I want to replace my tires. Can I choose a different size than the original size?
Your tire size is not “255/65/17” it is correctly expressed as “P255/65R17 108S”, and yes, all of that is important, especially the last bit which everyone leaves off but is extremely critical. I’m assuming you want to change sizes because you have discovered that your size is uncommon, offers few choices and they are all more money than you want to pay. Welcome to modern vehicle ownership. All cars and trucks are like that now. Tires get bigger and more expensive with every model year. 4×2 versions of your truck use a P235/70R17 108S sized tire which is narrower (less rubber on the road = less traction) but approximately the same diameter and has the same 108 load index. Selection and pricing is hardly any better though. Or you could use P255/70R17 110S which will have the same width but will be taller thus inducing some odometer and speedometer error. This size isn’t any cheaper or more common. Any other size will cause too many problems. Either too low a load carrying capacity (less
Can you? Technically, yes you could get some skinnier tires (like 255’s or even 245’s) and save a couple of bucks. Make sure you select the proper sidewall profile ratio to keep the diameter of the rolling tire/wheel combo correct if you do this (you’ll need a higher profile 255 tire like a 255/70 or 255/75 instead of a “65” to keep the speedo reading right and to keep the suspension geometry correct for handling purposes). Would you want to? I wouldn’t. That’s a big truck. It needs the width of those tires to help it handle safely in case of an emergency. I wouldn’t go any narrower than the 265 width on those new tires myself.
