Ford FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a solid, highly capable minivan that performs well and offers all the latest safety features. Much of the Freestar's structure and design came from the Windstar it replaced. Windstar offered class-leading safety and solid performance for its time. Freestar is the highest quality minivan it has ever built.
I have a 07 Freestar SE with almost 50,000 miles and am ready to get new tires I currently have 225/60/16 Michelin Symmetry's. Just wondering what anybody had on theirs. I would like something that was quiet, thats my only complaint about my Freestar (road noise). Anybody run any different sizes on's their's.
Last edited by ghostriderr6; 06-27-2009 at 03:04 PM..
Why don't you be first; how many miles on your Michelins? I have always bought Michelins, and see no reason to change.
I haven't noticed road noise in our '04 Monterey Premier with 80K miles, and believe they are the second set of some other brand run flat tires. I believe the ride is harsher than the standard 215/65-15 on the Windstar. I can only imagine the ride on some of the newer wheels. Hmm, maybe I oughta' try the 215-15 Michelins off my wife's Jaguar.
Our Model T ride is harsher yet, with the equivalent of 90/120-23 tires. Their official size is 3 1/2 x 30.
GB
Last edited by GraybeardAv; 07-01-2009 at 07:56 PM..
I did put the mileage for my tires, almost 50,000 (47,153), but thanks for the reply. Nice Model T. I was just wondering because my cousin has a Dodge Caravan with the same tires and he's got almost 70,000 on them and we both live and drive in the same area.
I'm just surprised a new Ford came with Michelins.
Your SE weighs about 4,200 lb. If the Dodge weighs much less, that could explain part of it. There are a zillion other factors. The noise could be an indicator of wear, but I'm not sure of what cause.
I recently replaced my Goodyears with Coopers. The factory size is 235/60R16. Going back to the factory specs might earn you an extra mile or two per fillup.
I shopped around for quite a while before buying tires; my concerns were quality, price, handling, mileage, safety, and looks of course; essentially the overall value. I was getting concerned that my old tires were going to give up before making up my mind.
I went with the Coopers as they seemed to have the best of it all. I put on the CS4-T rated as they were 80k tires. They lasted longer and were cheaper than the better handling h/v rated tires; it is not that these tires handle bad by any means but they were not going on a Mustang.... It was overkill.
They have lots of good tread, even on rought pavement I barely have any road noise, and have the structural integrity to hold up that heavy 4.2 in the front without looking like they are going to pop as did the goodyears.
My past experience with Coopers had been on my full size bronco where I could not wear the discoverers out. For being big meaty tires, the mileage was incredible; I put over 50k on them with better than half the life left and I am not easy on my cars.
All this and they are an American company, with American made tires. Other than having to reset my air pressure monitor which took 5 seconds (simply push and hold the odometer button), they have been great with about 3000 - 5000 miles so far.
Just my opinion but many of the other tires out there are just so darn soft they where out quickly. On a top heavy van, it is important to have the strong shoulders these tires have or you will be going bald early in life.
Did I mention they are rated for 80k? This means you won't be replacing anytime soon.
Hi, I replaced my goodyear eagles with Michelin Pilot tires 235/55/17 and they are the best road handling tires I've had in a while. Got a set of 4 from craigslist.
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Knock on wood!!! Own 2 windstars, 1 freestar and no transmission or head gasket problems yet!!
Have there been any honest reports about ride and handling of equivalent 15, 16, and 17 inch wheels and tires? It just makes sense that more tire would cushion more bumps, but that is offset by the added weight of the extra rubber.
In a Model T, the shock absorbers are the passengers.
Have there been any honest reports about ride and handling of equivalent 15, 16, and 17 inch wheels and tires? It just makes sense that more tire would cushion more bumps, but that is offset by the added weight of the extra rubber.
In a Model T, the shock absorbers are the passengers.
GB
This is subjective.... You are right the more rubber the more cushion but to much cushion and the critics are knocking Fords again. I like a bit of meat on my tires... Some of these low profiles that are like an inch or two thick seem like they are more of a road hazard than anything.
Another thought would be is having the tire absord impacts or having the suspension do it so the tires have a firmer grip on the road. I think again, it is a balance of just enough tire with the right suspension. This is some of the stuff people don't consider when getting obscenely sized aftermarket tires... The factories when through extensive testing while who knows what with the aftermarket- there are high quality aftermarket that do test appropriately but most discount wheel dealers are probably requiring they be round to sell.
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