[jonas1022]

I would check with Tire Rack or even Discount Tire online. Both of them have a chart someplace on their respective sites that can get you where you want to go on sizes without getting into trouble. Also, you could just call the store and the associate can look it up for you if you would rather do that. I wasn't a fan of either, but my last set of Bullitt tires I got from Discount Tire and they really gave me great service. Or mislead me. I also eventually getting a better deal than online as they had a sale or promotion going on for Kumho tires. It was like getting one tire plus all the mounting, balancing, warranty and all for free compared to the online site!

 

[jonas1022]

I am not sure the wider tires will like it, but I don't believe that a credible mod kit will make it so bad that you couldn't drive the thing with the slightly wider tires.

 

[jonas1022]

And we do like that grill Scott... :hyst:

 

[jonas1022]

Any idea on the increase in width? If, when I replace the Conticraps I was thinking of an increase in tire size. You've got my interest.

 

[jonas1022]

Standard wheel weights won't corrode the wheel if the right type is used. The shop should know not to use ones designed for steel wheels - the right ones have a coating on them and look 'plastic'.

A static or dynamic balance has little to do with where weights are placed and more to do with how you determine where to place those weights. A static balancer uses a bubble scale which weighs where the heavy spot in a tire is. Very few shops use them anymore, and they're mostly in home garages as a cheap alternative to a dynamic balancer. Every shop I have been in uses a dynamic balancer, which will spin the tire to find the heavy spot. If you don't want to see outboard wheel weights, you can use sticky-backed weights on 16" wheels for the Escape. There is not enough caliper clearance for 15" wheels. Another alternative to standard wheel weights is what I use - balancing beads. You just pour three or four ounces of these glass beads and dessicant into the tire and they will stay at the bottom of the tire as it rotates, keeping the heavy spot there and firmly planted on the ground.

Beads? Why the dessicant if you have glass beads? Not like the beads are going to corrode...