Just bought a 2003 Durango SLT for the wife, the door plate says to run 35 psi on the 245 R-16's but the tires on the "D" are 265 R-16's. Are the 265's wider or taller and is 35 psi ok to run in them?

Thanks Guys

 

The first number is the tire width so 265 is wider than 245. We can't tell you if they are shorter or taller than the original unless you have the 2nd number. The 2nd numer is the aspect ratio meaning that a "75" series tire is 75% as tall as it is wide. So a 245/75/15 will not be as tall as a 265/75/15.

The 35 psi on the door plate was what the manufacturer thought was good for the tire that came with the D originally. Tires have load ratings. The tires you have now probably have a different load rating than what came from the factory. There actually is a formula that you can use to figure tire pressure for different load ratings. I don't know what it is.

Tires have a max psi rating so you don't want to go over that. Other than that, it just depends on your driving preferences. The more air pressure, the rougher the ride to a degree but you will usually do better with tire life and mpg.

I do some towing with my D and like my tires towards the top end of the max psi rating.

 

Thanks a lot Scott

Backcounty, Walt