Can Tires be Too Big?

[userdude]

Im not 100% positive on the whole story, but I think the Explorers were prone to rollovers, either during impacts or defensive driving, so Ford and their infinite wisdom decided to drop the tire pressure to xx-psi, which helped with rollovers, but now at highway speeds, caused the tires to overheat because they are underinflated, resulting in the delamination and whatever carnage happened afterwards.

I think Firestone was the factory tire, and there may have been factory defects in the tires as well, but Im not sure.

That all sounds correct. If you remembered that (and didn't look it up), you got a good memory! lol

Sponsored

 

[Sitruc_btb]

That all sounds correct. If you remembered that (and didn't look it up), you got a good memory! lol

Not that long ago, I read about it, either from an article or wikipedia, something like it. A co worker mentioned it and piqued my curiosity.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Im not 100% positive on the whole story, but I think the Explorers were prone to rollovers, either during impacts or defensive driving, so Ford and their infinite wisdom decided to drop the tire pressure to xx-psi, which helped with rollovers, but now at highway speeds, caused the tires to overheat because they are underinflated, resulting in the delamination and whatever carnage happened afterwards.

I think Firestone was the factory tire, and there may have been factory defects in the tires as well, but Im not sure.

From my first hand experience (94 Ford Explorer Limited), the blame should have been put on Ford. But everyone pointed fingers at Firestone. Owners at the time somehow couldn't read the side of a tire for recommended inflation. Instead they chose to read the sticker in the door jam which Ford recommended a low air pressure. I recall that it was 26 PSI on the door jam sticker. Then people blamed the tire when the tread separated driving 80mph on the highway. I was fortunate that I was able to read the recommendation from the tire manufacturer and not Ford. Consequently, I ended up getting 3 full sets of tires in recalls. Each time, I insisted on the Firestone. There was nothing wrong with the tire.

Sponsored