate to within ±3 kPa when properly calibrated. Indirect systems have lower precision (typically ±7 kPa) and can be affected by road surfaces and driving patterns.
What is the Ford recommendation for tire age regardless of wear?
You should replace tires that are 6 years or older, regardless of tread depth or apparent condition. Rubber compounds degrade over time due to oxidation and environmental exposure, compromising their structural integrity and performance, even when visible wear appears minimal.
How does all-wheel drive affect tire replacement requirements?
On all-wheel-drive Ford vehicles, tires should be replaced as a complete set to maintain identical rolling diameters. Differences greater than 4mm in tread depth between tires can cause drivetrain strain and potential damage to the power transfer unit or rear differential. If a single tire needs replacement due to damage, you should replace it with a tire of equivalent wear.
