New Tires for Sport - 215/75R16

[dradler]

I need to buy new tires for my 2002 Jeep Liberty sport. The tire size is 215/75R16. Basically, this seems to be an extremely rare tire-size. The OEM Goodyear Wranglers that are on there now are terrible (check the surveys at tirerack.com - they are the lowest rating tires in the entire category of all-season SUV). The only two tires I can find are the Goodyear Wranglers and a Hankook RH03. The RH03 looks a little better than the wranglers, but still terribly ******.

What have you guys replaced your tires with? Help is greatly appreciated. I'm traveling to Maine (from NJ) for thanksgiving and need new tires...

 

[06Liberty]

You don't necessarily have to get that same size, in fact, I doubt anyone will recommend getting that size again. The size that comes on most Liberty's now is either a 225/75R16 (what I have), or 235/70R16. Either of those should be ALOT easier to find, but you can also go up to a 245/70R16 on the stock (un-lifted) suspension if you want to go a little bigger. If you're happy with that size you have now and don't want much of a change, then I would recommend getting the 235/70R16 size. It would look better and make it feel more "stable". Hope this helps...

 

[Dave]

If you are happy with that size you have now and don't want much of a change, then I would recommend getting the 235/70R16 size. It would look better and make it feel more "stable". Hope this helps...

That is what you should concider. That size also came stock on some KJ's. You will also be able to find a much better tire selection in that size.

Dave

 

[Dave]

Forgot to mention. If you go to the 235/70/16 size you will need to replace your spare also but it will be worth it.

Dave

 

[dradler]

I would recommend getting the 235/70R16 size. It would look better and make it feel more "stable". Hope this helps...

I really appreciate your help as well as Dave's. My car and wheels are stock, you are definitely sure that the wider tire will fit on my wheels? I wonder why you recommend the 235/70R16 but are riding with 225/75R16? I guess that's what the dealer put on for you when you purchased? But yes, I definitely need more stability, traction, etc. I am looking at the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 - it looks like a good all-season tire. Thoughts?

Also, you also said I can go up to 245/70R16 on the stock (no lift) vehicle - why not go all the way and get the widest I can? I'm thinking wider tire more surface area equals more traction (maybe crappier in the snow though?). Let me know what you think.

 

[dradler]

Forgot to mention. If you go to the 235/70/16 size you will need to replace your spare also but it will be worth it.

Dave

Good call on replacing the spare.

 

[WalkGood]

But yes, I definitely need more stability, traction, etc. I am looking at the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 - it looks like a good all-season tire. Thoughts?

.

I've be VERY happy with Good Year Fortera Triple Tread

http://www.goodyearfortera.com/index_flash.html

Excellent traction all season, especially on wet surfaces. And cuts through puddles to keep you from hydroplaning.

 

[06Liberty]

The 225's came on mine when I bought it new, and I'm putting the 245's on it the first of next year when I get my income tax return. You can search the forum for topics on the 245/70R16 like this one----> http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29440&highlight=245%2F70r16

I think on the earlier model years (02-04), there may be a little bit of rubbing with the 245's....that's why I recommended the 235's for you, kind of in the middle.

 

[dradler]

Thanks, I will go with the 235s, I don't need any rubbing - and found confirmation on wikipedia that the 245 would rub on my '02.

 

[desertkj]

Thanks, I will go with the 235s, I don't need any rubbing - and found confirmation on wikipedia that the 245 would rub on my '02.

That is what I have on mine. I have the BF Goodrich AT/KOs and I have been extremely happy. I am actually on the second set and the first lasted about 50K miles. What are you looking for? Have you already decided on one?

 

[dradler]

I am either going to get the Goodyear Fortera TripleTred or Yokohama Geolander H/T-S in 235/70/16 to replace my stock 215/75/16. I like Yokohama because I once replaced my OEM wheels on an '04 Infinity G35 with Yokohama Avids and they were awesome - I drove that car through 8" of snow through the mountains near Bethlehem, PA and had incredible traction in every weather condition. Conversely, the Goodyear Wranglers that came with my '02 Sport are terrible (this is an understatement):

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=HAS

You can see they are the lowest ranking tire out of all 60 in the category! I do admit this is probably slightly biased because people are likely to rate these tires as soon as they've replaced them with new ones (and a new tire is likely to be better than one with no tread), but still, overall the Goodyear Wranglers are absolutely wretched. I do not even understand why Jeep would put them on new vehicles at all.

I just want to be absolutely sure that the wider 235/70/16 tires will fit on my factory wheels with no rub and no required modifications - because I just want to be able to take them to a local shop and have them put them on lickedy-split with no issues. If anybody has confirmation that you can put wider tires on the stock wheels or have done it before (first-hand knowledge) please let me know.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

245/70s look GREAT even when they need replacing! The Liberty LOVES the wider tire and handles wonderfully. MUCH more stable. It no longer feels like it's about to tip over all the time. Those 215s are dangerous. Not just the tire, the size too.

But yes, the wider tire isn't as good in the snow.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Good day,
Our '04 rides on 225-70-16 Hankook RA07tires. It left the assembly line on 215-70-16 Good Year Wranglers originally.
If I remove all the items in the glove box there is a sticker on the bottom that lists the tire sizes that can be used on the vehicle.
It lists: 215-70-16, 225-70-16, and 235-70-16

Have a look in the glovebox and see if that sticker is mounted there.

Cheers

Ryan

 

[Mom'sJeep]

I just recently installed the geolandar HT/S 235/70/16 on my 04. I love them! They look much better than the 215's and the ride & handling is a great improvement. With my old tires just the slightest water puddle would cause the tires to spin when accelerating but the Geo's handle great in the rain. I did not use the original wheels but went with an American Racing wheel of the same size.

 

[Vtolds]

My 03 has 235/70 and they work just perfect. 225/75 are the recommenced winter tire size if yall are wondering.

 

[desertkj]

My 2002 has the 235/70R/16 and I have never had rubbing and I would not put them on if they would rub. Also, since you have a a 2002, there is a good chance that is prelowered like mine, so you gain about 3/4" of ride height. My Limited actually said that it was the recommended tire size as well. Until recently, I didn't even know people put 215 or 225 sizes on there.

 

[dradler]

Haha I didn't 'put them on' they were there when I got the car. I don't know why anybody would choose them - you have virtually no tire selection (I have scoured the internet and called local shops and can only find two!). I am going to look in the glovebox...that would be nice if there was a convenient sticker telling me what fits. But I am pretty set on the 235/70/16 - now it's just a matter on deciding if I want to bite the bullet and pay the extra for the Goodyear TripleTreds or go with the Yokahamas which are about 40 bucks cheaper per tire. I am just a little leery about the Goodyear TripleTred because, I mean, I've already got Goodyears on there and they suck! Granted they were OEM, but it puts a bad taste in my mouth and I don't know if I should give the company my money after making me drive on tires that could have potentially jeopardized my life. Shame on you Goodyear.

 

[dradler]

Good day,
Our '04 rides on 225-70-16 Hankook RA07tires. It left the assembly line on 215-70-16 Good Year Wranglers originally.
If I remove all the items in the glove box there is a sticker on the bottom that lists the tire sizes that can be used on the vehicle.
It lists: 215-70-16, 225-70-16, and 235-70-16

Have a look in the glovebox and see if that sticker is mounted there.

Cheers

Ryan

Wow! It was there. Note it also says, "The MINIMUM required tire size is 215/75/16" which is what they put on for me at factory. Bastards.

Well...Cheers to you Ryan! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Atrus]

235/70 will fit with no problem - that's how my 2007 came equipped from the factory (off-road package).

I don't think they even offer 215's on the new Liberties (new meaning 2007). 215 would look like a spare donut tire! IIRC, it was the 225 standard, the 235 for the off-road package. As most people seem to fit 245/70's with minimal-to-no rubbing, 235's should be just fine unless you have other issues (bad springs, etc).

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Must we continue talking about the 215/75R16 Wrangler ST tires? lol3.gif This is bringing back horrible memories of almost rearending minivans, sliding past yellow lights and pushing the gas and going NOWHERE.