Tire size - search not quite giving me what I want

[gdsqdcr]

I need new rear tires ... Okay so I have had some fun. Been searching for a little while and reading alot of posts here. Question I have is what is the biggest tire I can put on the rear WITHOUT widening the rear rims or throwing off the traction control?

I see some folks have 285/45/18's on the rear, but does it throw traction control off? The sig states the rims are not widened.

Another part, what happens if I blow a tire and put a full size spare on the rear? It seems to me that will completely mess up the traction control. Will it?

My front tires have plenty of tread and are stock 235's. Yes, when they wear down I would like to widen them up a bit but, they got PLENTY of life left.


Thanks!
Anthony

[guccijayda]

It all depends on the exact tire model. Most 295's tires are rated for 9-10 inch rims but some are rated for 8.5inch, etc. I have hankook ventus 295/45/18's, fits fine, so does DR and a couple others on here with the same exact model. Now try to do that with nitto 555's or most other 295's... it's disaster waiting to happen. Ventus' run kinda narrower at 11.7" width for 295 while other 295 models are in the 11.9-12.2 range. They also have a softer sidewall...Still its not recommended. You sacrifice cornering and stability, and feel alotta uneasing sidewall flex for better looks and straightline performance.

[thathotrodlincn]

As far as the traction control is concerned, as long as the rear tires normally turn the same speed or slower that the front tires, the traction control will be ok. If the rears turn faster than the front, there will be problems.

[fastblackmerc]

As far as the traction control is concerned, as long as the rear tires normally turn the same speed or slower that the front tires, the traction control will be ok. If the rears turn faster than the front, there will be problems.

On a 2004 Marauder there has to be at least a 3% difference in size between the front and rear tires... ie. the rears have to be 3% bigger than the front of the TC will puke.

I've run Hankook 295/45/18 on stock width rear rims for at least two years and 15-17k miles. No problems.

I just put those same tires on widened Marauder rims. Got a 300 mile round trip coming up. Will let you know how it goes.

[LANDY]

can anyone post pics of the hankook 295/45/18 on the factory 8" rim?

[guccijayda]

here it is 295/45/18

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/4619294569_5c95b5d8e4_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/4550008990_714f947956_o.jpg

[fastblackmerc]

Don't understand why everyone needs to see "how they look on the car".

They are big, black and round... just like almost all tires!

This is what the Hankooks look like:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Tires/Hankook_RH06.jpg

On my MM:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Tires/IM000976.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Tires/IM000977.jpg

[RoyLPita]

I have over 35k on my Hankook 295/45-18s on non-widened MM wheels. I have another pair to put on when I am through with these. I have t/c but there are no issues whatsoever.

[gdsqdcr]

Thanks for all the posts. 295 hankooks look interesting.

How is the sidewall flex on those tires?

What about the spare tire concerns? How bad will it mess Traction control up if I put a full size spare on the rear?

[RoyLPita]

Thanks for all the posts. 295 hankooks look interesting.

How is the sidewall flex on those tires?

What about the spare tire concerns? How bad will it mess Traction control up if I put a full size spare on the rear?

I have no sidewall flex when I keep the tire pressures at 40lbs. As for the traction control, I have a matched height rear tire for my spare so no troubles here.

[ctrlraven]

As much as I would go would be 265/50-18. I just don't trust going that big on the stock wheel regardless if no one has an issue.

[fastblackmerc]

Thanks for all the posts. 295 hankooks look interesting.

How is the sidewall flex on those tires?

What about the spare tire concerns? How bad will it mess Traction control up if I put a full size spare on the rear?

Like RoyLPita said, no sidewall flex and I'm running mine at 36-38psi. A 2004 came with a compact spare to use in any corner of the MM. This info can be found on pages 139 & 140 in the 2004 Mercury Marauder Owners Manual

T-Type/Mini-Spare Tire Information
Your vehicle may be equipped with a T-type/mini-spare tire. This tire will
have the words "Temporary Use Only" molded into the tire sidewall. This
spare tire is considered "temporary". Replace the T-type/mini-spare with
a tire of the same size, speed rating and load carrying capacity as the
other road tires as soon as possible.
When driving with the T-type/mini-spare tire do not:

Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
Tow a trailer
Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the T-type/mini spare
tire
Use more than one T-type/mini spare tire at a time
Use commercial car washing equipment
Try to repair the T-type/mini spare tire
Use of a T-type/mini spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
[*Handling, stability and braking performance
Comfort and noise
Ground clearance and parking at curbs
Winter weather driving capability
Wet weather driving capability

Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information:
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for temporary
use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should replace it as
soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size and type as
the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by Ford. If the
dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be replaced rather
than repaired.
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel, do not:

Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
Use commercial car washing equipment
Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to impairment of the
following:
Handling, stability and braking performance
Comfort and noise
Ground clearance and parking at curbs
Winter weather driving capability
Wet weather driving capability
All-Wheel Driving Capability (if applicable)
Load Leveling Adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
Towing a trailer
Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack

Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.

So basically the temp spare is to get you to a place to repair or replace your flat tire.

[fastblackmerc]

BTW... I got my Hankooks at www.eastcoasttires.com

Good prices, fast service.

[LANDY]

thanks for the pics guys.