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Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT 1994-2014: Tires General Information and Specs

Do you want to upgrade the tires on your Mustang for better handling and performance, or maybe just replace a set of worn out tires? Need to know how to identify or properly maintain your tires? This article contains everything you need to know to maintain your tires and how to shop for new ones.

By Brett Foote - October 6, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT (1994-2014).

Tires are, quite simply, one of the most important and underrated components of the modern automobile. Those four bands of rubber are the only contact that our cars have with the road, and we entrust them to keep those two connected as we travel down the highway at speed. And much like every other part, tires eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Checking the condition of your tires regularly is important not only for maintaining peak performance and fuel economy, but also for preventing accidents.

There are also many different kinds of tires available in a wide variety of sizes, tread patterns, and speed and mileage ratings. Your specific needs will go a long way in determining the type of tire you ultimately purchase. Is your Mustang a garage queen that only gets driven on sunny days, or is it your daily driver in a rainy or snowy climate? Maybe you need a tire that can run on the road and on the weekend at the drag strip. Regardless of how you use your Mustang, here are some important things to keep in mind when shopping for tires, or just simply maintaining the ones you have.

Tire Basics

How to Read a Tire Sidewall

Everything you need to know about a tire is contained in that string of letters and numbers engraved on the sidewall, which looks something like the P275/40R17 shown in Figure 1. The letter "P" at the beginning indicates that your tire is an American tire intended for passenger vehicles. No letter indicates a European metric tire, while the letters "LT" indicate that the tire is intended for light trucks.

The first three-digit number to the right of the letter, such as "215" or "275," indicates the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from one side to the other. This number is followed by a slash mark, and the two digit number that follows is the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is the measured height of the tire as a cross section to its width. In our example above, the aspect ratio is 40, which means that the height is 40% of the width.

The R that follows the aspect ratio stands for radial, which means that the layers of rubber in the tire run radially across it. The last number indicates the wheel diameter, which in our example means that the tire is made to fit on a 17-inch wheel.

You may also see some additional markings on the tire, including the load index (maximum load the tire can support), speed rating (maximum speed capability of the tire), or a traction grade.

Figure 1. Learning how to read the numbers and letters on a tire will tell you its size, type, and performance.

Choosing the Right Tire for Your Mustang

What kind of driving do you do? Is your Mustang a daily driver, weekend warrior, or show queen? Do you live in a sunny and dry climate, or one that gets battered with rain or snow? Do you prefer cruising along at slow speeds or whipping around corners on a twisty road? Summer tires are great if you don't have to worry about slippery conditions, but all-season and even snow tires should be considered if you do.

Aside from these considerations, budget must also be considered. There are tires available in every price range, but the maximum amount you can spend will limit your options. Generally, better performance equals a higher price tag.

There are a lot of quality options available for reasonable prices, however. If you aren't looking to shave 1/10 of a second off your lap time at the local track, you can find quality tires in just about any price range. There is a wealth of great information available to you in online reviews and forums when it comes to tire choices.

Figure 2. How you use your Mustang and your budget will determine what kind of tires to buy.

What Size Tire Will Fit My Mustang?

Seeing as how you are a Mustang owner, we can imagine that you might want the widest tire possible underneath your car. Wider tires lead to better traction and looks, so it's no surprise that enthusiasts have tested the limits in regards to what they can squeeze underneath the wheel wells.

If you have a '94-'98 model, the biggest tire you can fit is a 9" up front and 10.5" in the rear. The '99-'04 models have a little bit more space in the front, though most recommend not exceeding 9" or 10.5" in the rear. The same size applies to the '99-'04 Cobra with IRS, but some have experienced clearance issues with the rear when running a 17" wheel. 18" wheels appear to work just fine.

The '05-present Mustangs can handle up to a 9.5" tire in front and a 10" in the rear. Thanks to improved fenderwell clearance over previous models, you can even fit a 20" wheel and tire in newer models with no problems.

Figure 3. Most Mustang owners want the widest tires they can fit.

Scheduled Maintenance

Tires should be inspected regularly to maximize their life expectancy, performance, fuel economy, and safety. Tire pressure should be checked every two to four weeks and air should be added if necessary. Never exceed the maximum PSI rating for your tires, which is engraved in the tire's sidewall. Changes in temperature can cause your car's tire pressure to vary, and a slow loss of pressure over time is normal.

When checking your tire pressure, also check your tires for any damage and to make sure the tread depth isn't getting low. Look for any nails or other punctures, rips, or bulges in the tire. Your tires should wear evenly, and uneven wear can indicate a problem with alignment or other suspension components. Tires should be rotated in the interval noted in your car's manual.

Checking tread depth can be completed quickly and easily with a tread depth gauge or a penny. Stick a penny down in between your tire's tread, upside down, with Lincoln facing towards you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tires have worn down to the point where a new set is needed. Tires should generally be replaced if the tread is 4/32" or less.

    • Figure 4. This diagram shows how improper suspension alignment can cause different types of tire wear.
    • Figure 5. Tread depth can be checked with a tread depth gauge, or with a penny.

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