Tires Needed, Comments & Help Welcome.

[shami02]

Gentlemen,
I Just got back from my MD inspection and I need to buy rear tires to get inspected and my temp tags are running out... Now the dilemma I have called around to several places including tirerack and there aren’t any of the stock 245/55's to be found in this area. In reading the posts here and comparing the tire sizes available I have come up with two possibilities and would like any comments or alternative ideas anyone may have. I have factory width rims.
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Yokohama ADV ST 285/50 VR (10.0 tread width and 29.2 diameter)<o:p></o:p>
BFGoodrich KDW-2 ( 10.0 tread width and 29.0 diameter)<o:p></o:p>
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I need to get some tires rather quickly but would like the purchase to be an intelligent one. So please have at it I need the guidance. Thankx in advance for all of your fine opinions.

Also because each of the tires I listed above are slightly taller (about 2/3 of an inch I think) that the stock KDWS what will I need to do to keep the Speedo and other electrics happy? I have an Xcal2…..<o:p></o:p>

[wchain]

The ADVST i have seen only last about 20K and theyre not that great in the rain.

I am going to try the Falkens for my car when they wear.

245/55R18 is 28.6" in height. So in essence you're going from 28.6 to 29.2 over a span of 10,000 miles, the 285 will show 9,791 miles.

I have some new 245/55R18 KDWS in stock....

[gpfarrell]

I'd read this:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=25207

And... I'd keep your old ones. If you get a blow out and tires are still hard to find, a worn bald tire will work much better than no tire at all.

[Vortech347]

Make sure you stay damn close to the same diameter that matches the front/rear specs or your ABS will be a pain in the ass.

[mcb26]

BFGoodrich KDW-2, Been running them about a year no problems. One thing to note, I had no problem doing a burnout:burnout: with the oem's. Have yet to spin these on dry pavement.:alone:

[Marauderjack]

shami....

ABS won't act up if you use the same size on all four corners but TC will become a GREAT anti-theft device as the car won't go over 50 MPH with it on and most crooks wouldn't know to turn it off!!!???:beer: :banana:

I am running Nitto NT-555's on all four corners...255/45ZR18's at 26.97" diameter and it looks and works fine....Speedo will only be about 4 MPH fast if you cannot adjust with a tuner!!:beer:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[wchain]

Jack,
the ABS/TC are the same thing in all panthers after 1998 when they started using all speed traction control with technology from Bosch Inc. So you are correct, as long as you turn TC off all the time, you won't have any issues, or any traction control :burnout:

[mailman]

My rear tires are worn slick too and I need to replace before the Louisville trip later this month. I think I'm going to put orginal front size tires on the rear. I've got an 03 with no traction control so no problem there. Then if I decide I don't like it or want to go back to the proper 'rake', I'll move them to the front and put correct tires back on the back next month when they are available and at a reasonable price.:)

[shami02]

I guess no one has used or has an opinion on the Yokohama ADV ST 285/50 VR (10.0 tread width and 29.2 diameter)...

Who knows how to reprogram using the Xcal2 for taller tires?

[cruzer]

As of noon yesterday, there were 3 rear tires showing in the Discount Tire Co.inventory in Texas---1 in Plano, TX and 2 in the DTC warehouse in Houston--after these are gone, they are back-ordered til early April????????
Good Luck, Maury:(

[jabird56]

Posted the below thread back on 30 JUN 05. I still love these tires!

I had KDW2s loaded on all corners of my MM back in March. Had 235/50/18s put on the front and 255/55/18s put on the back. I LOVE these tires, I think they're better than the OEM KDWSs. The KDW2s are like duct tape on pavement......

[younga1]

My dealer found them same day and price matched Discount -10%.:)

[MENINBLK]

Gentlemen,
I Just got back from my MD inspection and I need to buy rear tires to get inspected and my temp tags are running out...

Go to your dealer.
They have to find the tires for you to pass inspection.
If they cannot find a suitable tire, they can tell you
what your options are for the inspection.
These options vary from state to state.

Another option is this.....
Go here -> http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/servlet/Controller/site.toolkit.advisor.ShowResul ts?vehicle=59453
Click on FIND A DEALER and enter your zip code.
You may get lucky and someone near you has a set with your name on them.

[04MRADR]

:cool: I have just over 36,000 on My Marauder and like everybody else I have a gripe about the tires. I am spoiled since I traded in a 2000 Grand Marquis with 103,000 miles on the original tires and never needed an alignment. Like everyobody else it seems I have wear on the inside tread of the fronts and wear down the middle of the rear. Went on the Tire Rack web site and found many tires for the front when I looked up 235-50-18. I see there is a new BF Goodrich 235/50 - 18 g-Force T/A KDW 2 for the front that is quoted at $ 184.00 per tire. The original g-Force T/A KDWS is on special for $ 81.00. Can it be somebody actually figured out how awful the original tires were? I could not find the new g-Force KDWS 2 for the rears however at 245/55-18. I see you are using 255/55 - 18. What's the difference between the 245 and 255? And are the KDWS 2 tires really that much better than the originals? Do you syill have the inside tread wear problem on the front, and the rear center tread problem wear with the KDWS 2?

Anybody else have any suggestions on tire size, make, or best deal to buy from?



Posted the below thread back on 30 JUN 05. I still love these tires!

I had KDW2s loaded on all corners of my MM back in March. Had 235/50/18s put on the front and 255/55/18s put on the back. I LOVE these tires, I think they're better than the OEM KDWSs. The KDW2s are like duct tape on pavement......

[MarauderMark]

Can't you find someone that will pass your car until you get em so you dont have to rush? One place gave me crap about the tints so i found someone else who passed it for me anyways.

[jabird56]

Below is an piece of a thread I entered last March.....

From my understand about tire sizing (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) the following matrix shows the tire diameter comparisons:

<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 339pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="452"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 49pt;" width="65"> <col style="width: 48pt;" span="2" width="64"> <col style="width: 50pt;" width="67"> <col style="width: 48pt;" span="2" width="64"> <tbody><tr style="height: 38.25pt;" height="51"> <td class="xl22" style="height: 38.25pt; width: 48pt;" height="51" width="64">Overall Width</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 49pt;" width="65">Aspect Ratio</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Wheel Diameter</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 50pt;" width="67">Tire Width</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Tire Diameter</td> <td class="xl22" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Tire Radius</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" align="right" height="17">235</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="0.5" align="right">50%</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="" align="right">18</td> <td class="xl25">
</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="9.2519685039370092" x:fmla="=SUM(A3/25.4)" align="right">9.25</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="27.251968503937007" x:fmla="=SUM(((E3*B3)*2)+C3)" align="right">27.25</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="13.625984251968504" x:fmla="=SUM(F3/2)" align="right">13.63</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" align="right" height="17">245</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="00.55" align="right">55%</td> <td x:num="" align="right">18</td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="9.6456692913385833" x:fmla="=SUM(A4/25.4)" align="right">9.65</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="28.610236220472444" x:fmla="=SUM(((E4*B4)*2)+C4)" align="right">28.61</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="14.305118110236222" x:fmla="=SUM(F4/2)" align="right">14.31</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" align="right" height="17">255</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="00.45" align="right">45%</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="" align="right">18</td> <td class="xl25">
</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="10.039370078740157" x:fmla="=SUM(A5/25.4)" align="right">10.04</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="27.035433070866141" x:fmla="=SUM(((E5*B5)*2)+C5)" align="right">27.04</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="13.51771653543307" x:fmla="=SUM(F5/2)" align="right">13.52</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" align="right" height="17">255</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="00.55" align="right">55%</td> <td x:num="" align="right">18</td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="10.039370078740157" x:fmla="=SUM(A6/25.4)" align="right">10.04</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="29.043307086614174" x:fmla="=SUM(((E6*B6)*2)+C6)" align="right">29.04</td> <td class="xl23" x:num="14.521653543307087" x:fmla="=SUM(F6/2)" align="right">14.52</td> </tr></tbody> </table>
So going from a 245/55/18 to a 255/55/18 widens your rear tire by .39 of an inch and enlarges your tire diameter by .43 of an inch or a radius of .21 of and inch.
If my math is bad, somebody let me know.

[Marauderjack]

Hey Wes.....

Are you saying that turning off the TC also disables the ABS....I think not??:confused:

I wish I could disable the ABS as what I've heard it extends your stopping distance quite a bit on slick roads but you go straight......INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!:argue: :mad2:

Marauderjack:censor:

[wchain]

Hey Wes.....

Are you saying that turning off the TC also disables the ABS....I think not??:confused:

I wish I could disable the ABS as what I've heard it extends your stopping distance quite a bit on slick roads but you go straight......INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!:argue: :mad2:

Marauderjack:censor:
No, read my post. ABS and T/C are controlled by the same brain. All panthers in 1998+, when equipped got all speed traction control instead of low speed T/C. Disabling traction control turns off the traction control function, but ABS is still active. I think people were getting confused because they were under the idea that ABS/TC were seprate modules/brains. When All speed traction contol detects slippage, it will apply brakes to the rear wheel that it senses slippage. If slippage continues, the ABS computer will tell the PCM to start cutting fuel. This is why you see some cars that have had the tires rotated, and the car wont go over 40 MPH and then it dies out. Because the car will cut fuel due to the extreme 'slippage' that its detecting.

AS far as disabling ABS, pull the relay. You won't be enjoying increased stopping distances on dry pavement, but it may be differeint in the wet. I have pulled the relay on the explorer and it stops normal on dry pavement.

[MENINBLK]

You guys can put any size tire on your car as you wish.
You can correct the speedo for smaller or larger tires, but you can't correct the speedo for SAME SIZE tires.

To be correct in tire sizes, the rear tires have to be 5% LARGER than the front tires.
If it is less than 5%, you will have Traction Control problems.

and Marauderjack,

The whole idea of ABS is so that you can steer around the car in front of you,
INSTEAD OF PLOWING INTO HIM !!! DOH !!

[04MRADR]

Do I assume you have the P235/50/18 T/A KDW 2 in the front? How are front and rears wearing? Any better than the originals? How many miles did you get on originals?

[04MRADR]

How the new KDW 2 tires for wear?

[Marauderjack]

Thanks Wes....

GREAT explanation!!!:beer:

Now I wish someone could determine how to "Default" the TC to "OFF" like in the Mustangs??:beer:

I tried this with my DiabloSport tuner.....It has the function but the instrument panel looked like a Xmas tree....I didn't even try to drive it for fear something would screw up for good!!:argue:

I just remember to turn off the TC after I turn my lights on.....I'm getting better at it!!:rolleyes:

I have a pair of widened wheels coming and will go with the 295 Nittos out back so the height differential will be back to normal....Hope to have them by the end of March!!:banana:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[Hotraudmerc]

I am in need of tires too. After checking around I decided to call the Mercury Dealer I bought the car from. The rear tires were 139.00 each and it will be a 3-5 day wait to get them. These are the BFG KDW 245/55/18s. Since my front tires are still in great shape I plan to just get the rear for now until I need all 4 tires.

[tomd]

I just got a flat on one of my front tires, turns out they both were splitting on the inside! I pushed them to 29,000 miles NOT knowing about the splitting that was happing where you couldn’t see it! If it had been a blow out doing 70 miles hour, the stress would of pop the other front one, that’s how bad the front tires were. The part of the tires I could see were worn but not that bad, be careful if you pushing these tires, check the inside to make sure it’s not really worn down or starting to split.

As far as the rear ones go they will be back on the assembly line the end of April. The manger at Just Tires told me this, and if you look at Tire Rack they say available end of April 2006 also.

Just Tires didn’t have the front one in stock for me so he made a couple of phone calls, the second company had the front tire ($136.00 Just Tire! tire rack $81.00) and lots back ones ($151.00 Just Tire, tire rack $135.00). He told me some companies like to stockpile tires and that’s why they had plenty of front and back ones.:down:

I forgot to mention for you people with a full size spare make sure you can get your forearm between the tire and the top of the trunk to unscrew it! It is very tight spot for me and I don't have large forearms! If it’s a tight space for you also consider trying to loosen the nut now with something before you need that spare!

[scarymerc]

i'm a ford tech. and i recently aligned my car . found the it was locked down at the factory with excessive camber. this is what cause our wear on the inside of our tires . i would suggest a trip to the align shop after you get you new tire . oh my car has 30k and needs all 4 tires.