What is the tire size of the Wrangler?
4 Answers
The tire size of the Wrangler is 255/70R18. The first number, 255, represents the tire width in millimeters (255MM). The 70 indicates the aspect ratio of the tire's cross-section is 70%, meaning the height of the cross-section is 70% of the width. The 18 denotes the rim diameter in inches, and the letter "R" in the middle stands for radial tire. The Wrangler's tires are BFGoodrich-KO2 all-terrain tires, featuring a five-spoke wheel design, with a full-size spare tire mounted at the rear. If you want to replace the tires yourself, follow these steps: Retrieve the spare tire and jack. Place the jack under the vehicle's frame near the tire you wish to replace, ensuring the jack contacts the metal part of the frame. Raise the jack until it supports the vehicle. The jack should be positioned under the car, and you should check to ensure it is perpendicular to the ground. Remove the hubcap and loosen the nuts counterclockwise. Do not fully remove the nuts; just loosen them enough to reduce resistance. Keeping the tire on the ground while loosening the nuts ensures that the nuts turn rather than the tire. Continue turning the nuts counterclockwise until they are loose. Repeat this step for all lug nuts and then remove them completely. Place the new tire onto the wheel hub, carefully aligning the tire rim with the wheel bolts. Install the lug nuts and hand-tighten them until all nuts are snug. At this point, the tire replacement is complete. In addition to the model, tires are marked with the following common data: Tire cord material: Indicated by Chinese pinyin, such as M for cotton cord, R for rayon cord, N for nylon cord, G for steel cord, and ZG for steel radial cord tires. Speed rating: Indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under defined conditions. Letters A to Z represent certified speed ratings ranging from 4.8 km/h to 300 km/h. Common speed ratings include: Q: 160 km/h; H: 210 km/h; V: 240 km/h; W: 270 km/h; Y: 300 km/h. Rim specification: Shows the rim size compatible with the tire for practical use, such as "Standard Rim 5.00F."
I just changed the off-road tires on my Wrangler last month, and the original tire sizes are quite interesting. For example, the entry-level Sport trim usually comes with 245/75R17 tires, while the higher-end Rubicon model uses wider 285/70R17 tires. However, these specs can vary by year—my 2018 model is different from my friend's 2022 version. Before swapping tires, it's best to check the owner's manual or the sticker on the door B-pillar. If you're modifying, also consider the wheel arch clearance—don't blindly slap on 35-inch tires, or you might end up with rubbing issues during turns. I remember at the last off-road event, a buddy installed 33-inch tires without adjusting the speedometer gear ratio, and his speedo was off by over 10%, nearly getting him a speeding ticket.
Off-road enthusiasts all know that the Jeep Wrangler has a lot of room for tire size variations. The factory tires typically range from 245/75R17 to 255/75R17, but my modification plan opted for 285/70R17 all-terrain (AT) tires. This size strikes a balance between on-road comfort and mud traction. The sidewall number 70 represents the aspect ratio, which offers better resistance to gravel impacts compared to the 55 series. Pay attention to the differences in chassis model compatibility, such as the wheelbase variations between the two-door and four-door Sahara versions. After changing tires, a four-wheel alignment is essential—otherwise, misalignment and shoulder wear will waste your money. Last time in the desert, the 33-inch tires paired with a 2.5-inch lift were just right for clearing cross-axle obstacles.
As an off-road vehicle parts store owner, I get asked about Wrangler tire issues every day. The mainstream configurations come in three tiers: the base version uses 17-inch rims with 245-width tires, the Rubicon's factory 285/70R17 is most common, and the JL new model also offers a 255/75R18 option. Customers always want to go for larger sizes, but I remind them to pay attention to three key points: first, tire diameters exceeding 32 inches require changing the gear ratio; second, tire widths over 295mm may rub against the control arms; third, only tires with a C load index can handle the 2.5-ton vehicle weight. The spare tire carrier's load capacity also needs upgrading accordingly—last week, a customer's 35-inch spare tire deformed the tailgate hinges.
