TIRES TIRES TIRES

[Monkeyporn]

Hey boys and girls I'm needing new tires and having trouble making a decision sos I'm turning to you my Mustang family for help. My GT is a spirited grocery getter. Right now I'm running 18" rims they are 18x9 in the front and 18x9.5 in the rear. I wanted 18x10 but they weren't offered. My top concerned are grip wet/dry a comfortable ride and quite can't stand road noise. If anyone has suggestions on a tire size that will help me fill the wheel well that would be wonderful. I'm on Ford Lowering springs my currant tires are 255/55ZR18 in the front they don't seem to fill the space I need something else just not sure what so help would be good. Likewise I'm running 285/40ZR18 in the rear and I'd like a little more poke but don't known if I can go any wider on a 9.5 rim so help again would be great.

 

[redfirepearlgt]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.......I think this has been covered as frequently as which axle back and which tune.

 

[Gladams]

Continental extreme contact DWS 06. Just my thoughts and what I use. 245/45x19. Thanks.

 

[stkjock]

PS4 between the two

 

[AHaze]

I assume 255/55 up front is a typo and you actually have 255/45s? These cars have huge fender openings so stock height tires don't really fill them up unless the car rides extremely low. A 245/50 front, 275/45 rear setup would be a bit taller than what you have now and likely ride better. Unfortunately you loose some width and 255/50 and 285/45 are weird sizes. I wouldn't suggest going any wider than your current 285s on a 9.5" wide wheel.

 

[Monkeyporn]

I assume 255/55 up front is a typo and you actually have 255/45s? These cars have huge fender openings so stock height tires don't really fill them up unless the car rides extremely low. A 245/50 front, 275/45 rear setup would be a bit taller than what you have now and likely ride better. Unfortunately you loose some width and 255/50 and 285/45 are weird sizes. I wouldn't suggest going any wider than your current 285s on a 9.5" wide wheel.

I want to thank you for taking the time to go so in depth with your response. Likewise yes there were some typos in my post. My tires are a 255/45ZR18 up front and a 285/40ZR18 in the rear. You sure I couldn't push the rear to like a 295 ? So if I understand you a taller sidewall provides a better ride....Yes ? so no 35s huh ?

 

[Monkeyporn]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.......I think this has been covered as frequently as which axle back and which tune.

I'm sorry I did a search for this information and nothing came up so maybe if people reposting is an issue the search functions needs addressing.

 

[AHaze]

I want to thank you for taking the time to go so in depth with your response. Likewise yes there were some typos in my post. My tires are a 255/45ZR18 up front and a 285/40ZR18 in the rear. You sure I couldn't push the rear to like a 295 ? So if I understand you a taller sidewall provides a better ride....Yes ? so no 35s huh ?

Every tire has a list of specs available from the manufacturer that include the minimum recommended wheel width. You certainly could squeeze a 295 onto a 9.5" wheel. I just wouldn't do it myself and therefore won't recommended it.
Generally, a taller sidewall will smooth out the ride at the expense of turn in response. Of course, it's entirely possible that a 275/40 touring tire will ride smoother than a 275/45 Ultra high performance tire.

 

[DieHarder]

Might want to spend some time doing "what if's" for rim/tire sizes on this site. Could help you make an informed decision.... provides all specs; tire/rim and alternate size recommendations.

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

 

[Monkeyporn]

Might want to spend some time doing "what if's" for rim/tire sizes on this site. Could help you make an informed decision.... provides all specs; tire/rim and alternate size recommendations.

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

I want to thank you for this tool it has been very helpful in my decision making. I'm leaning towards a 275/35ZR19 on the front and a 305/35ZR19 in the rear. Please give me your opinion on this set up.

 

[Pentalab]

I want to thank you for this tool it has been very helpful in my decision making. I'm leaning towards a 275/35ZR19 on the front and a 305/35ZR19 in the rear. Please give me your opinion on this set up.

I have a 305-35-19 on the rears, on 19 x 10" rims.....and it's a totally wasted effort. I end up with exactly 1/8" more tread on the ground vs a 285-40-18....on 18x10" rims. ( I use 285-40-18"s on 18x10 rims on my fronts). When the rims are not wide enough, what happens is the edges of the tread roll up, and don't make contact with the ground, even with 1000 lbs front / 900 lbs rear weight sitting on em.

285 mm tires need to be on a bare minimum 10" wide rim, and preferably 10.5" wide.
305 mm tires need to be on an 11" wide rim.

I also tried 275-40-18"s on 18 x 10" wide rims ( stretched 1/2"). These work superb on the front.
I also tried 255-45-18"s on 18x 9" wide rims on the front ( stretched 1/2"), these too worked superb for handling.

On a side note, my 285-40-18's on 18x10" rims have exactly 1/4" more tread on the ground...vs 275-40-18" on the same 18x10" wide rims.

If I had to do it all over again, I woulda used 275-40-18's....or 285-40-18" on ALL 4 x corners, with 18x10" wide rims.....and called it a day. Then u get to rotate front to back (and also side to side with MPXX brand ties).

Unless you are laying on the ground, you can't see the staggered look anyway. You can't rotate front to back with any staggered setup. Too much stagger, and the car will understeer. To make these cars handle right, you want a lot of width on the front.

 

[DieHarder]

I want to thank you for this tool it has been very helpful in my decision making. I'm leaning towards a 275/35ZR19 on the front and a 305/35ZR19 in the rear. Please give me your opinion on this set up.

Highly recommend you consider using the same size rim/tire combo on all 4 corners. As Pentalab points out you're able to rotate to account for wear and you don't have to worry about other issues that arise with a staggered setup. Only additional recommendation I'd make is employ a taller tire combination using 18's/19's vs 20's. I use 255/45/19's which ride very well on my suspension setup (Roush springs/Bilstein struts/shocks). In my experience shorter tires tend to ride rougher and beat suspension components more. Taller tires ride better and are easier on a given suspension setup. Absent that I'd shoot for about 4" of sidewall. Just my 2 cents. The combo you have will certainly work though if your rims are the same size I'd consider the 275's all around and be done with it. BTW, you will find that the 19's do a good job of filling the wheel well and look good doing it.

View media item 8397

 

[Whpony96]

I use Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06+ on all 3 of my Mustangs. Once you own a set you will understand why. Truly a tire that transforms the way the Mustang handles on Dry, Wet and Snow.

 

[JimC]

I use Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06+ on all 3 of my Mustangs. Once you own a set you will understand why. Truly a tire that transforms the way the Mustang handles on Dry, Wet and Snow.

That's what we put on my wife's Lincoln when the Michellin tires were ready for replacement. Her car drives great on those.

 

[07 Boss]

Depending on sidewall height you can certainly run 305's on a 10" rim. These are 305/45/18, I have run a 305/40 but I wouldn't go any shorter than that on a 10" rim. But I always liked the way they filled up the wheel well and had that tall sidewall. Been looking for two rear tires but have yet to find any in the sizes I want. Everything is on back order. Currently running some BF Goodrich TA radials on my 15" racestars until I can get proper tires.

 

[Monkeyporn]

I have a 305-35-19 on the rears, on 19 x 10" rims.....and it's a totally wasted effort. I end up with exactly 1/8" more tread on the ground vs a 285-40-18....on 18x10" rims. ( I use 285-40-18"s on 18x10 rims on my fronts). When the rims are not wide enough, what happens is the edges of the tread roll up, and don't make contact with the ground, even with 1000 lbs front / 900 lbs rear weight sitting on em.

285 mm tires need to be on a bare minimum 10" wide rim, and preferably 10.5" wide.
305 mm tires need to be on an 11" wide rim.

I also tried 275-40-18"s on 18 x 10" wide rims ( stretched 1/2"). These work superb on the front.
I also tried 255-45-18"s on 18x 9" wide rims on the front ( stretched 1/2"), these too worked superb for handling.

On a side note, my 285-40-18's on 18x10" rims have exactly 1/4" more tread on the ground...vs 275-40-18" on the same 18x10" wide rims.

If I had to do it all over again, I woulda used 275-40-18's....or 285-40-18" on ALL 4 x corners, with 18x10" wide rims.....and called it a day. Then u get to rotate front to back (and also side to side with MPXX brand ties).

Unless you are laying on the ground, you can't see the staggered look anyway. You can't rotate front to back with any staggered setup. Too much stagger, and the car will understeer. To make these cars handle right, you want a lot of width on the front.

WOW this was a very helpful account and something I will definitely take into consideration. You make very valid points and give me something to think hard about.