Mustang Wheels and Tires FAQ: Come here for questions concerning tire size!!

[Zim]

I figured Id post a thread of all the stock tire sizes that were offered on the Mustang throughout the years, and help end some of the confusion that is overly prevelent when it comes to figuring out what tire size you need.

V6 MODEL WHEELS
These are the STOCK original equipment tire sizes for the following years:

1994-1998 - (15" wheels) 205/65-15
1999-2004 - (15" wheels) 205/65-15, (16" wheels) 225/55-16
2005-2007 - (Without Pony Package) 215/65-16, (With Pony Package) 235/55-17


GT MODEL WHEELS
These are the STOCK original equipment tire sizes for the following years:

1994-2004 - (16" wheels) 225/55-16, (17" wheels) 245/45-17
2005-2007 - (17" wheels) 235/55-17, (18" wheels) 235/50-18

COBRA MODEL WHEELS
These are the STOCK original equipment tire sizes for the following years:

1994-1995 - 255/45-17
1996-1998 - 245/45-17
1999/2001 - 245/45-17
2003-2004 - 275/40-17

SPECIALTY MUSTANGS
These are the STOCK original equipment tire sizes for the following years:

1995 Cobra R - 255/45-17
2000 Cobra R - 265/40-18
Bullitt Mustang - 245/45-17
Mach1 - 245/45-17
1999-2004 Saleen - (Front 18x9") 265/35-18, (Rear 18x10") 285/35-18
2007 Shelby GT500 - (Front) 255/45-18, (Rear) 285/40-18

AFTERMARKET WHEELS AND TIRES

Now that I've covered most stock wheel/tire combo's, I'll move on to explain sizing your tires to your aftermarket wheels. Aftermarket wheels generally come in 5 sizes. These sizes are as follows:

17x8"
17x9"
17x10.5"
18x9"
18x10"

The tires you want to fit to each of these sizes are as follows:

17x8" - 245/45-17 or 255/45-17
17x9" - 275/40-17
17x10.5" - 315/35-17
18x9" - 265/40-18 or 275/35-18
18x10" - 295/35-18 or 305/30-18 or 315/30-18


You might be asking yourself what all these numbers even mean, so Ill explain it. We'll use a size 245/45-17 as an example. Now the first number (245) is the width of the entire tire. Some confuse this as the width of the tread, and thats not right. It is measured in millimeters and should be coordinated with your rim size as to how wide of a tire you buy. The second number (45) refers to the tires aspect ratio. This means that the sidewall height is 45% of your tire width, so this tire's sidewall is 45% of 245 millimeters. This number is extremely important in keeping your stock tire diameter in the same general size. By not keeping the same total tire diameter, it will throw your speedometer off, and not look correct. The third number is the size of your rim, so in this case the "17" refers to a 17" wheel.

Remember, there's a REASON Ford put 275 wide tires on their 2003-2004 cobras boasting 17x9" rims. This reason is that because those tires cover the rim with ample protection. If a 245 or 255 was the correct size tire on a 17x9" rim, you would most likely see that size tire on those wheels from the factory. As you know, they aren't there from the factory... and that is because they're TOO SMALL. Don't screw up a perfectly good set of wheels because you went and skimped on the tires. It doesn't make sense to put tiny tires on a big wheel. It would be the same thing as if someone put a bicycle tire on their motorcycle, it just makes no sense, so don't do it. If you can't afford the tires, then you can't afford the rims. Simple as that.

Some things to keep in mind when buying tires, is be SURE to get a tire wide enough for the wheel you're putting it on. If you buy a tire that is too narrow for the rim, it may fit... but it's not going to offer the required width to keep your wheel protected in the unfortunate incident that you may curb your rim out. Spending a little more on a tire is certainly worth the self-gratification that if you do hit a curb, its not going to ruin your rim. A little more on a tire is certainly worth the $150 or more you'd have to spend on replacing a wheel if it is damaged due to insufficient protection. Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to tires. If you spend more, you're going to get a better performing tire. Dont expect the 65 dollar special to outhandle a 200 dollar michilin of the same size, its just not going to happen.

Now, if you want to go throw tiny tires on your rims... don't say I didn't warn you. You WILL eventually run into a problem with your tires being too skinny. And if you want to say "I have blah blah blah tires and theyre fine", please save your breath. There's enough mis-information on this forum to last everyone a long time, lets keep it out of this thread.

Now hopefully this helps some people out in the future, if you have questions about a size thats not listed here, you may need to do some research yourself, or post here and we'll see if your questions can be answered.

[crazeflier07]

Thanks for the post Zim. What are your tires cause they are exactly what I'm going for. Thanks again.
~Jon~

[SpectorV]

i have a HUGE article about this that brent has hid somewhere

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by crazeflier07 Thanks for the post Zim. What are your tires cause they are exactly what I'm going for. Thanks again. ~Jon~

I believe he's running 315's on the rear. Either that or 295's

[Zim]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn I believe he's running 315's on the rear. Either that or 295's

285/35-18 up front (my tires run small)

295/35-18 in the rear

[Herbstang]

Great Info Zim

[bluemustang]

Quote: Originally Posted by Herbstang Great Info Zim

+1

[crazeflier07]

I was looking at some tires for 17x9 and 17x10.5 rims. The fronts are 275/40s and the rears are 315/35s. I'm curious since the 40 and 35 are the sidewall height I believe, won't the front tires be higher on the sides then the rears or do they balance themselves out some how? The tires are Nitto 555 in the front and in the rear 555Rs. Does anyone have these? I would be using them as a daily driver and occasional autox on the weekends. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
~Jon~

[Zim]

No, the 35 and 40 are a percentage of your tire width. so the 275/40 will have 40% of 275 as its sidewall height...

Make sense?

[timpryor]

Just a little tid-bit, but the Nitto's tend to run about 10mm narrower than other companies. ie. a nitto 275 is more equivalent to almost any other brands 265. Just thought that would help someone out

[Zim]

its not just nitto's, theres other brands as well.

Falken is one that I know of, also firestone

[carlosc]

there is so much differrence between a 245 40 17 tire and a 255 40 17 ??? or is almost the same?

[onetwin69]

Please post B.C.D. (BOLT CENTER DIA.) and offsets if possible. Do you know them?

[carlosc]

Bcd = 4.5

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlosc there is so much differrence between a 245 40 17 tire and a 255 40 17 ??? or is almost the same?

It is a difference of 10 mm...or approximately just over 1/4" (Takes about 3 cm = 1"...10 mm = 1 cm)

[Fishers Stang]

EDIT. Nm i found the new style of my Firestones so ima just going to pair them up

[Zim]

Quote: Originally Posted by onetwin69 Please post B.C.D. (BOLT CENTER DIA.) and offsets if possible. Do you know them?

Offset can vary by the wheel... depending how wide it is, etc. I dont really know specifics on that, sorry.

[fear1]

Great info Zim. After looking at the size of an 07 GT tires, I had to go look at my tires. I thought they said 255/45, but they are 235/55's. (guess I didn't have good enough light the last time I looked) Thanks for setting me straight.