2021 Ford Explorer Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

When it comes to keeping your 2021 Ford Explorer performing safely and efficiently, maintaining the right tire specifications is essential. Whether you are daily driving an XLT or carving corners in a twin-turbo ST, knowing your exact tire sizes, pressures, and wheel specs will save you time and money.

Here is your comprehensive ASE-certified guide to the 2021 Ford Explorer’s tire and wheel specs.

Quick answer

• OEM tire size: 255/65R18 (Base/XLT), 255/55R20 (Limited), or 275/45R21 (ST/Platinum)
• Recommended cold tire pressure: 35 PSI front / 35 PSI rear (check door placard)
• Bolt pattern: 5x114.3 mm (5x4.5")
• Wheel size: 18x8.5", 20x8.5", or 21x9" (Offset +35mm to +40mm)
• Load index/speed rating: 111H (18"), 110V (20"), 107V (21")
• Spare tire size: T165/70D18 (compact temporary spare)
• TPMS frequency: 315 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

The 2021 Ford Explorer is offered with a few different wheel and tire combinations depending on the trim level and optional packages selected.

Note: Always verify your specific vehicle's specs by checking the tire information placard located on the driver’s side door jamb.

Recommended replacement tires

If you are due for a new set of rubber, here are a few popular and highly rated options for the 2021 Explorer across different price tiers:

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S (Premium): The gold standard for SUVs. Excellent tread life, quiet highway ride, and superior wet traction. Highly recommended for the 18-inch and 20-inch setups.
2. Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season (Performance/Premium): A fantastic choice for the Explorer ST’s 21-inch wheels, offering great grip and handling characteristics without completely sacrificing ride comfort.
3. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (Mid-Range/Off-Road): Perfect for the Timberline trim or anyone looking to add some mild off-road capability and aggressive styling to their Explorer.
4. General AltiMAX RT43/RT45 (Budget-Friendly): A solid, dependable all-season tire that won't break the bank while still providing confident handling and a smooth ride.

When to inflate to max load psi

Note: The 2021 Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV, not a Heavy-Duty (HD) truck. You generally do not need to inflate your tires to the maximum PSI listed on the tire sidewall.

Always stick to the 35 PSI recommended by Ford on the door placard for normal driving. If you are towing a heavy trailer or loading the vehicle to its maximum payload capacity, you may increase the rear tire pressure by 2–3 PSI to help stabilize the load, but never exceed the maximum cold pressure rating stamped on the tire sidewall (usually 44–51 PSI for passenger/SUV tires).

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Bolt Pattern: 5x114.3 mm (5x4.5 inches)
• Lug Nut Thread Size: M14 x 1.5
• Lug Nut Torque: 150 lb-ft (204 Nm)

Mechanic's Tip: Ford uses a heavy M14 wheel stud on the newer Explorers, which requires a surprisingly high torque spec of 150 lb-ft. Always use a calibrated torque wrench. Do not use an impact gun to blindly hammer the lug nuts on, as this can warp the brake rotors or stretch the wheel studs.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

1. Inner Edge Wear on the Rear Tires: The Explorer features an independent rear suspension that can gain excessive negative camber if heavily loaded or if the alignment is out of spec. This will chew through the inside edge of the rear tires. Get a four-wheel alignment annually.
2. Swollen Lug Nuts: Ford is notorious for using two-piece lug nuts (a steel core with a chrome tin cap). Over time, moisture gets trapped between the layers, causing the cap to swell. This makes it impossible to fit a standard 21mm socket over them. Consider replacing them with solid, one-piece aftermarket lug nuts.
3. Harsh Ride on 21-inch Wheels: The ST models with 275/45R21 tires have very short sidewalls. While this improves handling, it makes the tires highly susceptible to pothole damage, sidewall bubbling, and bent rims. Maintain proper tire pressure to protect your wheels.

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