What's with "unique tire requirements??"

[NWwoman]

I'm looking for winter tires for my 2000 Limited AWD. Need help with a few questions, please.

** Went to discount tires online and it says "The vehicle you selected 2000 FORD EXPLORER has unique tire and wheel requirements that need specialized attention." Second time I've run into this. What's up with this??

**My stock tires are P255 / 70 R 16. But I noticed the tires on it are Uniroyal Laredo cross country P245 / 75 R 16 109s M+S. They've got good tread left but news is reporting heavy snow for this winter. (1) Any idea why someone would change the tires to 45/75? (inexperienced with tires obviously) (2) I just found on Craigslist: 4 Winterforce studded snow tires ran 1 season lightly. 245/75-16 very good condition.$275 Sounds good but what should I ask to be sure I get what I need (particularly since I have unique tire requirements!

Thanks for the help!

 

[RockcrawlerEX]

It's just discount tires retarded way to get you to go into the store. It does it for every vehicle I've tried with it. (my ex, my starion, etc)

 

[Dan Whitaker]

It's all due to the Firestone fiasco. Most all major tire chain stores will only sell the factor recommended tire size and design for Explorers.

Put in JEEP and you can buy any tire you want.

 

[NWwoman]

Ahhh, I wondered about that.

Soooooo, thinking about these non-stock sized tires I just found on Craigslist: 4 Winterforce studded snow tires ran 1 season lightly. 245/75-16 very good condition.$275

These aren't stock. Any reason I need to stay with stock specs of 255/70/16? Ad sounds good but what should I ask to be sure I get what I need (particularly since I have unique tire requirements!

 

[techieman33]

The only unique requirements you have are the AWD system. And even that doesn't care what size the tires are as long as they are all the same.

 

[2TimingTom]

And narrower is better for winter tires. Go with those that you found. Sounds like a good deal.

 

[swetrid]

It's all due to the Firestone fiasco. Most all major tire chain stores will only sell the factor recommended tire size and design for Explorers.

Put in JEEP and you can buy any tire you want.

This is the reason!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yep. If you want to browse, go to belletire.com as their pricing is about the same as Discount anyway, to give you an idea of pricing. Use a 48180 zip code.

 

[corkey]

just match what is on there as it seems to work for you now.

unique tire requirements is their way of saying this is going to get expensive,,

 

[NWwoman]

Thanks folks. Went to get those tires this morning and bam, they've been sold. Pooh.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

If you want to see what the tire size numbers mean, go to Tirerack.com and search by tire size.

At the bottom of the individual brand selections there is a window for more tire information and a button for 'Spes'

This will bring up a table for all the sizes of that model of tire from that manufacturer.

There, you can compare tread width, tread depth, rim width recommendations, overall diameter and revolutions per mile.

That 245-75-16 is taller and narrower than the 255-70-16.

If you search by tire size on most tire store web sites, you should see the price (except Les Schwabb).

 

[NWwoman]

I see what you mean at TireRack. Question: On the 2000 Explorer Limited AWD V8 -- does taller and narrower increase roll-over potential?

 

[squireofgothos]

Winter tires

I agree. Match what is already on the car. The "Special Tire Requirements" are purely due to the Firestone fiasco. If they put anything on but the size on the door placard, they put themselves at risk of lawsuit if there is a blowout. 245/75 R16 will work fine.

 

[NWwoman]

Does that risk of lawsuit apply to any tire shop that I bring tires to? In other words, if I bring non-stock tires to a tire shop to put on my wheels, will they refuse because of fear of lawsuit? Have any experience with that?

 

[squireofgothos]

That depends on the tire shop. Some will go ahead and do it for carry-in tires. Others won't. Some may have you sign a waiver stating that you brought in your own tires, eliminating thier liability for anything other than the mounting and balancing. You shouldn't have much trouble.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yep- some will, most won't...

 

[Dan Whitaker]

A few years ago I had Firestone put 31x10.50x15 on my Mountaineer and they didn't say a thing. They weren't Firestone tires but I bought them from Firestone.

 

[SoNic67]

That was a Mercury Montaineer, not a Ford Explorer.... In legalese, that matters.

 

[safn1949]

Discount tire here told me they can't mount 31's for me,company policy but they will sell anything to me.My shop guy then said he couldn't care less,he would mount them.

 

[pcsaav]

You can always pull your old wheels and tires off your explorer and take them into Discount tires. They'll mount what ever size tire you want if you don't have a vehicle. Atleast that's what the sales guy suggested to me when I called about putting a larger tire on my '99 AWD.