Ford Escape: Damage - Tire care - Tires, Wheels and Loading - Ford Escape Owner's ManualFord Escape: Damage

Periodically inspect the tire treads and sidewalls for damage (such as bulges in the tread or sidewalls, cracks in the tread groove and 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.

Tires degrade over time depending on many factors such as WARNING: Age Tires degrade over time depending on many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, etc.) 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 wear
    When the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch (2 mm), tires must be replaced to help prevent your vehicle from skidding and hydroplaning. Built-in treadwear indicators, or “wear bars”, whi ...

    U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
    Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental characte ...

    See also:

    Tachometer
    Tachometer The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute. CAUTION: Never drive with the engine speed indicator in the red zone or severe engine damage can result. ...

    Tire ratings
    Speed ratings The speed ratings in the table translate as follow: Load ratings See page 292 for an explanation of the load rating on the sidewall of the tire. ...

    Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
    Metric English This gauge measures the temperature of the vehicle's engine. If the indicator needle moves to the hot side of the gauge toward the colored line, the engine is too hot. If ...