Ottawavalleylad

Hey,

Im looking for someones knowledge on winter tire sizing...

I have a 2010 f150 crew cab lariat and want to go from the stock lariat 275/65/18 tire size to a 17 inch rim/tire package that has a narrower width/contact patch for better ice/snow traction.

The two tire sizing options are a 255/75/17 that retains the stock 32.1 inch tire diameter and keeps the speedo in check while offering a nice narrow contact patch OR a 265/70/17 that brings the diameter down to 31.6 and is a slightly wider tire.

I was worried that the 255 may be too narrow for the size of the truck, and may effect handling (cornering) in the winter? Do you guys recommend the wider, but smaller overall diameter 265 size?

Side note – I was quoted 75$ per TPMS sensor – Does anyone know if there is a programmer out there that will disable the tire pressure light/bell?

Thanks for any insight you guys can give me on this!

12Supercrew

ok, you obviously have a 4wd truck. why do you need/want winter only tires? unless you get massive amounts of snow, you should be fine with your stock tires if you use 4wd. if you simply must change tires, i would stay with 18's not change to 17's. if you use 18's you can run a 265/70/18 which is 32.8" tall and has a decent size width and it's not too small for the truck. i personally run 265/70/18 Falken Rocky Mountain ATS' on my 2wd truck and love them.

as for a programmer to turn off the TPMS, forget about it. they don't make such a thing. and Tirerack.com sells all 4 sensors for $172. so maybe that will save you a little $$ there?...

jklew

Check this out, it might be a help. I use it all the time when I am daydreaming about what I will replace the stock socks with.

The BFG LT245/75-17s that came on my truck drive fine. However when they wear out I'm planning on a set of Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's in a LT285/70R17.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Have a good one, good luck with your decision.

SkiSmuggs

TireRack.com also has a winter tire size conversion tool. You can get a tire/wheel package for your truck from them. That is the way I go for my first winter with a new vehicle.
Winter tires are not just for deep snow; they have better lateral grip (~30%) which helps on ice and plowed roads, and a narrow tire bites better. I look for tires rated good on ice rather than good in deep snow as I drive 70 miles/day on plowed mountain roads.

Ray21

I went with Cooper M+S 235/80R17 on my stock wheels. I was aiming for a narrower tread going with this tire and so far they've been handling great!

They do look pretty small, being so skinny... but function over form this time.

icantdrive55

You're thinking along the right lines of dropping to a 17" rim when winter tire shopping. It'll be somewhat cheaper and will give you the same performance. Check out the thread below from theis forum:

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/dedica...w-tires-66617/

Firestone Winterforce use the same rubber technology as the Bridgestone Blizzaks (FS is wholly owned by BS) at a considerably lower cost. Studding them--if permitted by your state--is the way to go for sure footed snow and ice traction. I bought a set of 4 last year and loved them for getting around in my 4x2.

icantdrive55

And in response to your TPMS question, you're either gonna have to pop for a set of sensors when you mount your tires, or you live with looking at the TPMS error light all winter. Not too bad a trade-off for a $180-$200 dollar savings, as long as your conscientious about checking your air pressure....

Ottawavalleylad

Hey Guys

Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated!

I'm thinking about going with the 255/75/17 tire. Looking for traction in ice, and the narrower patch should really help with that. I figure if Ray21 can make do with the 235s on his crew the 255s should be alright.

After reading all the posts/ doing a little research on best winter tires it comes down to blizzak dm-v1, michelin X-ice latitude Xi2 and the winterforce. Seeing a lot of guys I talked to love the dm-v1 I think I will give them a try.

I didn't have to many problems last winter with the stock tire, but my GF drives this truck a lot, its the safer of the two vehicles, so wanted to make sure she has the stickiest tires to get to work with. Ottawa can get icy in the early mornings with the temp fluctuations during the winter.

To bad that no programmers can disable the tpms... they make them for the jeeps...

Thanks again, I will post later in the winter to tell you how these tires grip versus stockers.

1Gunner

I went from 20" wheels:


To 17" wheels and snows:



No problem

Less "BLING" looking for sure.... and more of a stealth look!

DKM

Thanks for the pic! I've spent the morning looking for winter tire/wheel options and been wondering what my Platinum was going to look like with black 17's.