Tires and wheels (Mondeo 3)

The tyres make a very significant contribution to the good handling characteristics of the car and thus to the active safety of your Mondeo: the carcass, mixed rubber, silicone additives and computer-calculated tyre profile make the tyres a high-tech product. The postcard-sized contact surfaces on each of the four wheels carry your Mondeo without changing the road surface, absorbing all the small "impacts" of the road surface and in turn transmitting all the driving, braking and centrifugal forces. With an average load, the radial tyres on your Mondeo can last approximately 30,000–50,000 km on the front wheels and approximately 40,000–70,000 km on the rear axle. Of course, if your Mondeo is mainly driven at sprint distances, then the tyres – regardless of the remaining tread depth – will need to be replaced after seven to eight years at the latest. During this period, dirt, environmental influences, internal ageing processes and, last but not least, the sun affect the tyres so much that they can no longer perform their job reliably and reliably. Here you can trust a new-looking "used" spare wheel, but the restored appearance is only a façade behind which "dangerous age" is hidden.

Wheels for Mondeo – from the factory in two versions

Ford equips all its Mondeos with two types of wheels: depending on the design and model, steel wheels (6 1/2J x 16") or light metal wheels (6 1/2J x 17", 6 1/2J x 18") are used. The table shows the sizes that Ford provides for various models at the factory or as special equipment. Which wheels and tires are generally suitable for your Mondeo is specified in the vehicle registration document. In addition, if you want to give your Mondeo a different "sole", you must in any case obtain a General Operating Approval (ABE) for the approved products with the corresponding control number. If your "desired format" is not specified in the vehicle documents, it is best to inquire with Ford or a TÜV-/DEKRA representative about their suitability before installing it. Tires and wheels that were not specified in the documents at the factory must be entered in the vehicle registration document (letter or certificate) based on the conclusion TÜV/DEKRA.

Tires and wheels

Disks

Model	Serial equipment	As desired
Mondeo Ambiente	6 1/2J x 16 steel	6 1/2J x 16 7 1/2J x 17 Light Metal
Mondeo Trend	6 1/2J x 16 steel	6 1/2J x 16 7 1/2J x 17 Light Metal
Mondeo Ghia	6 1/2J x 16 steel	6 1/2J x 16 7 1/2J x 17 Light Metal
Mondeo ST220	7 1/2J x 17 Light Metal

Tires

Model	Serial equipment	As desired
Mondeo Ambiente	205/55 R 16	205/50 R 17 225/40 R 18
Mondeo Trend	205/55 R 16	205/50 R 17 225/40 R 18
Mondeo Ghia	205/55 R 16	205/50 R 17 225/40 R 18
Mondeo ST220	215/45 R 17

TECHNICAL DICTIONARY

Disks According to the standards, the dimensions of the disks are specified in inches. For example, the designation 6 1/2J x 16" indicates that the deep disk has a width of 6.5 inches and a diameter of 16 inches. The letter "J" determines the shape of the sidewall: in order for the tires to sit better, there is a rounded elevation (hump) on the landing shelf of the disk. It prevents the tire sidewall from "sliding" from the landing shelf into the deep disk when driving fast on a bend.

The most important parameters of the tire

A series of numbers and letters are engraved on the sidewall of the tire, which are a coded "business card" for specialists. Most drivers are primarily interested in the tire format. For example, 205/55 R 16 means that this section of the tire is 205 mm wide. The second number determines the ratio of the height and width of the tire. In this example, this ratio is 55%. The smaller this ratio, the lower and wider the tire. The letter "R" determines the type of radial tire, the number after this letter (16) specifies the rim diameter in inches.

The multi-layered inner life of a car tire

1 - protectors: the profile and composition of the mixture affect the quality, 2 - Base: reduces rolling resistance, 3 - Nylon inflation band: improves high speed suitability, 4 - Steel cord layer: improves driving stability, 5 - Carcass: the basis for maintaining the shape and strength of the tire,	6 - Inner core: a sealed inner layer replaces the bladder, 7 - Side part: protects the frame from damage, 8 - Filler cord: maintains precision control and movement, 9 - Core: ensures a secure fit on the rim, 10 - Bead reinforcement: for precise handling and high driving stability.

"Business card": tire characteristics on the sidewall.



When purchasing a tire, pay attention to the specification so that the new tires are matched to the rims.

A synonym for high speeds is a capital letter after the last digit

The capital letter after the last digit of the tire designation on its sidewall indicates the maximum permissible rotation speed of the tire. Tires 205/55 R 16 with the code letter "S" are designed for a maximum speed of 180 km/h, with the letter "T" accordingly up to 190 km/h. Tires with the letter "H" are suitable for a maximum of 210 km/h. Standard M S tires with the letter "Q" "work" up to 160 km/h.

The DOT number indicates the age of the tire

The actual date of manufacture of the tire is indicated by the "DOT" number located on the sidewall of the tire. Beginning in 1990, a small triangle was placed behind this number. For example, the number 1500 means that this tire was manufactured in the 15th week of 2000. New tires with a manufacturing date from October 1, 1998 must have an ECE inspection code on their sidewall.

If there is no triangle, the tire was manufactured before 1990. Any inspection code guarantees that the tire meets the quality standard of the European Economic Commission (ECE-R 30) for its type. If your car has tires with a DOT number higher than 408 – but without the ECE quality mark – you can drive without a general working permit.

The quality mark is recognized by the capital letter "E" and the number of the country of manufacture, for example, "1" – Germany, "4" – Holland.

Winter tires – professionals in wind and bad weather

Even on autumn roads, winter tyres on your Mondeo are the undisputed first choice, because on snowy or icy surfaces, winter tyres behave incomparably more reliably. Why, exactly? Their supporting surfaces consist of a rubber compound with a high proportion of natural rubber. This special rubber compound has better adhesion on wet and slippery roads and at temperatures below seven degrees C than standard summer tyres. The main condition for good transmission of braking and engine forces to the road is a tread pattern of at least four millimetres deep – a smaller depth is not permitted, thereby excluding such a tyre for use on winter roads. Winter tyres from one manufacturer should be fitted to all four wheels in any case – a combination of summer and winter tyres can be quite dangerous.

It is better to install winter tires on your own disks

Good winter tyres don"t have to be wide: the smallest tyre format is enough for your Mondeo. Narrow tyres are also cheaper than luxurious wide tyres: the money saved on wide pneumatic tyres is better spent on a second set of suitable rims – changing the tyres in spring and autumn becomes more expensive over time than this second set of rims. Wheel balancing should usually be done after each fitting. Increase the pressure in winter tyres by 0.2 bar compared to summer tyres. If the maximum speed of your winter tyres is lower than your car"s normal driving speed, stick a sticker on the dashboard in your field of vision as a reminder. Your tyre dealer will have such a sticker in stock. However, friendly tyre dealers or service workers can expertly inflate your tyres until the next replacement for a small fee.

Comparison of braking distances of summer and winter tires without ABS.

Comparison of braking distances of summer and winter tires with ABS.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

This will save your tires Drive at the maximum speed permitted by your tires. This applies especially to M S tires of category "Q" (160 km/h). Higher speeds cause greater wear, in the worst case - a tire blowout. Avoid maximum speeds if the car is heavily loaded. Check their heating: if the tire is warm, there is no need to worry. Very hot rubber is an alarm signal: most often the cause is low tire pressure or a damaged tire frame. In this situation, do not dare to continue driving with such a tire, at least not for long, until a tire specialist checks the frame for possible damage. If you frequently drive on the motorway at high speed: fit tyres with a speed rating one class higher than that specified in the vehicle registration document (e.g. "T" instead of "S"). Be careful that the curb does not scratch the edges of the tires when parking. Drive over the curb or threshold only slowly at a right angle. Increase the air pressure in your tires by a total of 0.3 bar - this will save fuel and will not damage your tires. How to change wheels correctly If you use a restored spare wheel when changing your tires for the first time, you will save some "cash". But on one condition: this product must have the same profile. In this case, buy tires for it and fit them to the entire axle. However, you can also increase the mileage of your tires: regularly replace the front wheels with the rear ones on one side of the car, but never crosswise, i.e. opposite ones. Then your tires will wear more evenly, and at the next resale you will present your car with "fresh" soles. The disadvantage of this approach: when changing at short kilometer intervals, possible defects in the wheel suspensions, steering mechanism and shock absorbers may not be as clearly visible on the tire treads. When changing tires, always pay attention in general to the fact that the axles are equipped in pairs with tires of the same manufacturer, the same tread pattern and approximately the same date of manufacture (/- 1 year).