Best Tires For Ford Expedition: Complete Guide

8 Best Tires For Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition was originally released in 1997 as the successor to the wildly popular Ford Bronco. As Ford’s largest SUV, the Expedition offers three-row seating and seats up to nine people.

Another fun fact about the Expedition is that it’s built on the same general chassis and with the same general concept in mind as the Ford F-150, but of course with a different body and target audience in mind. That said, the Expedition is able to carry more, haul more, and do more “truck-like” things than the other SUVs that Ford offers.

This also means you need to be sure the tires on your Expedition are up to scratch. The best tires that you can put on your Ford Expedition will depend on how you drive it. You may need highway tires, sport truck tires, all-terrain tires, or even mud-terrain tires. No matter which, we’re here to make your Expedition tire search as easy as possible by narrowing it down to only the best options.

So without further ado, let’s dig a little deeper on the 8 best Ford Expedition tires on the market:

Michelin Defender LTX M/S — Best Highway

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For the vast majority of Ford Expedition drivers, the best tire on the market is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. As our top-rated all-season highway-terrain tire, the Defender LTX M/S offers most Expedition drivers everything they need out of a tire.

Let’s start with longevity. The Defender LTX M/S comes with a 70,000-mile tread life warranty. Which, although not the highest (more on that one shortly), it’s still at the top of the class. Michelin’s Evertread technology allows these tires to go even further, and some Expedition drivers are capable of getting 75,000 to 80,000 miles out of them.

Next, reliability. As an all-season tire, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers drivers uncompromised traction throughout the year and in all weather conditions. The “M/S” imprint on the sidewall and in its name stands for “mud and snow”, meaning that it’s certified to provide traction even in snowy conditions.

Lastly, let’s look at comfort. Built using Michelin’s MaxTouch Construction, the Defender LTX M/S was designed to reduce road vibrations while simultaneously lessening road noise. This makes it one of the most comfortable tires on the market for the Ford Expedition.

All things considered, you won’t find a better option on the market.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 70,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 2,403 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
• Tread Depth: 12/32”
• Tire Weight: 35 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 800
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A
• Long-lasting tread compound stands up to the toque of modern trucks and SUVs
• Provides excellent traction and grip on all road conditions

FAQ

Can I drive on the Defender LTX off-road?

If you need to go off-road on something like a dirt road or gravel driveway, sure. The Defender LTX can handle it on occasion. But if you’re planning on using your Expedition for off-road driving a lot, we suggest getting an all-terrain tire instead.

Is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S a comfortable tire?

Michelin is known for making high-quality tires and almost all of their options provide excellent comfort. The Defender LTX is no exception. It’s by far one of the most comfortable tires on the market for trucks and SUVs.

Will the Expedition wear these out quickly due to its weight?

Not at all. The load rating on these tires is 2,403 pounds each (depending on the size). Most Ford Expedition models weigh 5,000 to 6,000 pounds at the most. So the Expedition will not strain these tires and cause them to wear out any faster than normal!

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus — Best Touring

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Recall from before when we mentioned the Michelin Defender LTX M/S not having the longest tread life warranty in its class? Well, this next tire does, which is part of the reason it’s our highest-rated touring tire available for the Ford Expedition — the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus.

As an all-season tire, the Dueler H/L Alenza Plus will provide reliable traction in all road and weather conditions throughout its life. With a class-leading 80,000-mile tread life warranty, you won’t find a tire available that will last longer on your Ford Expedition.

This extra-durable tread compound works in conjunction with Bridgestone’s Variable Tread Pitch Technology that reduces road noise and vibrations to add to the comfort of your ride. This means this tire has the two most important things needed from a touring tire — longevity and comfort.

Offered in most of the common tire sizes from 15” through 22” wheel diameters, the Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is the perfect choice for Ford Expedition owners that want to get the most life possible out of a set of tires.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 80,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 1,984 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
• Tread Depth: 13/32”
• Tire Weight: 34 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 800
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A
• Features some of the most comfort-driven technologies in the industry
• Longest tread-life warranty in its class

FAQ

Is this an all-season tire?

Yes, the Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is an all-season tire! So you can put these on your Expedition and rest assured knowing that you’ll have traction and performance all year long.

Can I drive on this tire in the snow?

The Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is an all-season tire that does provide some traction in light snow. If you know you’ll be driving in severe winter weather often, we always suggest getting a dedicated winter/snow tire for the best possible traction.

What is the mileage warranty?

The Dueler H/L Alenza Plus comes with a class-leading 80,000-mile tread life warranty. Bridgestone prides itself on making high-quality tires that last a long time, and the Alenza Plus is no exception. You won’t find a tire in this class that lasts longer.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 — Best Winter

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The Ford Expedition is one of the best-performing SUVs in the winter due to its weight and truck-like design. That said, to really perform well in the winter, the Expedition (and even trucks) really need to have a good winter tire. That’s where the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 comes in.

As a winter tire designed specifically for crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks, the Blizzak DM-V2 is hands-down the best option on the market for this class of vehicles. It comes in major sizes ranging from 15” through 22” wheel diameters, making it easy to find for your Expedition.

Bridgestone has perfected the winter tire industry in the new Blizzak line of tires. Using a Multicell technology and hydrophilic coating, the Blizzak DM-V2 draws the top layer of water off of snow and ice, allowing the biting edges of the sipes and tread blocks to dig in and provide industry-leading traction.

The Blizzak DM-V2 comes with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, which is the highest winter traction rating available. This rating means that the Blizzak DM-V2 has exceeded the industry standards for winter traction and can perform during the most severe weather conditions.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 2,403 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
• Tread Depth: 14/32”
• Tire Weight: 38 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: N/A
• UTQG Traction: N/A
• UTQG Temperature: N/A
• Industry-leading traction in snow and ice
• Studless design performs great and offers a quiet, comfortable ride

FAQ

Do I really need a winter tire even if my Expedition is 4WD?

If you are going to be regularly driving in the snow, yes! A little-known fact in the automotive industry is that winter tires are the single biggest advantage that a vehicle can have in the winter, even more than being 4WD or AWD.

What is the mileage warranty?

The Blizzak DM-V2 unfortunately does not come with any mileage warranty whatsoever. That’s because they were designed for one specific reason — to provide unparalleled winter traction and performance. Using them in the warmer months will wear them out quickly.

How many winters will they last?

If stored properly, maintained well, and only used during the winter months, you should expect to easily get at least 3-4 winters out of them. If you don’t use them very often and put little miles on, you can even get 5-6 winters out of them on your Expedition!

Yokohama Parada Spec-X — Best Sport Truck

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For any Ford Expedition owners out there that want to really get the most performance that they possibly can out of it, the Yokohama Parada Spec-X is the perfect tire. An aggressive all-season sport truck tire, the Parada Spec-X offers extreme performance in all conditions throughout the entire year.

Using a special rubber compound in the tread of the Parada Spec-X, Yokohama has been able to create a tire that keeps itself planted to the road’s surface in all conditions. This includes aggressive cornering, high-speed straight-line driving, and more,

With a handful of circumferential grooves and a network of sipes and channels all working together, the Parada Spec-X directs water away from the tire’s contact patch to further ensure traction in all road conditions.

Coming in sport truck tire sizes ranging from 18” through 24” wheel diameters, Expedition owners with 17” wheels won’t be able to take advantage. That said, all other Expedition models with 18” wheels or bigger will have no trouble finding a set of these performance tires.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 2,833 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 psi
• Tread Depth: 11/32”
• Tire Weight: 42 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 420
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A
• Designed for sport trucks and modern muscle cars to deliver high performance
• Circumferential and lateral grooves channel water away from the tire and enhance traction

FAQ

Does my Expedition need a sporty tire like this?

This decision really just comes down to what you’re looking to get out of your Expedition. If you’re just a typical highway commuter, someone who does off-road driving, or uses their Expedition to haul, then probably not. But if you want to get maximum handling and performance out of your Expedition, then you should consider the Parada Spec-X.

How long will they last?

The Parada Spec-X from Yokohama does not come with a mileage warranty from the factory, but Expedition owners that have used them in the past typically get around 40,000 to 50,000 miles out of them before they wear out.

Would a highway tire be a better option?

For most Expedition owners out there, a highway-terrain tire will usually be a better option. They last longer and provide more all-season reliability. The Parada Spec-X and other sport truck tires are really only needed by performance junkies.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S — Best All-Terrain

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Considering the Ford Expedition is more or less built on the F-150 chassis, many Expedition drivers choose to put all-terrains on them to get the most versatile tire possible. We couldn’t agree with that logic more, and the best all-terrain on the market for your Ford Expedition is the popular Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

With a class-leading 65,000-mile tread life warranty, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is the perfect all-terrain tire for Expedition owners who plan to do more on-road driving than off-road. But even if that isn’t the case, the Discoverer AT3 4S is more than capable of performing off-road as well!

With a patented tread design, the Discoverer AT3 4S offers some of the best winter weather performance possible out of an all-terrain. The tread blocks and grooves are engineered to trap and pack snow between the tread blocks. Contrary to what many people might think, this enables the tire to have snow-on-snow traction, which greatly enhances grip in the winter.

Coming in just about every popular SUV and truck tire size from 15” through 22” wheel diameters, finding a set for your Ford Expedition will be a breeze.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 65,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 2,833 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi (80 psi for LT sizes)
• Tread Depth: 14/32”
• Tire Weight: 45 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 620
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B
• Snow Groove Technology traps and packs snow into the grooves, enhancing winter traction
• Provides one of the quietest, most comfortable rides on an all-terrain tire

FAQ

What is the mileage warranty?

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S comes with a class-leading 65,000-mile tread life warranty. For an all-terrain tire capable of the performance (both on- and off-road) that the AT3 4S provides, a 65,000-mile warranty is incredible. That’s almost as much as, or more than, many highway tires.

Why should I put an all-terrain tire on my Expedition?

All-terrain tires are the perfect option for anyone that uses their Expedition for typical highway driving as well as off-road activities. The ability to handle both situations extremely well makes all-terrain tires the favorite choice among many Expedition owners.

Are they loud to drive on?

This may surprise many people, but no, the Discoverer AT3 4S is not loud to drive on. It’s one of the quietest all-terrain tires on the market, and most Expedition owners won’t notice any difference in noise level compared to a highway-terrain tire.

BFGoodrich T/A KM3 — Best Mud-Terrain

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While the above Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is great for both on-road and off-road driving, some Expedition owners know they’ll be mainly venturing off-road. If that sounds like you, then you’ll want to consider the BFGoodrich T/A KM3.

This mud-terrain tire was designed to provide the maximum traction possible in all off-road conditions. The tread blocks and shoulders were designed to dig into various loose terrain to offer unmatched traction while also being able to grab rocks and other rugged terrains.

With a durable tread molded using BFGoodrich’s Krawl-Tek rubber compound, the T/A KM3 is cut- and chip-resistant to ensure it lasts in the most rugged terrain. To make it even more robust, the sidewalls have been reinforced and are twice as thick as the sidewalls found in most all-terrain tires, preventing punctures and impact breaks.

The BFGoodrich T/A KM3 is offered in tire sizes ranging from 15” through 20” wheel diameters, which is perfect for just about every model of Ford Expedition out there. So put these on your Expedition today and go conquer the off-road world.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 3,085 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 80 psi
• Tread Depth: 18/32”
• Tire Weight: 55 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: N/A
• UTQG Traction: N/A
• UTQG Temperature: N/A
• Tread blocks keep themselves free of dirt, mud, and debris to improve traction
• Tires can deform and deflect as needed to go over the most rugged terrain

FAQ

How long will these last?

It depends on how aggressively you drive them and how much off-road driving you do. Although they have no mileage warranty from BFGoodrich, the T/A KM2 can last upwards of 35,000 to 40,000 miles or more if properly maintained.

Can I use these on a daily driver even if I don’t go off-road much?

Yes, you can drive on the T/A KM2 every day even if you never go off-road! Many Expedition owners choose to put mud-terrains on for the looks even if they just drive on the highway. Just expect them to be a bit louder and a little less comfortable than an all-terrain or highway tire.

Is this tire similar to the BFG KO2?

You can think of the KM2 as the KO2 on off-road steroids. The KO2 is a high-quality all-terrain tire that’s great for highway and off-road driving. Although the KM2 can be driven on the highway as alluded to above, it’s really designed for maximum traction off-road, and its much more aggressive design shows that.

Atturo Trail Blade A/T — Best Temporary Spare

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If you have a Ford Expedition, there’s always a chance that you could have either highway-terrain, all-terrain, or mud-terrain tires on it. So when it comes to the temporary spare, it’s best to have an all-terrain so that it can work with any other type of tire for a short time.

That said, the best option on the market for a temporary spare is the affordable Atturo Trail Blade A/T. The Trail Blade A/T will be able to work with other all-terrains easily as well as do well enough with highway- or mud-terrain tires to get you and your Expedition to the nearest shop.

With a 50,000-mile tread life warranty, you can rest assured knowing that your temporary spare will last a long time so you should only have to replace it eventually due to age. With its rugged tread compound and design, it is resistant to chips and cuts to ensure you don’t have another tire issue on your way to get the original one fixed.

The Trail Blade A/T is offered in most common truck tire sizes from 16” through 20” wheels, so finding a spare for your Expedition should be no problem at all.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 50,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 2,756 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
• Tread Depth: 11/32”
• Tire Weight: 42 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 540
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B
• All-terrain tread means it can be a spare no matter what style tire is on your Expedition
• Tread compound designed for performance in all weather conditions

FAQ

Why is the Atturo Trail Blade a good spare tire?

It’s a good idea to have an all-terrain tire as your spare one just so that it can match up relatively well with the other tires no matter what they are. If you have highway-terrain, mud-terrains, or other all-terrains, the Atturo Trail Blade will be a good bridge tire until you make it to the shop.

Should I just get a set of Trail Blades on my Expedition?

If you want a set of all-terrain tires on your Expedition and you have a relatively low budget to work with, these might be a decent option for you. But if you’re looking for new all-terrain tires, we highly suggest the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S or BFGoodrich T/A KO2 instead.

Should I get an all-terrain as a spare tire if I use highway tires?

If you have no intentions of ever putting an all-terrain or mud-terrain tire on your Expedition, then it would make much more sense to just get a highway tire for your spare. An all-terrain is just a good option because it can be serviceable regardless of what the other tires are.

Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT — OEM Tire

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Since the Ford Expedition is technically classified as an SUV, even though it’s built on the F-150 chassis and many owners use it as a truck, it comes from the factory with a highway-terrain tire — the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT.

Designed for SUVs and light pickup trucks, it’s no surprise that Ford decided to go with the Wrangler Fortitude HT on the Expeditions. They come with a 65,000-mile tread life warranty and an all-season tread pattern to ensure reliable traction throughout the year, no matter the weather conditions.

With Goodyear’s proprietary tread compound that has a lower rolling resistance than other options on the market, the Wrangler Fortitude HT helps to increase the fuel mileage of the Ford Expedition as well.

As far as OEM tires go, the Wrangler Fortitude HT is a great option. If you really liked how the stock ones performed on your Expedition before wearing out, you could do far worse than putting another set on. But we do strongly recommend you check out one of the other options in this guide for a better overall tire.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 65,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 2,756 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 psi
• Tread Depth: 11/32”
• Tire Weight: 37 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 680
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B
• All-season tire designed for use year-round, in all weather and road conditions
• Engineered with a low rolling resistance to increase fuel economy

FAQ

Should I put the Fortitude HT back on my Expedition if I want a highway tire?

We’ll preface this by saying the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT tire is a solid highway tire, especially for an OEM tire. But once the stock ones wear out, we highly suggest going with a Michelin Defender LTX or Cooper Discoverer SRX for the reasons mentioned above.

How long will these last from the factory?

The Wrangler Fortitude HT tires that came on your Expedition should last you for at least 65,000 to 70,000 miles. For an OEM tire, that’s great! You can easily get a few years’ worth of driving out of them before you ever need to consider replacing them.

Can I drive on these tires in the snow?

As an all-season tire, you should expect to get some traction in light snow on your stock Expedition tires. That’s not to say you’ll be able to take on consistent snowstorms, but they’ll provide serviceable traction.

Ford Expedition Tire Sizes

Finding tires for your Expedition can be quite the endeavor just because of how many options there are out there. But thankfully, there haven’t been too many different tire sizes that have come on the Expedition in recent years. The Ford Expedition has only had four different OEM tire sizes to keep in mind over the past decade, with very little change year to year:

• 265/70R17
• 275/65R18
• 275/55R20
• 285/45R22

Although the Ford Expedition has gone through a number of facelifts and updates over the years, the models and tire sizes haven’t changed all that much. But it is still helpful to have the correct tire size available to you quickly, which is what this spreadsheet is designed to do. Keep in mind that all the models also include any additional EL and Max trim levels as well, since the tire sizes do not change.

That said, as long as you know the year and model of your Expedition, use the sheet to quickly and easily find the right tire size.

Ford Expedition Tire Buyer’s Guide

Can You Put Mud-Terrain Tires On Your Ford Expedition?

People all over the country love to put mud-terrain tires on their trucks and Jeeps due to the way that they instantly change the look and performance of the vehicle. While most of the time mud-terrain tires are used on trucks and Jeeps, they can be used on any vehicle that they fit on to enable it to go off-road and have much better traction. But what about the Ford Expedition?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely put mud-terrain tires on your Ford Expedition. Doing so will instantly change the look of your Expedition and also give you the option to go tackle any off-road conditions that you want. Dirt, mud, sand, etc. are no match for a high-quality mud-terrain tire like the BFGoodrich T/A KM3.

Keep in mind that fitting a set of big mud-terrain tires on your Ford Expedition isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds. Depending on what size mud-terrain tire you go with, you might have to do some additional modifications to get them to fit right. If you go up too much in size, you will likely have to put a lift kit on your Expedition to ensure they fit and you’re still able to turn the front wheels fully. Be sure to look into the size you’re looking at before you place the order!

Do I Need To Put Load Range E Tires On My Expedition?

Load Range E tires are heavy-duty tires capable of handling significantly more load than other tires — up to 3,415 pounds each. These tires are commonly also referred to as “LT” tires since their sizes will typically start with “LT”. They can also be called “10-ply tires” due to the number of plies within the tire. But are they really necessary? Do you need to put Load Range E tires on your Ford Expedition?

When it comes to the Ford Expedition, you do not need to put Load Range E tires on it in the vast majority of cases. The only time that you should consider doing so is if you’re planning on using it as a truck and hauling heavy loads with it. If the load exceeds the weight capacity of a standard tire, then you’ll want to invest in a set of Load Range E tires. If not, you don’t need to worry about it.

Load Range E tires are popular on heavy-duty trucks such as the Ford Super Duty because they’re necessary. Those types of trucks come with Load Range E tires stock, as they’re expected to be used to haul heavy loads — plus the trucks themselves are heavy. With the Ford Expedition, which is really just a big SUV, you don’t need to put Load Range E tires on it unless you’re planning to do some heavy-duty hauling regularly.

What Should The Tire Pressures Be Set At On My Expedition?

If you want to get the most life and best performance possible out of the tires on your Ford Expedition, you want to be sure you’re keeping them at the correct air pressure. Improper air pressure is one of the fastest ways to wear tires out prematurely. If they’re overinflated, the center of the tire will wear out too quickly. Tires that are underinflated will experience shoulder wear quickly. So what should the tires be set at on your Ford Expedition?

For any vehicle, including your Ford Expedition, always check the tire information placard on the inside of the driver’s side door. On the door itself or the door jam, you’ll find a rectangular placard that says what the tire size is and what the pressure should be set at. On almost every year and model Ford Expedition, the correct pressure will be 35 psi. But you should always confirm with this placard just to be sure!

Although 35 psi is the most common tire pressure for the Ford Expedition, it isn’t the correct amount for every year and model that’s ever been made. Some call for as low as 32 psi while others go up to 38 psi. Also remember to adjust them accordingly if you put Load Range E tires on, which we typically suggest putting 80 psi in the rear and 55 psi in the front. But for OEM Expedition tires, 35 psi will almost always be a safe bet.

How Much Can I Haul On Ford Expedition Tires?

Many people tend to only think about their vehicle itself and its power output when it comes to hauling. And with how many people use their Ford Expedition almost like a truck, Expedition owners are often wondering what they can tow with it. But don’t forget about your tires. Exceeding the load capacity of your tires can lead to premature wear or other issues. So how much can you haul on Ford Expedition tires?

This answer will depend on the type of tires that you have on your Expedition, but most of the standard tires will fall into a range. Unless you have Load Range E tires on your Expedition, you don’t want to haul a total load that weighs more than 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. This includes the Expedition itself, which weighs about 6,000 pounds with a driver. So you don’t want to haul much more than 2,000 to 4,000 pounds more.

This answer will of course be different if you in fact do have Load Range E tires on your Expedition. If that’s the case, you can haul around 14,000 to 15,000 pounds total without exceeding the load rating on your tires. To be safe, always check the maximum weight capacity of your Expedition tires before you start loading it up. This value is printed in small print right on the side of the tires!