If anyone is interested, General Altimax RT 43,is a good "all" season tire,favorable winter reviews as well,good topic on them in the tire forum at bobistheoilguy.Google it.
Contemplating getting a set myself.

 

Tpms

Good morning,

Just got a new 2015 Escape SE. Ordering a tire and wheel package for the Escape. Any downsides to not getting the TPMS? If I do get them, is any programming necessary when switching from summer to winter setup, or do the sensors adapt automatically?



Thanks in advance!

 

Good morning,

Just got a new 2015 Escape SE. Ordering a tire and wheel package for the Escape. Any downsides to not getting the TPMS? If I do get them, is any programming necessary when switching from summer to winter setup, or do the sensors adapt automatically?



Thanks in advance!

I usually do not get tmps for the winter setup. No real road work going on, so chance of nails in tires etc is lower....in theory. All you need to do is check your pressure every so often and deal with the light on on the dash. If you do go tmps there should be a little remote tool you can use (buy of amazon) that you click and hold near the wheel and the car learns it. I forgot the pattern....I can get the instructions. I just got new ones for my gf's fusion.

 

Mine adapted automatically on both my 2011 and 2014 but others have said that they had to get dealer to do it. If you do get the TPMS you will see a warning all the time.

 

I didn't get the TPMS installed in my snow tires. In Canada they are not a legal requirement. The orange "icon" flashes for 15 seconds when you start the engine then the flashing stops and "icon" stays on. Just like the high beam icon. No big deal vs. the $$$ saved.


Wade

 

I have the stock Ford 17" rims

I'm looking to get winter tires and steelies. I have read in this post that the 16" steel rims have very little clearance on the brake calipers. I'm assuming the 17" steel wheel would be a better choice?

 

As long as there is clearance you are good. I had maybe 2mm or 3mm of clearance on my ms3 with steelies, but tirerack and the guys on the forum all recommended it. I never had an issue.

 

jumping in...

I'm in Toronto with a 2013 Ford Escape SE with 17" wheels (2wd)...

I've been interested in winter tires (esp since no awd) and noticed that
Canadian Tire has the Michelin ice 3's on sale for $148 each...

great price so I plan to pick up 4 235/55/R17's next week...

these are the same as my stockers....

I'm now looking for 4 steel rims and notice that the OEM 17" steelies have a ridiculous price! I can buy a set of 4 at costco for $350 all-in delivered...

anyone know about these?

also I'll look for a used set of the OEM steels in my area....

any advice? I'm going to pass on the TPMS due to ridiculous $...

cheers...

 

I'm in Toronto with a 2013 Ford Escape SE with 17" wheels (2wd)...

I've been interested in winter tires (esp since no awd) and noticed that
Canadian Tire has the Michelin ice 3's on sale for $148 each...

great price so I plan to pick up 4 235/55/R17's next week...

these are the same as my stockers....

I'm now looking for 4 steel rims and notice that the OEM 17" steelies have a ridiculous price! I can buy a set of 4 at costco for $350 all-in delivered...

anyone know about these?

also I'll look for a used set of the OEM steels in my area....

any advice? I'm going to pass on the TPMS due to ridiculous $...

cheers...

Shop around at your local tire stores. My local tire dealer matched CTC prices on Michelin ice3 and provided a better price on OEM hub centric steel rims. Costco was too much of a pain trying to get an appointment, rim delivery, etc.


Wade

 

any reason you are set on 17"

many 16" steel wheels will fit. I got mine off craigslist $100 for four. tire would be slightly cheaper too.

 

I bought a set of steelies for my last car from Costco......had no issues with them, and they were a decent price.

 

I have a question... there are some winterforce tires for sale that have been used one year but that are from a 2012 Escape. The bolt pattern is the same but the size is 225/60/17. The size for the new escape is 225/65R17. They come with rims

Will they be ok?

 

As long as the offset too is the same or close I think you'll be okay. The tire from the 2012 Escape might be a little taller then your stock ones but only by an half an inch or about 12-13 mm? So it'll be fine.

 

I priced 16" vs 17" winter wheel setups and the 17's were a 100 ish cheaper than the 16's. That was from Tirerack, mounted and shipped around $660

 

Thanks for the quick reply Much appreciated!

 

I waited a bit and managed to get some GoodYear Ultragrips for 500$ on steelies and TPMS sensors. Used one winter. I think it was a good deal!

Hope they are descent tires. I had an F-150 before with Blizzaks. I expect the Escapay to be a better winter vehicle.

Yes, I call it an Escapay.. not an Escape!

 

Before you buy those tires/wheels, double check the bolt pattern. The 2012 Escape had 5 on 114.3mm, while the later Escapes have 5 on 108mm.

 

Yes, happy I Did. They are off a 2013 with 5x108 bolt pattern. The bolt pattern did change and some sites did not update the info. They just carried it over... hope no one buys the wrong tires.

 

Hey guys I have a question for the more knowledgeable people here.

I might have the chance to snag some OEM 2013 Ford Fusion Rims for use as my winter rims. They're similar to this Ebay Link but of course much cheaper since it's a local Craigslist deal.

I'm curious to know what the larger offset and the 0.5 wider rim width can fit in the 2013 Escape and any problems that might arise.

thanks for any help you guys can give.

 

Those wheel specs:
SIZE: 18" X 8
BOLT PATTERN: 5 X 108
OFFSET: 55

I don't see an issue with this fitting. They are maybe wider than preferred for a winter wheel, but they can fit.

 

I'm curious if anyone who put the 16" rims and wheels have had any issues? I need winter tires but 18" are limited... I am currently looking at the package deals thru tirerack.com.... Any input is appreciated!!

 

Zero issues.
I have 16" steelies wrapped in blizzak ws80's. I suppose the only down side is some lack of feel or lazy feeling in steering? Lots more cushy ride though feels good in winter but the tread is louder on the hwy

 

What year? No issues with brakes? Just wanting to make sure before I take the plunge.... THANKS!

 

Hope this is an ok spot to ask these questions. I have Good Year Ultragrips (snow tires) on my FE (same year as my mom) and she has the stock Michies (all season tires) that come on the Titanium. I tried both in a same stretch of road and noticed the following 3 points below. Please tell me if this is normal (for point 2 and 3). I bought the winter tires used and maybe there is something wrong with them.

1- the winter tires give a better sense of traction and much better braking than my mom's michies. The winter tires feel more solid and planted on the road. ( I think this is 100% normal, no issues here)

2- HOWEVER, the winter tires give me a floating sensation when I'm driving over 80 km/h in snow. Just feels like i'm gliding over snow...

3- HOWEVER, the winter tires seem to corner not as well as my mom's Michies. When I turn a corner it seems to slide a lot... .... (HELP ON THIS ONE WOULD BE PARTICULARLY appreciated). Now obviously, sometimes I do on purpose and give it gas, but sometimes even at slow speeds, it slides...)

Who could check this out for me?? Should I take it in to my local Ford dealer?? During my oil change they inspected and put them as GREEN on the report (which means not worn out) tho.

 

I put Ford steel rims size 17 X 7.5" 5-108 on the vehicle in my signature. It came stock with either 18 or 19" rims. My stock size is 18". I wanted to go with a smaller diameter rim for my winter tires and saw that Ford does sell the Escape in at least one configuration that has the 2.0 ltr, towing, and 17" rims, though not in the Titanium.

For tires I chose Blizzak 215/60R-17. They closely approximate the diameter of my summer tire which is 235/50R-18.

The 17" rims seemed to just fit. I don't think (to know for sure I'd have to try them) 16" rims would work if anyone was thinking along those lines, but 17" is safe and the tire selection for 17" rims is bountiful

 

The 17" rims seemed to just fit. I don't think (to know for sure I'd have to try them) 16" rims would work if anyone was thinking along those lines, but 17" is safe and the tire selection for 17" rims is bountiful

There's 3-4 posts earlier in this thread from people that 16" rims do fit. Selection is also region dependent as well. Where I live it's easier to find tires for 16".

 

but not all 16". test fit before committing.

 

They called and they don't work but I did manage to find some 17" steelies somewhere else. I went and grabbed them that day and took them back to my tire place who luckily had 4 winters of the same brand tire I wanted left in stock for the 17" rims.

 

ya, I just checked and Tirerack doesnt offer a 16" package for the 2017 escapes. which means we're unlikely to find a 16" wheel that fits. They do fairly extensive test fitting.

PS. just for kicks, i specced out a 20" winter tire package. choosing the most expensive tire and rims. total was $3700 dollars. cheapest 17" package was $800

 

Cooper Discoverer True North Tires

Just had new winter tires installed on the Escape on Saturday! Decided to go with the Cooper Discoverer True North tires! Got a great deal on these tires from tirebuyer.com through my work. A 10% discount per tire worked out to be about $125 a tire, and a $70 rebate after that, and I have run Cooper on a few of my other vehicles and always had great experience, so I wanted to stick with Cooper! Another thing that drew me to these tires was the fact that they were 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) rated, and at a significantly cheaper price than some of the other competitors with that rating!

For those who do not know, the 3PMSF rating is defined by Tire Rack by:

A three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol branded on a tire's sidewall indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated.

Our Escape has 18" wheels, and we decided that we wanted to keep the wheels on, but just rotate the tire out. We also wanted to keep the same tread width, as I believe it is sufficient for this Escape, so we were narrowed down a bit and the price was up from the 17" options. We found, at least in these tires, that Cooper had both the 235/50/R18 stock size, and a 235/55/R18 that we could bump the diameter up just shy of an inch. The later option, actually cost $15-$20 a tire cheaper, and for winter months, the slight height gain and extra rubber definitely wouldn't hurt either, so we chose to up the size to a 235/55/R18, and they look and fit great!

This is also the first time we have put winter tires on any vehicle, but my wife has a longer commute, and we want her to be safe here in the Michigan winter conditions, as well as, the all-seasons that came on the Escape from new now have 36500 miles on them, and not that much tread left. They are at 4/32nds and I believe we can get one more spring/summer/fall out of them, but it was not sufficient or safe at all for winter.

Check out the pics below for the tires and how they look on the Escape! I myself drive a Jeep, I like the more aggressive tread pattern, and I like the look of the extra rubber as well, so probably when we need new all-seasons in 2020 spring, I will get the 235/55/R18 size as well! But the Escape is looking pretty good I think!

 

Cooper Discoverer True North Tires

Here's the final pics of them on the Escape!

 

Go to Tirerack.com. Enter vehicle specifics. Shop for winter tire and wheel package. Consider going down to 17"...taller sidewall and slightly narrower tire = better snow traction. Lots of other info on "minus - 1" sizing for winter...plus less expensive! I have 2018 w/ 19" package in DC metro area. Here an all seasons tire is good enough.