Vastly Improved Road Handling Discovery

Hi All!
First, I want to say that I am one with a genuine "love/hate" relationship with my Windstar. My 2000 model is my second one (first being a '96), and my next one will be a 2006 with the 4.2 engine.

I love the vehicle! I hate it's "problems"........but so goes life!

Anyway, I had the opertunity to purchase 4 aluminum wheels with rubber (in VERY good condition) from a local Orlando junk yard for $20 each. These wheels were off a 2000 Taurus, 16" dia with lower profile tires than came on the Windstar. Also, the overall tire diameter is smaller as well.

I mounted the Taurus wheels on the Windstar which lowered the overall height a little over 1/2", and took it for a ride.......WOW! What a difference! The lowered center of gravity coupled with lower tire profile didn't exactly turn it into a sports car, but it DID change the handling characteristics so much so, that insted of handling like a 100 ton Blue Whale on wheels, it's actually FUN to drive! (kinda/sorta)

Interesting!

What is the complete tire spec? Any gas mileage impact?

If the overall tire diameter is smaller, then your wheels will be making more turns over the same distance as compared to the stock wheels, which would make the speedometer read faster than you are really traveling......and the odometer to read slightly more distance than you really traveled.
If you have a GPS unit, you could make a close comparison of the reading of the GPS as compared to your speedometer.
This would also result in a inaccurate MPG calculation.

I am not stating any of this as being against the different tires and wheels, just want you to be aware of the difference that could be present.

According to Michelin.com Taurus 2000 uses this tire specification: P215/60R16 94T
Our Ford Windstar can use: P205/70R15 95S or P215/70R15 97T (mine uses these, and they look huge).

Maybe using a low profile wheels will improve road handling, but that's just my opinion. In my City some streets are not so good for low profiles wheels, so in my case I will stick to the ones I have now :/

regards

I am aware of the differences in distance/speed vs stock wheels and tires. Having said that, I want to report that the overall "handling" has improved so much that it is worth it to continue to use the same set-up.

Mileage: My wife drives the Windstar to and from work every day, same route, same distance etc. Here is what we've noticed; Even though gas prices have gone up a bit since I first installed the smaller wheels & tires, our weekly gas "bill" has gone down a bit. Enough to be noticeable, even for her. Not exactly "scientific" but worthy of notice.

We have "nasty" pot-holes here in Orlando as well. No problems with bent rims. The Taurus rubber seems to have sufficent height to deal with impacts.

Now, if I could just fit a formula-one Race Car steering wheel!....LOL

Could you take a picture of your Windstar in order to see how "esthetical" it looks :D maybe with high gas prices of today it's worth it to give it a try.

Btw, post your tires specs to have more details of this "mod".

regards

I fitted my 2000 windstar with 17" Moda wheels and Kumho Soleus KH16 tires (235/55/17) and my handling and traction greatly improved over the horrible Goodyear Integrity 215/70/15 that came stock. I kept the overall tire diameter about the same, around 26". The stock wheels felt soft when turning or going through corners and slid all over the place in rain and light snow, but the new ones takes turns better and handle snow better.

According to Michelin.com Taurus 2000 uses this tire specification: P215/60R16 94T
Our Ford Windstar can use: P205/70R15 95S or P215/70R15 97T (mine uses these, and they look huge).

Maybe using a low profile wheels will improve road handling, but that's just my opinion. In my City some streets are not so good for low profiles wheels, so in my case I will stick to the ones I have now :/

regards


Hello, my first post here. Loving all the info and advice!

I have an '01 Sport. I'm running, and bought it with, P215/65R16. I have also heard this was an optional size on the Sport models, and that "stock" was P225/60R16.

Sorry, but I don't have speed or load ratings offhand. :uhoh:

IMHO, the Taurus wheel/tire combination as posted by the OP is not that far off.

My apologies; duplicate post.