--- title: "2020-2025 Ford Explorer Tire Size: 255/65R18" description: "Every one of 4 factory tire sizes fitted to the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer, by trim and wheel diameter, with recommended cold pressures. Bolt pattern 5x114.3. Lug nuts torque to 100 lb-ft." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/tires" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2020-2025 Ford Explorer Tire Sizes, Pressure and Bolt Pattern Every one of 4 factory tire sizes fitted to the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer, by trim and wheel diameter, with recommended cold pressures. Bolt pattern 5x114.3. Lug nuts torque to 100 lb-ft. **Quick answer**: The 2020-2025 Ford Explorer came with 4 factory tire sizes depending on trim, from 255/65R18 (Base, XLT, Active (18-in)) up. Check the table for your trim. ## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer factory tire sizes (High confidence) | Trim / wheels | Tire size | Pressure (F/R) | Rating | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Base, XLT, Active (18-in) | 255/65R18 | 33 psi | 111H | | Limited, King Ranch, Platinum, ST-Line, ST (20-in) | 255/55R20 | 33 psi | 107H | | ST with High-Performance/Street Pack, ST-Line 21-in option | 275/45R21 | 38 psi | N/A | | Timberline (2021-2024, all-terrain) | 265/65R18 | 35 psi | N/A | ## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer bolt pattern and lug nut torque | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x114.3 | | Lug nut torque | 100 lb-ft | | Spare tire | Compact temporary spare under the cargo floor; Timberline carries a full-size spare | Tighten in a star pattern with a torque wrench, then re-check after roughly 50 miles. An impact gun routinely overshoots the figure above by 100 lb-ft or more, which warps rotors and stretches studs. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These tire sizes specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2020 through 2025, the U625 (6th generation), mid-size 3-row suv (rwd-based cd6 platform, rwd/awd; 2025 refresh). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2020 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020) - [2021 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021) - [2022 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022) - [2023 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023) - [2024 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024) - [2025 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025) ## What changed during the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2020 | Generation launch on RWD-based CD6 platform; 10-speed automatic across the board; hybrid and 400-hp ST debut; rocky launch quality (see common problems) | | 2021 | King Ranch and off-road-flavored Timberline (265/65R18 ATs, full-size spare) added; Platinum keeps 365-hp 3.0L | | 2022 | ST-Line (ST looks, 2.3L) added; ST available RWD; 3.0L Platinum/King Ranch rated 400 hp | | 2024 | Carryover; final year for the 3.3L hybrid and King Ranch/Timberline/Limited trims | | 2025 | Major refresh: new fascias, new interior with 13.2-in SYNC 4A touchscreen, trims consolidated to Active/ST-Line/Platinum/ST; hybrid dropped; 2.3L switches to FL-2127 oil filter (~5.0 qt) | ## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer tire sizes: common questions ### What size tires does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer take? It varies by trim and wheel size, 4 factory fitments exist, from 255/65R18 up. Check the placard on the driver's door jamb for the size your specific vehicle left the factory with. ### What is the bolt pattern on a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? 5x114.3. That is the figure you need when shopping for aftermarket wheels; centre bore and offset still have to match separately. ### What should the tire pressure be on a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? 33 PSI front and rear, measured cold. The number moulded into the tire sidewall is the tire's maximum, not the vehicle's recommendation. Do not inflate to it. ### What is the lug nut torque for a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? 100 lb-ft, tightened in a star pattern with a torque wrench. Impact guns routinely overshoot this by 100 lb-ft or more, which warps rotors and stretches studs. ### Does the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer come with a spare tire? Compact temporary spare under the cargo floor; Timberline carries a full-size spare. ## Sources - [2020 Explorer Owner's Manual, Capacities and Specifications (fordservicecontent.com)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6725&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1977553&ProcUid=G1988500&userMarket=CAN&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) - [CarCareTruth, 2020-2026 Explorer oil type & capacity (from OEM manuals)](https://www.carcaretruth.com/engine-oil/ford-explorer-6th-gen) - [NHTSA recall 23V-675 / Ford 23S55, rear axle bolt replacement](https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=23V675) - [Ford recall 22S27 (NHTSA 22V-712), rear axle bolt software remedy](https://www.ford.com/support/campaign-details/22s27/) - [NHTSA recall 23V-342 (Ford 23S23), 360-camera blue image](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V342-5662.PDF) - [Levittown Ford parts, FA-1947 / L1MZ-9601-A engine air filter (3.0L/3.3L)](https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/l1mz-9601-a.html) - [Ford Parts Giant, JX6Z-19N619-B cabin air filter, 2020 Explorer](https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/oem-2020-ford-explorer-cabin_air_filter.html) - [ExplorerST.org, factory H6 battery, fluid capacities (Mercon ULV, 75W-85 rear axle)](https://www.explorerst.org/threads/car-battery-recommendations.9879/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [Goodyear / Mavis, 2021-2024 Explorer OE tire sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Ford/Explorer/2024) - [Car and Driver, 2020 Explorer specs (fuel tank, curb weight, towing)](https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs/2020/ford_explorer_ford-explorer_2020) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2012-2019 Ford Explorer tire sizes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/tires). ## More for the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/battery) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.