Table of Contents
What Kind of Tires Does Dodge Use?
Dodge uses multiple tire brands, sizes, and types on its vehicles. However, a few rules apply across the board. For one, Dodge primarily uses radial tires, as these have been the standard since the 1980s. Dodge also uses only high-quality tires from reputable manufacturers, such as Goodyear, Michelin, and Pirelli.
Dodge tire price and quality vary between vehicles and trim levels. A base model Dodge Durango won’t get the same tires as an SRT Durango, as the pricier performance model has taller rims and wider tires. This is necessary both for the handling and safety of the vehicle.
Dodge tires also vary by location. For example, vehicles intended to be sold in dry climates often come with summer tires. These tires are cost-effective and suitable for warm weather and occasional rain, like in the Southwest. Vehicles sold in temperate but varied climates come with all-season tires, as they can handle typical rain, snow, and cold weather along with hot summers.
Dodge Performance Car Tires
Dodge performance cars use a handful of tires depending on the location where the car is sold and the type. Many stock Dodge Challengers, Chargers, and Durangos come with Goodyear tires of various types. These are usually all-season or A/S tires, which are the longest-lasting type of highway tire available.
Some performance Dodge vehicles, like the SRT and Hellcat, trim levels, come with purpose-made performance tires in 275/40R20 or 305/35R20. Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers often come with Michelin or Pirelli P-Zero tires on the high-end performance models, but this varies between dealerships.
Dodge Charger Tire Life
The Dodge Charger is one of the most popular performance cars in America. The base-model V6 SXT has a pretty long tire life, as the car doesn’t have excessive power and thus won’t burn through tires too quickly. However, the V8 models are known to tear up tires fast, and many owners of RT, Scat Pack and Hellcat Chargers immediately replace the stock tires.
Most Dodge dealers recommend replacing Charger tires between 36,000 and 45,000 miles. As a general rule: the faster the car, the quicker the tires need to be replaced. This is especially true if you still run the factory “skinny” P215/65R17 or P245/45R20 tires, which are prone to spinning even on dry roads.
Dodge Charger Stock Tire Size and Type
Stock Dodge Chargers come with all-season or summer tires, depending on the trim and location. The Pirelli P-Zero is the most common summer tire found on Chargers, and it’s well-received by owners and popular at dealerships. Pirelli P-Zero tires are usually Y-rated for 186+ miles per hour.
Stock tire sizes vary between models. The stock tire size for an R/T Charger is 245/45R20. More tire size options are available for the Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, which comes with either 245/45R20 tires or 275/40R20 tires. The Hellcat Wide Body uses 305/35R20 tires, and the standard Hellcat runs 275/40R20 tires.
Dodge Challenger Tire Life
The Dodge Challenger’s tire life is similar to that of the Charger, though anecdotal reports suggest that vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission might enjoy a longer tire life. This is likely due only to driver experience and how aggressively they drive. Dodge Challenger tires last between 30,000 and 50,000 miles.
But why do some Dodge Challengers burn through tires so much faster than the predicted lifespan? This has to do with a few factors, including power, driving style, and tire type. Also, if the front tires are different sizes than the rear tires, you can’t rotate them all the way across—and thus miss out on a crucial step of tire longevity maintenance.
High-horsepower Challengers, like the Scat Pack and the Hellcat, have too much power for the skinny factory tires. This problem is compounded when owners do burnouts or dump the clutch too often. This is a common complaint of Challenger owners, who can see their tires destroyed in as little as 20,000 miles with improper driving.
Dodge Challenger Stock Tire Size and Type
The Dodge Challenger and its tire options are very similar to the Charger, as these cars share a lot of parts. Trim levels between the vehicles are mostly the same too, and they’re both available in V6 SXT, V8 RT, Scat Pack, and Hellcat versions. The Challenger usually comes with summer tires or all-season highway tires.
The Dodge Challenger GT AWD uses 235/55R19 tires on all four wheels. The 5.7L V8 Challenger RT uses 245/45R20 tires in the front and 275/40R20 tires in the rear. The high-performance Challenger Scat Pack uses 245/45R20 tires, and the Hellcat uses P275/40R20 tires.
How Long Do Dodge SUV Tires Last?
Dodge SUVs, like the Durango, have widely varying tire lifespans in practice. Base-model 2WD Durango SUV tires usually last between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, whereas 4WD Durango tires last about 35,000 to 55,000 miles.
High-performance variations of the Durango, like the 5.7 HEMI and the SRT, have the lowest tire life expectancies. Dodge recommends a relatively standard tire replacement interval for these vehicles, but owners report appreciable tire wear at 20,000 miles or less. This Eans the average life expectancy is likely between 25,000 and 45,000 miles, with a median of about 30,000 miles.
How Long Do Dodge Ram Tires Last?
Dodge truck tires last about as long as any other full-size pickup on the market. However, Dodge owners tend to have more choices from the dealership, and thus more varied tire life. A typical V8 half-ton Ram 1500 with all-season tires can expect between 40,000 and 60,000 miles from the factory rubber.
Heavier trucks, like the Ram 2500, usually wear out tires faster due to excess weight and increased power. These trucks can expect tires to last 30,000 to 45,000 miles, assuming the truck isn’t doing too much heavy-duty work.
Dodge truck tire life depends largely on the type of tire. Mud tires, which are popular on all Dodge trucks, have the shortest lifespan of all. These tires can be significantly worn at 20,000 or 30,000 miles, especially if the truck is driven aggressively. All-terrains fare much better than mud tires on all types of Dodge trucks.
How Long Do Dodge Van Tires Last?
Dodge vans are usually just a box on a truck chassis. As a result, van tires will last about as long as the equivalent truck’s tires will. For example, if you’re driving a 2WD Dodge 2500 van, its tire life will be comparable to a 2WD Ram 2500 truck.
One possible difference is driving style, as truck owners often drive more aggressively than commercial van drivers. Dodge van owners report tire lifespans ranging from 35,000 miles to 60,000 miles or more, which is likely due to careful driving and regular fleet maintenance.
How to Make Dodge Tires Last Longer
If you’re concerned about how long your Dodge tires will last, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to extend the life of your tires and save money on repairs and replacements. First, follow all of the manufacturer’s tire rotation, alignment, balancing, and maintenance schedules—to the letter if possible.
Additionally, avoid driving aggressively as much as possible. This can be difficult in a performance car like the Hellcat, but it can drastically change how long your tires last.
Choosing the right size tire is especially important for performance cars. It’s common for drivers to ditch the factory tires and install wider performance tires, which reduce tire spin and improve handling.
Finally, choose the right kind of replacement tires for your vehicle. If you’re driving only on the pavement, there’s really no need for mud tires on a truck if you’re concerned about tire life. A good set of all-terrain tires will work well on just about everything in Dodge’s lineup. Winter tires are also a good choice for longevity in northern climates.
Also, be sure to use 4WD properly if you’re driving a truck or van. Using 4WD on dry pavement can ruin your drivetrain due to binding, as it’s only designed to be used on loose ground. Engaging 4WD on dry pavement strains almost every part involved, and the tires are usually the first victim of this mistake.
About The Author
Tyler Herndon
Working as a restoration tech on exclusively Mopar offerings of the late 60’s and early 70’s honed the skills to build what I consider the most prestigious make of American cars of that era. The iconic slant six, behemoth 426 Hemi and everything in between shaped my view on the automotive world. I’ve translated those skills towards vehicles that “everyman” has access to enjoy and Mopar influence still plays a significant role.
Read More About Tyler Herndon