Tires
Tires...yea, maybe one of these days... but for now, get LT rated tires for your Astro/Safari van and you won't regret it :)
BFGoodrich AT KO2 are always brought up for those that need a strong off-road tire, but definitely aren't the only option esp if you don't go off-road.
Tire Pressure
Refer to the sticker on the vehicle(door jam/manual) for recommended tire pressures(but never exceed the pressure marked on the tire itself).
Always check the tire pressure when cold, not driven for a few hours, preferably overnight where the sun isn't heating them unequally.
Use an accurate gauge, cheapo gauges are known to be problematic and more affected by operating temperature.
Check your tire pressure once per month and before any long trip.
Remember that temperature affects pressure (at 80°f a tire will read 30psi, same tire at 30°f will read 25psi).
Load in the vehicle has little affect on pressure, so don't worry about making sure your friends are in the vehicle when checking pressures.
Tires lose about 3.5psi per year using air, 2.2psi per year using nitrogen. Our atmosphere is approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gasses. Skip the nitrogen fills unless it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Under-inflation, overloading, excess speed, high surface/ambient temperatures all have an effect on tire temperatures, when overheated they tend to blow out.
Tire Height/Size Comparisons
I like to use the following site, gives you a nice visual representation of the differences between tire sizes. https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=265-70r15-195-65r15
Tire height chart:
need without taking your van out o
Stock Tire Sizes
Tire Height/Circumference Calculator https://tiresize.com
Tire Size Comparison https://tiresize.com/comparison/
Year Size Tire Height Tire Circumference
2003-2005 215/70-16 27.85039 87.45023
2000-2002 215/75-15 27.69685 86.96811
1995-1999 235/65-15 27.03 84.91
215/75-15 27.69685 86.96811
1990-1994 205/75-15 27.10629 85.11377
245/60-15 26.57480 83.44488
215/75-15 27.69685 86.96811
1989 205/75-15 27.10629 85.11377
1985-1988 195/75-15 26.51574 83.25944
205/75-15 27.10629 85.11377
Metal Studded Snow Tires:
https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D85C4BD5-A2C0-40F9-BA7E-40C54BB0BD50/0/StuddedTireChart.pdf
Prohibited:
Alabama
Texas
Florida
Maryland (except vehicles registered and used in five mountain counties)
Louisiana
Hawaii
Illinois
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Wisconsin
Seasonal restrictions:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Unrestricted:
Colorado
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Kentucky
New Mexico
Vermont
Wyoming
Spare Tire & Winch/Hoist Storage
The doughnut spare tire requires a higher pressure than your full sized tires, usually ~60psi. I like to check this every time I'm under there for some other service, at least every oil change.
The under-body spare tire hoist/winch and cable should always be kept properly cleaned, lubricated, and tightened. Otherwise the cable can rust and/or break apart.
There are some locks that are available that will lock your spare tire to the truck so it would be a little bit harder to steal. Something similar could be made with a threaded rod if you are more concerned with cable failure instead of loss by theft.
