2018 Ram 1500: Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

Quick answer

• OEM tire size: 265/70R17, 275/60R20, or 285/45R22
• Recommended cold tire pressure (door placard): 35-39 PSI (front), 35-39 PSI (rear) — check your specific vehicle's door jamb sticker.
• Bolt pattern: 5x139.7 (5x5.5")
• Wheel size: 17x7", 20x9", or 22x9"
• Load index/speed rating: 111S, 113S, 114S
• Spare tire size: 265/70R17
• TPMS frequency: 433 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

Recommended replacement tires

Choosing the right replacement tire depends on your budget and driving needs. Here are a few popular options for the 2018 Ram 1500:

• $$$ — Michelin Defender LTX M/S: A premium all-season highway tire known for its long tread life, comfortable ride, and excellent wet and dry traction. It's a great choice for daily driving and long road trips.
• $$ — Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT: A solid mid-range option that comes as original equipment on many Ram 1500s. It provides a good balance of comfort, handling, and all-season capability.
• $ — Kumho Crugen HT51: A budget-friendly highway tire that doesn't skimp on performance. It offers respectable all-season traction, a quiet ride, and a long-lasting tread compound, making it a great value.

When to inflate to max load PSI

The 2018 Ram 1500 is a half-ton truck. Unlike its heavy-duty (HD) counterparts (2500/3500), you should generally not inflate its tires to the maximum pressure listed on the tire's sidewall. The recommended cold tire pressure on your door jamb sticker is engineered for the best balance of ride comfort, handling, and tire wear for everyday, unloaded driving. Only consider increasing the pressure towards the max load PSI when you are carrying very heavy loads or towing a trailer that places significant tongue weight on the rear axle, and even then, you may only need to increase the rear tire pressure. Consult your owner's manual for specific guidance on tire pressures when towing or hauling.

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Lug nut torque: 130 lb-ft (176 Nm)
• Lug nut socket size: 22mm
• Tightening pattern: Use a star or crisscross pattern to ensure the wheel is seated evenly against the hub. Tighten the lug nuts in sequence to about 50% of the final torque, then repeat the pattern to bring them to 100% of the specified 130 lb-ft.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

While the 2018 Ram 1500 is a robust truck, a few common issues can affect tire wear and performance:

• Front-end alignment: Like any independent front suspension (IFS) vehicle, the Ram 1500 is susceptible to alignment issues, particularly if used off-road or on rough pavement. Watch for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges of the front tires, which is a classic sign of a bad alignment.
• TPMS sensor faults: The 433 MHz TPMS sensors can sometimes fail, leading to a persistent warning light on the dash even if tire pressures are correct. The internal battery can die, or the sensor itself can be damaged during tire changes.
• Vibrations with larger aftermarket tires: If you upgrade to larger or more aggressive all-terrain/mud-terrain tires, you may notice new vibrations. This is often due to improper balancing, as larger tires require more precision to balance correctly. Always use a shop that has experience with balancing large truck tires.

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