Tire replacement

[Jakster]

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the P235 75R15 tires. The only tires I now see are 235 75R15 tires. I have to replace one tire out of the four, can I use a 235 to replace a P235. What I have read so far it is not recommended, anybody else run into this.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the P235 75R15 tires. The only tires I now see are 235 75R15 tires. I have to replace one tire out of the four, can I use a 235 to replace a P235. What I have read so far it is not recommended, anybody else run into this.

Hi there P235 and 235 are the same some tires just say 235 instead of P235

 

[Fix4Dirt]

they are cross compatible. P235 indicates its a passenger tire, some may say LT235/75/15. this is the reting usually correrlated with ply rating and load. however some just dont mention the P and just leave it as 235 as lee mentioned

 

[Jakster]

Hi there P235 and 235 are the same some tires just say 235 instead of P235

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Did you intend to send a message?

 

[Jakster]

Hi there P235 and 235 are the same some tires just say 235 instead of P235

They are P-metric and Euro-metric, they are the same size but have different pressure and speed ratings.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

They are P-metric and Euro-metric, they are the same size but have different pressure and speed ratings.

oh, i forgot about those, you are right! but usually i find that they are the same speed rating. at that piint theyre considered cross conpatible right?

 

[Jakster]

oh, i forgot about those, you are right! but usually i find that they are the same speed rating. at that piint theyre considered cross conpatible right?

It is recomended they be replaced in pairs or all 4. Just wondered if anybody ever just replaced one. I noticed a previous post where a store said they would no longer make tires for the models that take them. I assume this is what they were actually referring to. Belle tire has a no tire available answer for the 1999 Ford Explorer XLT and Discount Tire only offers 235 series. I did find one online, might just buy that and use my spare which is 9 years old, until it shows up in a week.

 

[XLTrunner]

The point you are overlooking is not whether the P235 and 235 are comparable...but, rather that you shouldn't be replacing just one tire on these control trac drive lines, regardless. In fact, not replacing all four tires with same size, make, style tread can lead to premature failure of your transfer case. Even then, it's not recommended to allow tread depth and tire pressures to differ more than a marginal amount among the matched set.

 

[Jakster]

The point you are overlooking is not whether the P235 and 235 are comparable...but, rather that you shouldn't be replacing just one tire on these control trac drive lines, regardless. In fact, not replacing all four tires with same size, make, style tread can lead to premature failure of your transfer case. Even then, it's not recommended to allow tread depth and tire pressures to differ more than a marginal amount among the matched set.

No problem, let me get you the cost all replacing all 4 tires and you can send a check.

 

[XLTrunner]

Take it easy, Amigo...I'm simply relaying information and you can do what you want with it.

 

[sehaare]

No problem, let me get you the cost all replacing all 4 tires and you can send a check.

He's trying to help you.

If you put one new tire on with three worn ones, then on dry pavement the speed sensor is going to show it turning at a different speed than the rest due to it having a bigger circumference. It will interpret that as a tire slipping and engage the 4WD and on dry pavement that will eventually cause more damage than replacing all 4 tires.

You'd be better off going to a junk yard to a buying 4 used tires that came off the same SUV and still have good tread on them.

This is true for just about every 4WD vehicle, and is nothing new.

 

[J_C]

^ I don't have the hard data but am doubtful that this minor size difference will cause 4WD to engage. If it did, then it would engage every time you turned more than a little, left or right, no?

Regardless I agree that if it's AWD or 4WD, the tires need to be very near the same circumference. Problem is it can be difficult to determine this on a used tire that isn't mounted and inflated. I'd consider getting one new tire, where the manufacturer specs the circumference, and have a shop shave it down to the same circumference as the rest. You might first contact the shop and discuss this with them, which tire to get to end up where it needs to be, with enough tread after shaving.

Tire Rack will do it for $25-35. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=259&
They mention "tread depth" but unless it is the exact same make and model of tire, you want to match circumference, not tread depth.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?filtering=true&width=235%2F&ratio=75&diameter=15#allTitle

 

[Fix4Dirt]

imo shouldnt make a huge difference. the AWD is the one that cares more than the A4WD ones imo

 

[Turdle]

No problem, let me get you the cost all replacing all 4 tires and you can send a check.

It's going to be less than repairing the driveline.

 

[DintDobbs]

If it's a P and not an LT, it can't possibly be more than a couple hundred to replace. Grab a pair, and a matching spare wheel, and then ditch the original steel spare with the 9-year-old tire. If you haven't been rotating it in and using it regularly, it's not road-worthy.

There's a reason it's recommended to replace in pairs, not just for the Control Trac but because uneven tread wear compromises ideal traction.

You can complain about money all you like, but pay it up front and be done with it, or risk paying for somebody else's new car and hospital bills if that ancient spare decides it doesn't like being woken up.

I always carry a matching spare and rotate all 5 (hard to find a matching spare for my Limited, but I'm trying). Is it a pain? Yes. Is it expensive? Definitely. I'd carry 2 matching spares, if I could. Basically consider a matching spare wheel and tire a part of buying the car, and routine maintenance. I considered giving up eating to afford all this for my first car, and life isn't getting any cheaper.

 

[Jason94sport]

In my experience with tire chain stores, they will not replace 1 tire if it's different. They will only do a pair & then put that pair on the rear. That's all corporate lawyer BS....

 

[CJYoung]

/If still looking by Monday 8/01 Wally world (waLmart) Has 235/75/R15 for $80 plus tax

 

[Jakster]

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the P235 75R15 tires. The only tires I now see are 235 75R15 tires. I have to replace one tire out of the four, can I use a 235 to replace a P235. What I have read so far it is not recommended, anybody else run into this.

Issue resolved update: So I put my spare on, had no problems with 4wd kicking in, do not get much wear on my tires and I am pretty sure they design them with tire wear in mind. I had the start of dry rot with the Tire, went into Discount Tire for a rotate and balance and they found it, assume they would damage it. I called them on the P series and we went over all the specs and they were basically the same except it had a 109 top speed instead of 108. I use the Michelin Defender LTX 235 75R15 109T XL, which I recommend for anybody replacing a P series tire.

 

[Jakster]

Issue resolved update: So I put my spare on, had no problems with 4wd kicking in, do not get much wear on my tires and I am pretty sure they design them with tire wear in mind. I had the start of dry rot with the Tire, went into Discount Tire for a rotate and balance and they found it, assume they would damage it. I called them on the P series and we went over all the specs and they were basically the same except it had a 109 top speed instead of 108. I use the Michelin Defender LTX 235 75R15 109T XL, which I recommend for anybody replacing a P series tire.

I should mention I have the Michelin P series tires already on it.